Monday, June 25, 2007
I have severe RA and in the doctor’s explanation of this he told me that my immune system is hurting my body instead of helping it. My question is, should I take things like vitamin C that help the immune system, or am I just giving it more power to damage me? I've asked my doctor this, but he just laughs and walks away.
Vitamins like vitamin C will not help in severe RA. The immune system is indeed awry in RA, in that the body’s defense system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Excessive inflammation appears to be caused by signal-carrying molecules called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-1, as well as many other molecules.
The current biologic medications — Remicade (infliximab), Humira (adalimumab), Enbrel (etanercept), Kineret (anakinra) — attempt to target these inflammatory molecules and block them, thereby decreasing inflammation. The immune system is so complex that simple remedies like vitamins are not going to be helpful.
Learn more in the Everyday Health Rheumatoid Arthritis Center.
Last Updated: 6/25/2007