Supplements for Arthritis that Work
Supplements for Arthritis (for Dosages, scroll down). 
The following are natural supplements (including anti-oxidants) which have shown to help against Rheumatoid Arthritis and (some) for ALL types of arthritis. For dosages, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids (such as fish oils, flax seed oil and algal oil). Although you can increase your intake of Omega 3 from fish like salmon, tuna, halibut, and certain plants and nuts, if you suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis you may wish to significantly increase your intake through supplements too. Benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids include the decrease of inflammation as well as relief from joint tenderness and stiffness. Permanent supplementation of Omega 3 Fatty Acids will benefit your Rheumatoid Arthritis but also the rest of your body, from your heart to your blood circulation (they are mild blood ‘thinners’). Make sure you buy the type derived from anchovies and similar fish and, very importantly, that it’s been purified or ‘distilled’ (namely, that the mercury has been removed). Most good quality fish oil will be excellent but we recommend you get into the habit of reading the label to make sure it’s purivied and it comes from anchovies (and some other fish). Interestingly enough, during a holiday we bought our fish oil supplements in Italy (at a pharmacy) and it was absolutely the best omega 3 fish oil we ever took (we actually felt the difference in our body almost overnight); when we came back home we started to read the labels seeking the same good quality omega 3 fish oil.
Antioxidants as supplements for arthritis (from a wide range of sources, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta-Carotenoids, Green Tea extract, Turmeric and Matcha powder). Useful against Rheumatoid Arthritis for 2 reasons:
1 – Inflammation increases the damage that free-radicals inflict on the body (including the joints); since antioxidants help protect against free radicals, they contribute to the fight against the damage of Rheumatoid Arthritis (which causes inflammation).
2 – Sufferers from Rheumatoid Arthritis are often deficient in anti-oxidants, so increasing their intake is important. Vitamin E, one of the many antioxidants to be taken, has shown some pain relief properties
Minerals as supplements for arthritis like Zinc, Copper and Selenium are also beneficial against Rheumatoid Arthritis in that they work in synergy with antioxidants; moreover, Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers are also very often deficient in these important trace minerals.
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) seems to be able to reduce morning stiffness and general rheumatic pain. Sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis often have lower levels of this vitamin than normal.
Turmeric (Curcumin), is a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant often used against Rheumatoid Arthritis. See more on the benefits of Turmeric (as well as dosages).
The oleic acid in olive oil is also beneficial against inflammation. If you use oil in your food, make sure it’s extra virgin olive oil rather than other oil.
Cayenne cream is useful against Arthritis because it contains Capsaicin, which is a pain killer and it is indeed used in many commercial creams. Capsaicin (therefore cayenne cream) dilates blood vessels and increases blood circulation to the affected and painful areas; this facilitates the removal of toxins and helps the body bring fresh, oxygenated blood to the affected areas
Ginger (as supplement or as fresh root to add to many dishes; you can even add fresh ginger to your hot lemon tea). Anti-inflammatory and pain killer.
DOSAGES / DOSES (frequency and strength of these supplements for arthritis):
· Fish oils (Omega 3 Fatty Acids), 2,000 mg three times a day. If you take anticoagulant medications, consult with your doctor since fish oils are natural blood ‘thinners’ (so consult with your doctor if you are on ‘blood thinning’ medication already).
· Evening primrose oil, 1,000 mg three times a day. You may replace Evening primrose oil with 1,000 mg of borage oil daily, if you prefer.
· Copper / Zinc (antioxidants), 2 mg copper and 30 mg zinc two times daily. Use zinc for at least one month before adding copper.
· Vitamin E (antioxidant), 400 IU two times a day. If you take anticoagulant medications or are already taking ‘blood thinning’ medications, check with the doctor.
· Vitamin C (antioxidant), 1,000 mg three times a day. If diarrhea develops (do not worry, it’s possible harmless reaction if you take huge doses of Vitamin C), reduce the dose.
· Cat’s claw, 250 mg standardized extract two times daily. It should be taken between food. Avoid this natural supplement if you are pregnant.
· Ginger (anti-inflammatory and painkiller) 100 mg three times a day or four cups of ginger tea a day.
· Cayenne cream, a topical solution to apply to the affected joints three or four times a day.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any natural supplement may have some contraindications; for this reason, before taking any supplement, I usually do a search such as ‘X contraindications’ on my search engine, and I read more than one source. Of course, you should ask your doctor to be on the safe side, especially if you suffer from other health conditions.