Product Reviews and Information for Rheumatoid Arthritis

6/13/2014

Vitamin D and Rheumatoid Arthritis

A recent study shows that people with rheumatoid arthritis tend to have significantly lower levels of vitamin D in their blood than healthy individuals of the same age, gender and body weight. More details, including the vitamin D levels in these groups, is found in the update to the Vitamin D Supplements Review >>   

6/01/2022

Garlic for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Can garlic supplementation decrease pain, swelling, or medication use in women with rheumatoid arthritis? Find out in the updated What It Does section of our Garlic Supplements Review.

7/01/2022

Potassium for Arthritis?

Can increasing potassium intake reduce joint pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis? See what a recent study found in the Rheumatoid Arthritis section of our Potassium Supplements Review.

Also see our CL Answer about Supplements for Arthritis.

1/31/2023

Fish Oil & Rheumatoid Arthritis

A recent study investigated how fish oil supplementation may help to reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Get the details, and learn if fish oil can help with osteoarthritis and other inflammatory conditions, in our Fish Oil Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for fish oil.

Also see: Which supplements can help with arthritis?

9/08/2023

Curcumin for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Curcumin (from turmeric) may reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, but does it also reduce the frequency of flare-ups? See what a new study found in the Arthritis section of our Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements and Spices Review, which includes our Top Picks among products.

Also see: Which supplements help with arthritis?

5/07/2024

Turmeric for Arthritis?

Does supplementing with turmeric extract (curcumin) help reduce joint pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis? Find out what a recent study showed in the Arthritis section of our Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements and Spices Review, which includes our Top Picks for turmeric and curcumin.

Also see: Which supplements help with arthritis?

9/06/2023

Propolis for Arthritis?

Does taking propolis and bee pollen help people with rheumatoid arthritis? Find out in our article about supplements for arthritis.

5/23/2023

Magnesium for Arthritis?

Find out if magnesium is beneficial for preventing or reducing the severity of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in our Magnesium Supplements Review.

Also see our answer to the question: Which supplements can help with arthritis?

7/08/2022

B-5 for Arthritis?

Can vitamin B-5 supplementation improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis? Find out what research suggests in the B-5 (Pantothenic Acid) section of our B Vitamins Supplements Review.

2/01/2022

Vitamin D & Autoimmune Disease

A major study suggests that supplementing with vitamin D may reduce the risk of some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil may also have some benefit. But there are important caveats to the findings, and thyroid disease and psoriasis appear to be impacted. Use the above links for details.

8/10/2021

COVID Risk & Immune Disease

Are people with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, and other immune diseases at higher risk of severe re-infections? See the latest findings.

11/26/2020

Vitamin D and Arthritis

Studies are showing an association between vitamin D levels and rheumatoid arthritis. Learn more in the What It Does section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also, see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

9/21/2013

Fish Oil and Arthritis

A study of several thousand women found those who consumed at least a moderate of amount omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) from fish in their diets had just half the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis over the course of the study than did women with lower intakes.  For details about the amount of omega-3's and fish consumption associated with preventing arthritis, other uses of omega-3's, and tests of fish/marine oil supplements, see the Fish/Marine Oil Supplements Review>>

9/20/2016

Curcumin for Arthritis

An analysis of several clinical studies showed compelling evidence that curcumin (extracted from turmeric) can be effective in treating symptoms of osteoarthritis as well as rheumatoid arthritis. For details, including dosage, see the "What It Does" section of the Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements and Spices Review >>

1/31/2017

Omega-3s for Arthritis

A review of twenty-two clinical studies using omega-3 fatty acid supplements from various marine sources (fish oil, mussel oil, etc.) found they could be effective in reducing rheumatoid arthritis pain, particularly when the oils had a certain ratio of EPA to DHA. The oils were not effective for osteoarthritis. For more details, see the "What It Does" section of the Fish Oil Supplements Review (which includes our tests of products) >>

5/05/2018

Cinnamon for Arthritis

Taking cinnamon as a supplement was found to decrease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in a recent study. Get the details and learn what else cinnamon can do (particularly regarding blood sugar) in the What It Does section of the Cinnamon Supplements & Spices Review. (Also see our test results for popular cinnamon supplements).

9/06/2017

Turmeric for Arthritis?

Curcumin (from turmeric) has shown promise in reducing the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis in several small studies, including one that was recently published. However, larger studies are needed to prove this benefit. Details are found in the "What It Does" section of the Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements Review (which includes our Top Picks among products).

7/28/2020

Fish Oil for Arthritis?

Fish oil has shown modest benefits in rheumatoid arthritis, but can it help with osteoarthritis -- inflammation due to worn joints? Find out what a recently published study showed in the What It Does section of the Fish Oil Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for fish oil.

9/15/2023

Krill Oil for Knees?

Did taking high-dose krill oil for 6 months reduce pain in people with osteoarthritis of the knee? See what a recent study found in the Arthritis section of our Omega-3 Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for krill and fish oils.

Also see: Which supplements help with arthritis?

8/25/2023

Zyflamend for Joint Pain?

Can taking Zyflamend, a supplement with 10 herbal extracts, help improve symptoms of arthritis or other types of joint pain? Find out what research suggests in our article about supplements for arthritis.

6/03/2022

CBD Arthritis Cream?

Did CBD cream decrease pain or improve function in people with arthritis in their hands? See what a recent study found in our CBD Review.

8/15/2023

Coffee & Bone Health

Does drinking coffee decrease bone density or worsen symptoms of arthritis? Find out in our article about coffee and bone health.

9/19/2023

Cat's Claw

Does cat's claw reduce symptoms of arthritis, help with Alzheimer's disease, boost the immune system, or have other benefits? Find out in our new article about the health benefits and safety of cat's claw.

10/03/2023

Vitamin D for Knee Pain?

Does taking vitamin D reduce knee pain or improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis? See what a recent study suggests in the Osteoarthritis section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick for vitamin D.

Also see: Which supplements help with arthritis?

10/06/2023

Krill Oil for Osteoarthritis?

Can knee pain from osteoarthritis be reduced by a combination of krill oil, astaxanthin and hyaluronic acid? Find out what a recent study showed in the Osteoarthritis section of our Omega-3 Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for krill and fish oil supplements.

Also see: Which supplements help with arthritis?

10/17/2023

Citrus Pectin for Knee Pain?

Can modified citrus pectin (MPC) reduce inflammation or pain in people with knee osteoarthritis? Find out what a clinical study showed in our article about supplements for arthritis.

Also see the evidence for other ingredients promoted for osteoarthritis and our Top Pick supplements for joints in our Joint Health Supplements Review.

7/02/2024

Broccoli for Knee Pain?

Does regularly eating broccoli soup reduce the pain of knee osteoarthritis? See what a recent study found in our updated article about supplements for arthritis.

9/16/2024

Boswellia for Knees?

Did taking Boswellia extract, which is often promoted to reduce inflammation, reduce knee pain or improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis in a recent study? Find out in the What It Does section of our Joint Health Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick among supplements for joints.

Also see our articles about supplements for arthritis and topical pain products with menthol.

9/19/2024

Propolis for Vision?

Propolis is found in some eye formulas, but is there good evidence that is helps with conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal damage? Find out in our Vision Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among lutein and AREDS formula supplements.

Also find out if propolis has shown benefit for fatty liver disease or arthritis.

11/18/2024

Supplement for Hand Osteoarthritis?

Does taking a combination of Boswellia extract, curcumin, MSM, and pine bark extract reduce pain or improve function and quality of life among people with hand osteoarthritis? Find out what a recent study showed in the Boswellia section of our Joint Health Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick for boswellia.

Also see: Which supplements help with arthritis?

7/05/2023

Curcumin for Knee Pain?

Did curcumin supplementation decrease pain or improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis? See what a new study found in the Osteoarthrits section of our Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among turmeric/curcumin supplements and spices.

Also see: Which supplements help with arthritis?

7/11/2023

Arthritis Supplement May Have Caused Cushing Syndrome

We’ve added more information about the risks of a supplement for joint pain sold by Walmart. Get the details.

9/13/2022

Glucosamine & Heart Disease

Is taking glucosamine for arthritis linked to the risk of cardiovascular disease? Find out in the What It Does section of our Review of Joint Health Supplements.

12/23/2024

Boswellia for Knee Osteoarthritis?

Did taking Boswellia extract (Aflapin/AprèsFlex — as found in Life Extension ArthroMax tested by ConsumerLab) reduce pain and improve function, joint space, and cartilage thickness in people with knee osteoarthritis? Find out what a recent study showed in the Boswellia section of our Joint Health Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick for Boswellia and other joint health supplements.

Also see: Which supplements help with arthritis?

5/28/2025

Zyflamend for Joint Health

We recently tested Zyflamend, a supplement promoted for pain relief and joint support. We checked levels of heavy metals, such as lead, and potentially beneficial curcumin compounds expected from its two turmeric extracts. See what we found in our Turmeric Supplements Review and learn more about the evidence behind Zyflamend in our article about supplements for arthritis.

9/18/2021

Help for Arthritic Hands?

A study tested whether moderate doses of CBD could reduce the pain of hand osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis. See what the study found in the Pain section of our CBD Oil and Hemp Extracts Review.

6/22/2021

Avocado & Soy Unsaponifiables for Osteoarthritis?

Can avocado and soy unsaponifiables (ASU) reduce pain and stiffness in people with knee or hip osteoarthritis? Find out in our updated answer to the question: Which supplements can help with arthritis?

5/04/2021

PEA for Joint Pain?

Can PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) reduce joint pain? Find out what a recent study found in our answer to the question: Which supplements can help with arthritis?

3/08/2016

Knee Arthritis & Vitamin D

People with knee osteoarthritis (worn joints) and generally low vitamin D levels given vitamin D for 2 years showed greater improvement in some, but not all, symptoms compared to those given a placebo. Get the details (as well as our product test results) in the Vitamin D Supplements Review >>

5/15/2018

Fish Oil for Joints

See what happened when high-dose fish oil was given for a year to older men and women in the Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Diseases section of the Fish Oil Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among fish oils and other omega-3 supplements.

2/13/2018

Fish Oil for Ulcerative Colitis

A special formulation of high-dose fish oil was found to help people with ulcerative colitis remain in remission in a placebo-controlled study. It also reduced levels of a key marker of inflammation. For details, see the Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Diseases section of the Fish Oil Supplements Review.

11/07/2016

Taking Curcumin With an NSAID?

Studies have shown that curcumin (an extract of turmeric) can improve symptoms of knee arthritis as well as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. But is there benefit in taking them together? A new study provides an answer, as discussed in the "What It Does" section of the Turmeric/Curcumin Supplements Review >>

7/21/2018

Fish Oil for Heart Health?

Are fish oil supplements good for the heart? See what a review of over 70 clinical trials concluded in the Heart Attack and Stroke section of the Fish Oil and Omega-3 Supplements Review.

Also, learn what fish oil can or cannot do for other health conditions, such as arthritis, in the What It Does section of the review. (See our Top Picks among fish and marine oils.)

9/25/2011

Chondroitin Improves Hand Arthritis

Do you or someone you know have osteoarthritis of the hand? A new study found that highly purified chondroitin can reduce pain and stiffness and increase function. You need to give it some time, though. Get the details in the update in the Joint Health Supplements Review. More >>

2/23/2022

Boswellia for Knee Pain?

Can Boswellia extract reduce knee pain and stiffness in people with knee osteoarthritis? See what a recent study found in the What It Does section of our Joint Health Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among products containing Boswellia, glucosamine, chondroitin, and/or MSM.

See our answer to the question: Which supplements can help with arthritis?

3/04/2022

Avocado Compounds for Osteoarthritis?

Compounds extracted from avocado and soy, known as unsaponifiables or ASUs, have been promoted to treat osteoarthritis of the knees and hips. But do they work? See what a recent study found in the What It Does section of our Avocado Oil Review.

Also see our answer to the question: Which supplements can help with arthritis?

1/13/2013

Vitamin D and Knee Arthritis?

Can taking vitamin D reduce the pain and progression of osteoarthritis of the knee? A new study found no benefit for people who already had sufficient levels of vitamin D. In fact, these people needed more anti-inflammatory medication during the study than those given placebo. However, as seen in many other studies of vitamin D, people who entered the study deficient in vitamin D appeared to benefit from being given vitamin D, experiencing reduced pain. For more details, see the update in the Vitamin D Supplements Review, which includes our tests of vitamin D supplements. If you suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee or other joints, also read about glucosamine and chondroitin, as supplements with these ingredients may help. We have tested many of these products.