Vitamins, Minerals, and RA.What your body needs | Arthritis Information

It can be difficult to get all the nutrients you need when you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Even if you're eating what seems like a healthy diet, you may still be missing key vitamins and minerals.

Managing RA is enough of a challenge on its own. You don't want to have to deal with a nutritional deficiency as well. This guide looks at common vitamins and minerals that people with RA may be missing and how to make sure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs.

How Does RA Hurt Nutrition?

There are a few key reasons why rheumatoid arthritis and nutritional deficiencies often go together:

RA medications. A number of the medicines that people need for RA can block nutrients from getting into the body. For instance, methotrexate can block the absorption of folic acid and corticosteroids block the absorption of calcium.
Speeded-up metabolism. The chronic inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis triggers the production of chemicals called cytokines. They speed up the metabolism and the breakdown of protein. This means that some people with RA may need more calories and protein to compensate. Otherwise, they're at risk for weight loss and muscle wasting, called cachexia.
RA symptoms. Joint pain and stiffness can make it harder to cook healthy food. If lifting a sauté pan or peeling vegetables is frustrating or painful, you start to do it less. People with RA may unintentionally choose the easiest food options rather than the healthiest.

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http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/biologics-10/vitamins-raLynn, do you know if checking for vit levels are normally done in regular blood test or is it something you need to ask for it to be done?

RA is a nutrional defiency and eating the same diet you ate before the disease will do nothing. The body is out of balance and a few pills now and then will do nothing. The body needs to balanced and that takes time and effort. Simple but not easy.

Thanks Lynn, actually it does benefit you to take vitamins and minerals if there is a deficit, even though your diet might not be ideal the V&M will be beneficial if your body needs them, if not you'll eliminate them. Some V&M can accumulate in your body so you do need to talk with your doctor.

ItHurts, levels aren't usually checked except for a few. Talk to your RD about having some tests for Vit D levels. Lindy