Condition

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the joint lining, causing inflammation, pain and gradual cartilage damage. Among supplements, trials found rheumatoid factor reduced with andrographis, arthritis symptoms improved with krill oil, and C-reactive protein, an inflammation marker, went down with boron. Most of these studies were small, with under 100 people, so the evidence is mostly limited.

Sources: PMID 17353582; PMID 28163961

Supplements studied: 21
Medicines and peptides: 1
Graded outcomes: 22
Trials: 26
People studied: 41,788

Evidence by supplement

Strong
Moderate
Limited
Very limited

21 supplements

Andrographis

Andrographis: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	RA Markers Reduced rheumatoid factor, IgA, and C4 levels	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect		60 people

Fish Oil

Fish Oil: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Triglycerides Large Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Large effect	24 studies	156 people
Studies that measured triglycerides Effects of a Small Quantity of omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in NIDDM. A Randomized, Prospective, Double-Blind, Controlled StudyDiabetes Care · PMID 8112187 Benefits of fish oil supplementation in hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysisInt J Cardiol · PMID 18774613 Efficacy and tolerability of adding prescription omega-3 fatty acids 4 g/d to simvastatin 40 mg/d in hypertriglyceridemic patients: an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyClin Ther · PMID 17825687 and 21 more on the Fish Oil page
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		7 studies	156 people
Studies that measured weight The influence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and very low calorie diet during a short-term weight reducing regimen on weight loss and serum fatty acid composition in severely obese womenPhysiol Res · PMID 15857162 Dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA does not promote weight loss when combined with a very-low-energy dietBr J Nutr · PMID 22214842 Moderate consumption of fatty fish reduces diastolic blood pressure in overweight and obese European young adults during energy restrictionNutrition · PMID 19487105 and 4 more on the Fish Oil page

Magnesium

Blood glucose: improves
Insulin Resistance: improves
Insulin: changes; see studies

Magnesium: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood glucose Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	17 studies	35 people
Studies that measured blood glucose Efficacy of Magnesium Supplementation on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Meta-analysis.J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc · PMID 33442083 Oral magnesium supplementation in insulin-requiring Type 2 diabetic patientsDiabet Med · PMID 9632126 The effect of lowering blood pressure by magnesium supplementation in diabetic hypertensive adults with low serum magnesium levels: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trialJ Hum Hypertens · PMID 19020533 and 14 more on the Magnesium page
	Insulin Resistance	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	35 people
Studies that measured insulin resistance Metabolic and hormonal effects of melatonin and/or magnesium supplementation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialNutr Metab · PMID 34092248
	Insulin	Changes; see studies			35 people

Coenzyme Q10

Blood Pressure: improves
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): improves
C-Reactive Protein (CRP): improves

Coenzyme Q10: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood Pressure Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	4 studies	45 people
Studies that measured blood pressure Dose-Response Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Blood Pressure among Patients with Cardiometabolic Disorders: A Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE)-Assessed Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Adv Nutr · PMID 36130103 Electrocardiographic and hemodynamic effects of coenzyme Q10 in healthy individuals: a double-blind, randomized controlled trialAnn Pharmacother · PMID 17341532 Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in isolated systolic hypertensionSouth Med J · PMID 11780680 and 1 more on the Coenzyme Q10 page
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Improves (the measure goes down)		4 studies	45 people
Studies that measured low-density lipoprotein (ldl) Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Metabolic Indicators in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Clin Ther · PMID 39904656 Effectiveness of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisInt J Endocrinol · PMID 30305810 Treatment of coenzyme Q10 for 24 weeks improves lipid and glycemic profile in dyslipidemic individualsJ Clin Lipidol · PMID 29454678 and 1 more on the Coenzyme Q10 page
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP)	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	45 people
Studies that measured c-reactive protein (crp) Effects of coenzyme Q10 on arterial stiffness, metabolic parameters, and fatigue in obese subjects: a double-blind randomized controlled studyJ Med Food · PMID 21370966 Efficacy and Optimal Dose of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Inflammation-Related Biomarkers: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Mol Nutr Food Res · PMID 37118903
	Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	45 people
Studies that measured total cholesterol Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Lipid Profiles in Adults: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.J Clin Endocrinol Metab · PMID 36337001 The Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Metabolic Profiles of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Curr Pharm Des · PMID 30417782
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	45 people
Studies that measured high-density lipoprotein (hdl) Effect of coenzyme Q10 on risk of atherosclerosis in patients with recent myocardial infarctionMol Cell Biochem · PMID 12841346
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)			45 people

Boron

C-Reactive Protein (CRP): improves
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate: changes; see studies
Interleukin 1-alpha: improves

Boron: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Moderate Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	3 studies	80 people
Studies that measured c-reactive protein (crp) The adjuvant use of calcium fructoborate and borax with etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot studyJ Intercult Ethnopharmacol · PMID 28163961 Effects of Calcium Fructoborate on Levels of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical StudyBiol Trace Elem Res · PMID 25433580 Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokinesJ Trace Elem Med Biol · PMID 21129941
	Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate	Changes; see studies			80 people
	Interleukin 1-alpha	Improves (the measure goes up)			80 people
	Interleukin 6	Changes; see studies			80 people
	Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms	Changes; see studies			80 people
	TNF-Alpha	Changes; see studies			80 people

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Inflammation: improves
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms: changes; see studies

Alpha-Lipoic Acid: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Inflammation Small decrease in inflammation markers	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	2 studies	20 people
Studies that measured inflammation Effects of antioxidant supplements intervention on the level of plasma inflammatory molecules and disease severity of rheumatoid arthritis patientsJ Am Coll Nutr · PMID 19571161 Irbesartan and lipoic acid improve endothelial function and reduce markers of inflammation in the metabolic syndrome: results of the Irbesartan and Lipoic Acid in Endothelial Dysfunction (ISLAND) studyCirculation · PMID 15655130
	Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms	Changes; see studies			20 people

Saffron

C-Reactive Protein (CRP): improves
TNF-Alpha: improves
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers: improves

Saffron: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Small Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	1 study	66 people
Studies that measured c-reactive protein (crp) An evaluation of the effect of saffron supplementation on the antibody titer to heat-shock protein (HSP) 70, hsCRP and spirometry test in patients with mild and moderate persistent allergic asthma: A triple-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trialRespir Med · PMID 30509713
	TNF-Alpha	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	66 people
Studies that measured tnf-alpha Effects of saffron on homocysteine, and antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized double-blind clinical trialAvicenna J Phytomed · PMID 31516857 The effect of saffron supplement on clinical outcomes and metabolic profiles in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trialPhytother Res · PMID 32048365
	Oxidative Stress Biomarkers	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	66 people
Studies that measured oxidative stress biomarkers Saffron supplements modulate serum pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trialAvicenna J Phytomed · PMID 26468462
	Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate	Improves (the measure goes down)			66 people
	Interferon Gamma	Improves (the measure goes up)			66 people
	Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)			66 people
	Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)	Improves (the measure goes up)			66 people

Black seed

Pain: improves
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms: changes; see studies

Black seed: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Pain Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	1 study	40 people
Studies that measured pain Effectiveness of Nigella sativa oil in the management of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a placebo controlled studyPhytother Res · PMID 22162258
	Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms	Changes; see studies			40 people

Purslane Extract

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms: improves

Purslane Extract: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	1 study	77 people
Studies that measured rheumatoid arthritis symptoms The effect of purslane supplementation on clinical outcomes, inflammatory and antioxidant markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A parallel double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial.Phytomedicine · PMID 39306881

Krill Oil

Arthritis (In General): improves
C-Reactive Protein (CRP): improves
Functionality in Elderly or Injured: improves

Krill Oil: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Arthritis (In General) Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect	1 study	90 people
Studies that measured arthritis (in general) Evaluation of the effect of Neptune Krill Oil on chronic inflammation and arthritic symptomsJ Am Coll Nutr · PMID 17353582
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP)	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	90 people
Studies that measured c-reactive protein (crp) Metabolic effects of krill oil are essentially similar to those of fish oil but at lower dose of EPA and DHA, in healthy volunteersLipids · PMID 21042875 Krill Oil for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA · PMID 38776073
	Functionality in Elderly or Injured	Improves (the measure goes up)			90 people

Artemisia annua

Disease Activity: improves

Artemisia annua: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Disease Activity Extract (30g/d) + methotrexate/leflunomide more effective than standard therapy alone over 48 weeks	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect		159 people

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Joint Stiffness: improves

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Joint Stiffness Small Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect		80 people

Fang Ji

Oxidative Stress Biomarkers: improves
Lymphocyte Count
White Blood Cell Count: improves

Fang Ji: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers Small Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect		25 people
Lymphocyte Count No effect		NoneNo effect		25 people
White Blood Cell Count	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	25 people
Serum Elastase	Improves (the measure goes up)			25 people

Velvet Antler

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Velvet Antler: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms No effect		NoneNo effect	2 studies	208 people

Hesperidin

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms: improves

Hesperidin: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP) No effect		NoneNo effect	1 study	19 people
	Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	19 people

Curcumin

Bilirubin
Pain: improves
Total cholesterol: improves

Curcumin: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Bilirubin No effect		NoneNo effect	1 study	36 people
Pain	Improves (the measure goes down)		14 studies	81 people
Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)		4 studies	36 people
Inflammation	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	36 people
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	81 people
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)	Improves (the measure goes down)			81 people
Serum Albumin	Improves (the measure goes up)			36 people
Urea	Improves (the measure goes up)			36 people

Rose Hip

Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
C-Reactive Protein (CRP): improves
Pain: improves

Rose Hip: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile No effect		NoneNo effect		30 people
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	119 people
Pain	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	119 people
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)			119 people
TNF-Alpha	Improves (the measure goes down)			89 people
Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)			89 people

Feverfew

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms: improves
Immunity: improves

Feverfew: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) No effect		NoneNo effect		40 people
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	40 people
Immunity	Improves (the measure goes up)			40 people

Type-II Collagen

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Immunoglobulin A
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms: improves

Type-II Collagen: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) No effect		NoneNo effect		228 people
Immunoglobulin A No effect		NoneNo effect		228 people
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		3 studies	298 people
Pain	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	288 people
Immunoglobulin G	Improves (the measure goes up)			228 people

King of Bitters

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms: improves

King of Bitters: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	58 people

Vitamin E

Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk: changes; see studies

Vitamin E: outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk	Changes; see studies		1 study	39,144 people

Prescription medicines and peptides studied, for context

These are not supplements. Most need a prescription, and some are research compounds with no approved use. They are listed so the supplement evidence above can be read against them.

1 medicine or peptide

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP/Aviptadil)

Arthritis Severity Reduction: improves

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP/Aviptadil): outcomes studied for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Arthritis Severity Reduction Preclinical: Completely abrogated joint swelling and cartilage/bone destruction in collagen-induced arthritis models. Protected against bone destruction. Downregulated both inflammatory and autoimmune disease components. No completed human RCTs.	Improves (the measure goes down)	Large effect	6 studies

Key findings

RA MarkersAndrographisImproves (the measure goes down)
TriglyceridesFish OilImproves (the measure goes down)
Blood glucoseMagnesiumImproves (the measure goes down)

The Rheumatoid Arthritis protocol

2 primary supplements · 4 supporting supplements

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (High-Dose)3–4 g EPA/DHA daily
Curcumin (with enhanced absorption)500 mg twice daily (BCM-95 or Meriva form)

See the full protocol

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Support alongside medical care. These supplements are not a treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). If you are being treated for it, talk to your clinician before adding one: supplements can interact with medicines.

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Studies cited

2 studies from PubMed

Low level laser therapy (Classes I, II and III) for treating rheumatoid arthritis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 16235295
Key Features of Effective Yoga Interventions in Addition to Standard Medical Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.ACR Open Rheumatol · PMID 40346985