What Vitamins Are Good for Stiff Joints?

Stiffness of the joints can result from injury or illnesses such as arthritis. The area between your joints is small, so any amount of swelling or infiltration by foreign tissue can cause significant impairment in range of motion. Stiffness caused by injury generally subsides as the injured area heals, however, in some cases, pieces of bone called spurs may make their way between joints. Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis cause the body's immune system to mistakenly attack tissues, leading to swelling, stiffness and potentially immobility. Certain vitamins may help decrease stiff joints, decreasing pain and allowing for more mobility. Check with your doctor before using any vitamin supplement.

VITAMIN B-5

Vitamin B-5, also known as pantothenic acid, is used by your body to metabolize the foods you eat into glucose for energy. Additionally, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains that research has shown an association between incidence of rheumatoid arthritis and low levels of vitamin B-5. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the joints. UMMC adds that although some preliminary research has shown vitamin B-5 to be effective for treating joint stiffness caused by arthritis, more research is needed to determine the extent of its effectiveness.

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that your body cannot manufacture without an outside source from food. According to UMMC, these fats help to reduce inflammation and have been found in limited research to help reduce stiffness and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. It appears that omega-3 fatty acids are effective in decreasing the amount of inflammation that occurs between the joints, which in turn, allows for more mobility. UMMC adds that research suggests a combination of omega-3 fatty acids with conventional medications for arthritis known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications may provide additional benefit to people living with the pain and stiff joints of arthritis.

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GLUCOSAMINE

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance found in the fluid that surrounds your joints. MedlinePlus explains that glucosamine sulfate is the form of glucosamine that has been found to be effective in reducing pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis. Unlike NSAIDs, which tend to be nearly immediately effective in treating pain, glucosamine may take as long as one to two months to have a beneficial effect. Some people also may not respond favorably and may find no relief when taking glucosamine. Glucosamine is also potentially effective in treating arthritis that occurs around the temporomandibular joint of the jaw, relieving pain and stiffness.

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is only found in a limited number of foods, such as fortified cereals and milk. Your body also manufactures vitamin D when your skin is exposed to natural light. A study published in the "Journal of Clinical Oncology" found that people who are deficient in vitamin D tend to present with nonspecific joint pain and stiffness. When these people received supplemental vitamin D, they reported significantly less joint pain and related disability from the pain. Individuals who are at highest risk for a vitamin D deficiency include the elderly, individuals with highly pigmented skin and individuals who have impaired fat absorption.