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VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS.

From the Book: Overcoming Arthritis - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 2001 -- David Brownstein MD, Jonathan V Wright MD

Vitamins are organic substances found in food that are necessary in small amounts to maintain the body's metabolism and to promote a healthy hormonal system and a strong immune system. There are over fifty vitamins known today. Since vitamins are not manufactured in our bodies, they must be absorbed from our food. They act as co-factors or catalysts for various reactions in the body, and they are best absorbed when in their natural form as whole food components. Those who suffer from a chronic disorder often have depleted levels of some vitamins.

Minerals are inorganic substances found in the earth's crust. As with vitamins, minerals are necessary for health and to treat and prevent illness. Minerals, like vitamins, are also depleted in the food supply due to poor farming techniques and food processing. Examples of minerals are calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper. As mentioned above with vitamins, my experience has shown that those with a chronic disorder will often have sub-optimal levels of minerals. It is rare to find a patient suffering from a chronic disorder who does not have some nutritional deficiencies.

A basic multiple vitamin-mineral product is important to use on a daily basis. It provides a wide range of necessary substances, and this variety prevents any single nutrient from becoming depleted.

Maintaining adequate levels of vitamins and minerals in the body is essential to overcoming chronic illness and achieving good health. Those suffering with a chronic illness, such as arthritis, will need a proper nutritional evaluation. This evaluation should include the following tests:

1. Hair analysis for mineral content, including calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, chromium and selenium levels.

2. Serum analysis for magnesium, iron, zinc. Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin D levels.

In my experience, many of the other nutritional tests that are currently available do not provide consistent results. I believe that taking a good health history (including a diet history), doing a thorough physical exam, and looking at the results of the above tests can provide useful information on the* nutritional status of the individual.

Fifty years ago, the biochemist Dr. Roger Williams wrote a book on this concept titled. Biochemical Individuality. In 1956, Dr. Williams described the differences in the anatomy and biochemistry in each person.2 These differences explain why some individuals need higher levels (and some, lower levels) of nutrients than others.

Each person is unique and has a different biochemical make-up. Therefore, when using nutritional supplements, the best results can be achieved by the creation of a unique nutritional program tailored by a health care practitioner to the patient's own biochemical and nutritional needs.

Vitamin B-3 (Niacinamide)

One particular nutrient, niacinamide (Vitamin B-3), is often very effective at reversing symptoms of arthritis. Research done in 1949 showed that niacinamide improved joint mobility and pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In 1996, these results were confirmed, and it was further shown that the use of niacinamide allowed the patients to reduce their anti-inflammatory medications.4 In a majority of arthritic patients, I have found good results (reduced joint swelling, increased mobility

of joints) using niacinamide at doses of 1500-3000mg per day. These doses need to be monitored by a nutritionally oriented health care practitioner. The following case history can describe the benefits of niacinamide in treating arthritic disorders.

CASE STUDY. Betty, age 58, had suffered with osteoarthritis for over ten years. “The aching in my joints is intolerable. It is a deep ache, that goes to the core of my joints, ” she said. Betty had tried

numerous anti-inflammatory medications that provided some relief, but she had side effects to the medications. Upon taking lOOOmg of B-3 niacinamide three times per day, along with increasing her water intake, the joint pain began to subside within two weeks. “When I started taking B-3 niacinamide, the joint pain began improving immediately. I could not understand how taking a vitamin could make me feel so good. Recently, I went on a trip for two weeks and forgot to take the B-3 niacinamide. At the end of the trip I started to get the pain and stiffness back. Now that I am taking it again, the joint pain and stiffness is gone, ” she claimed.

Supplement Recommendations:

The remainder of this section will deal with specific vitamin and mineral recommendations that allow the body to overcome chronic illness and promote healing reactions. Though this list does not cover all vitamins and minerals, it does contain the items that I have found most effective in treating a chronic illness such as arthritis. They include the following:

1. A multiple vitamin-mineral product As previously mentioned, a good multi-vitamin mineral product is essential to providing the body with a rich source of nutrients. Furthermore, it can help keep imbalances from occurring because it contains a wide variety of different vitamins and minerals.

2. Vitamin A, Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant. Inadequate levels of this vitamin may lead to hypothyroidism. Vitamin A is found in animal sources. I recommend 10,000 IU per day. Pregnant women may need lower levels.

3. Vitamin B Complex, The B vitamins have a wide range of functions in the body, from maintaining the immune system to affecting all of the hormonal glands. B vitamins are commonly stripped from processed food. Inadequate Vitamin B levels will contribute to chronic disease. B vitamins are found in animal products, grains, nuts and seeds. Recommended dose: B-100, two times a day.

4. Vitamin B-3 fNiacinamide): Recommended dose: l, 500-3000mg per day. Please see Niacinamide section above.

5. Vitamin B-6 Recommended dose: lOOmg per day.

6. Vitamin B-12, Vitamin B12 is found only in foods of animal origin, such as dairy, eggs, meat, fish and poultry. It is often deficient in those with a chronic illness. Recommended dose: lOOOmg by injection two to three times per week. I recommend only the hydroxycobalamine form of injectable

Vitamin B12 and not the cyanocobalamine form of injectable B12.

7. Vitamin C, Vitamin C functions as an important anti-oxidant in the body. Vitamin C is necessary to promote healing and is essential to maintaining joint integrity in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis patients have been shown to have a reduced Vitamin C level in their blood serum. The major dietary sources of Vitamin C are * fruits and vegetables. Recommended dose: 3000-5000mg per day.

8. Vitamin D, Vitamin D is necessary for maintaining the structural integrity of bones and teeth. It also is important for maintaining a healthy hormonal system. I have found very low levels of Vitamin D in patients with arthritis. Vitamin D is found in animal sources, and it can also be made in our bodies by exposure to sunlight. Recommended dose: 1000-2000 Units per day. Vitamin D levels should be checked periodically.

9. Vitamin E, Vitamin E and Vitamin C have synergistic effects in the body. Supplementing with Vitamin E has been shown to reduce osteoarthritic symptoms.5 Vitamin E is found in unrefined vegetable oils, animal products, nuts and leafy green vegetables. Recommended dose: 400-800 I.U. per day of mixed Tocopherols.

Mineral Recommendations:

As previously mentioned, adequate mineral levels are necessary to promote health and initiate healing of a chronic illness. For arthritic patients, the most common minerals I recommend supplementing are the following:

1. Magnesium, Magnesium is essential for catalyzing hundreds of reactions in the body. A diet high in carbohydrates and processed food can cause a deficiency of magnesium. It is impossible to maintain health without adequate magnesium levels. Inadequate magnesium levels lead to a poorly functioning immune and hormonal system. Magnesium is found in animal products, nuts and vegetables. Recommended dose: 400mg per day.

2. Calcium, Calcium is essential to maintain the structural integrity of the body; it is a vital component of strong bones and teeth. Inadequate calcium intake is associated with osteoporosis. Drinking large amounts of soda can lead to low calcium levels. In addition, adequate Vitamin D levels are necessary for proper absorption of calcium. Calcium is found in vegetables, nuts, dairy and fish.

Recommended dose: 1000-1500mg per day of calcium citrate.

3. Selenium, Selenium acts as an anti-oxidant in the body. It is also important for proper thyroid function. Studies have shown (as has my clinical experience) that low selenium levels are common in arthritic patients.6 Selenium is found in nuts, seafood and grains. Recommended dose: 200-400 micrograms per day.

4. Zinc, Zinc has anti-inflammatory effects. Zinc has been shown to reduce joint swelling, morning stiffness and the subjective assessment of overall disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. Zinc deficiencies cause problems in the immune system, hormonal system and the prostate gland. Zinc is found in nuts, animal sources and fish. Recommended dose. 25-50mg per day.

5. Copper, Copper also has anti-inflammatory effects. If copper levels are low (information gained by a hair analysis) in an arthritic patient, I use small amounts of copper and have observed good results. One study showed benefits in arthritic patients who wore copper bracelets. Recommended dose: l-4mg per day.