Which deficiencies can cause joint pain?

Joint pain: the ankles, knees and wrists are most often affected

Joint pain is extremely common across the world. In a 2016 study conducted in Europe, for example, 93% of respondents had previously suffered from joint pain, and 1 in 2 had painful joints at the time of the survey (1).

While joint pain primarily affects the ankles, knees and wrists, it can also impact the central part of the skeleton (the spine or pelvis), amongst others.

Which disorders cause joint pain?

Joint pain can be caused by many disorders and diseases, the most common being osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease characterised by the breakdown of cartilage. It is much more common in older people because of natural wear and tear of cartilage, but also affects those who are overweight, sportspeople and post-menopausal women.

Another cause of joint pain is arthritis, or inflammation of the joint. It can be acute or chronic and may be the result of a viral infection, an attack of gout (hyperuricaemia), trauma or inflammation of the peripheral tissues around the joint, such as tendons or ligaments (2).

Other causes of joint pain include injuries, infections or genetic factors, as well as a lack of nutrients. While nutrient deficiencies are just one of many factors, they can exacerbate or even cause some of the disorders responsible for joint pain.

Joint pain and nutrient deficiency

Correlation between vitamin D deficiency and arthritis

Firstly, several studies have demonstrated an association between a lack of vitamin D and exacerbation of arthritis (3). Vitamin D is actually involved in calcium absorption, bone health and modulation of inflammation.

According to other research, supplementation with vitamin D may reduce the disabling effects of joint pain (4).

That’s why many people choose to take regular vitamin D supplements if they suffer from joint pain (such as Vitamin D3 5000 IU).

Omega-3 for pain relief?

A lack of omega-3 can also aggravate inflammation of the joints and increase pain, especially in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Many researchers therefore believe omega-3 could have anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for joint problems (see Super Omega 3).

The harmful effects of magnesium deficiency on the joints

Insufficient magnesium intake is known to lead to joint discomfort. It can cause muscle spasms, increased inflammation and disruption of nerve function.

To bridge any potential shortfall and help your muscles, bones and nervous system function properly, try taking a high-quality magnesium supplement (such as OptiMag, which contains 8 highly-bioavailable forms of magnesium).

Role of vitamin C in the production of collagen, a key component of cartilage

A number of studies point to a link between a lack of vitamin C and musculoskeletal pain and pain in the vertebrae.

Vitamin C plays a role in normal collagen production, and thus healthy bones and cartilage. Collagen is a protein which ensures the cohesion, elasticity and regeneration of tissues and accounts for 67% of the dry weight of cartilage, often implicated in joint pain (5).

A meta-analysis also suggests that giving vitamin C to patients with localised, chronic pain may reduce symptoms. It also suggests vitamin C may have analgesic effects (6).

It may therefore help with joint pain to start supplementing with vitamin C (such as with the product Liposomal Vitamin C). Many individuals suffering with this kind of pain and discomfort opt to take collagen supplements directly (such as UC II®, the only patented form of undenatured type II collagen).

Lack of vitamin B12, homocysteine and inflammation

Finally, most studies agree there is a direct correlation between joint pain, especially that caused by rheumatoid arthritis, and elevated homocysteine, a pro-inflammatory amino acid (7).

These high homocysteine levels are also associated with a lack of vitamin B12, particularly in older individuals (8).

Other studies have demonstrated that supplementing with vitamin B12 helps reduce homocysteine levels (9). And vitamin B12 is important for nerve health, with deficiency potentially affecting the nerves surrounding the joints.

Hence the decision by some people with joint pain to take a course of vitamin B12 supplements (Methylcobalamine).

Two endogenous substances important for joint function

In addition, research has identified two endogenous substances which are essential for normal joint function (10):

• glucosamine, a precursor in cartilage formation and a component of synovial fluid which ‘lubricates’ the joints (see NAG) ;
• and chondroitin sulfate, another key component of cartilage (see Chondroitin Sulfate 95%).

Production of glucosamine and chondroitin may start to decline with age, or as a result of certain conditions. This decrease then contributes to wear and tear of cartilage, thus promoting osteoarthritis.

Many people suffering from joint pain therefore choose to boost their glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate levels through supplementation (both can be found in the synergistic product Joint Support Formula).

Joint pain and the menopause

Did you know that in addition to the classic symptoms (hot flushes, fatigue, vaginal dryness, etc), the menopause can also be accompanied by joint pain,?

This is caused by loss of bone density and decreased muscle mass, which are themselves caused by hormonal changes during the menopause. Particularly as cells in the joints called chondrocytes have oestrogen-receptive sensors. The fall in oestrogen therefore produces hypersensitivity to joint pain (11).

To cope with menopause-related joint pain, doctors generally recommend regular exercise to maintain muscle mass, bone density, and the joints and tendons.

Home remedies for joint pain

Effective home remedies for joint pain include massaging painful joints with special creams (such as Smart Joints Cream, which contains eucalyptus, amongst others).

Another natural remedy recognised for treating joint pain is resin from Boswellia serrata (a tree that grows in dry, mountainous regions), used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine.

This resin contains boswellic acids, particularly AKBA and KBA, which studies show have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. They inhibit the pro-inflammatory enzyme 5-lipoxygenase and MMP-3, which are responsible for breaking down collagen and other molecules involved in joint function, as well as the NF-KB pathway which plays a role in the inflammatory response (12). Boswellia is therefore recognised for relieving joint discomfort and is available in supplement form (such as Super Boswellia, standardised to 20% AKBA).