Vitamin E supplements a cure for rheumatoid arthritis?

Supplementation with vitamin E fixes the intestinal barrier and the gastrointestinal tract, which then helps prevent and treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), reveals a study.

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of vitamin E in patients with RA. A team of investigators performed a computerized search of the databases of PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Sciences to identify published randomized controlled trials of vitamin E in RA from inception through 31 December 2021.

Subsequently, the team carried out a meta-analysis using Rev Man 5.4 software. Patients in the experimental group received vitamin E supplements, while those in the control group received placebo, other drugs, or external therapy.

Nine publications met the eligibility criteria and included a total of 39,845 patients. Supplementation with vitamin E demonstrated greater effectiveness among individuals with RA for sensitive joints (mean difference [MD], ‒1.66, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], ‒6.32 to ‒2.99; I², 93 percent; p<0.00001) and swollen joints (MD, ‒0.46, 95 percent CI, ‒1.98 to 1.07; I², 56 percent; p=0.08).

“Vitamin E’s ability to restore the intestinal barrier and improve the gastrointestinal tract may be linked to the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis,” the investigators said.

“Vitamin E supplements used on a regular basis can help individuals with RA reduce joint discomfort, edema, and stiffness, as well as enhance their overall quality of life,” they added.