What I Discovered About Knee #OsteoArthritis and Vitamin D

Originally posted October 30, 2014

At a Glance.  A new study in patients with knee osteoarthritis indicates that insufficient vitamin D serum levels may be related to an increased risk of progressive knee osteoarthritis. Read more about this research below.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that mainly affects cartilage, causing functional limitation and disability particularly in the elderly. It is estimated that over 27 million individuals over the age of 65 suffer from osteoarthritis, which most commonly affects the knee. Vitamin D plays many biological and functional roles in joint health, so vitamin D status may play a role in the progression of knee osteoarthritis.

In a new study published online in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers investigated whether serum vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations might predict the progression of knee OA. PTH is responsible for regulating the metabolism of vitamin D.

The study included 418 participants enrolled in the Osteoarthritis Initiative who had at least one knee with diagnosed osteoarthritis. Serum vitamin D and PTH were measured at the 30 or 36 month visit of the study, and progression of OA was defined as an increase in the joint space narrowing (JSN) score between the 2 and 4 year study visits.  

The average serum vitamin D level of the participants was 26 ng/ml, while 16% of this population had levels below 15 ng/ml. Between the beginning of the study and follow-up visits, 14% of the subjects experienced joint space narrowing (increased JSN score). Subjects with a low vitamin D level (< 15 ng/ml) had twice the risk of elevated knee OA progression than the participants with vitamin D levels > 15 ng/ml.Although a high serum PTH itself was not associated with a significant increase in JSN score, individuals with both low vitamin D and high PTH (> 73 pg/ml) had a greater than 3 fold increased risk of OA progression.

The results of the present study suggest that individuals deficient in vitamin D have greater risk of osteoarthritis progression than those with normal vitamin D levels.

Fang Fang Zhang et al. Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated with Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis. First published October 1, 2014, doi: 10.3945/jn.114.193227.   October 29, USANA Health Sciences

My personal question would be what amount of vitamin D should a person be taking as a supplement on a daily basis?  In Canada, I believe the suggestion would be 1000 IU’s and the U.S.  2000 IU’s.   Other studies suggest around 4,000 to 6,000 IU’s for those who live in Canada, and especially up north.

We aren’t getting enough vitamin D from the sun, and if we get too much sun, we’re warned that it could lead to skin cancer. I am opting for the higher doses of vitamin D supplements because it can do no harm that I know of, and it can obviously help to avoid or lessen osteoarthritis (of the knee or hip, the most common locations)

The other product that can help for those who have OsteoArthritis would be glucosamine.  Therefore, I do take USANA’s Procosa andVitamin D at the higher doses each day.  Check with your doctor for the best solution for you.

Deanna Waters  www.ddwaters.com