From the Guidelines
Zinc sulfate supplementation is not a primary treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and its role is not well-established in the management of RA, as evidenced by the lack of mention in recent guidelines such as the 2015 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis 1. The primary treatment for RA involves disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, and other medications aimed at reducing inflammation and slowing disease progression, as recommended by guidelines such as the EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs 1. Some studies suggest that zinc may play a role in immune function and inflammation regulation, potentially benefiting patients with RA, particularly those with documented zinc deficiency 1. However, the current evidence is not sufficient to support the use of zinc sulfate as a primary treatment for RA, and its use should be considered on a case-by-case basis, with careful monitoring for potential side effects and interactions with other medications. Key considerations for zinc supplementation in RA patients include:
- Typical dosage: 25-50 mg of elemental zinc daily
- Potential benefits: immune function and inflammation regulation, wound healing, and tissue repair
- Potential risks: interference with copper absorption, gastrointestinal side effects
- Monitoring: periodic blood tests to monitor zinc levels and adjust supplementation as needed.
From the Research
Role of Zinc Sulfate in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- The role of zinc sulfate in RA is still being researched, with some studies suggesting it may have a positive effect on the disease, while others have found no significant benefit 2, 3, 4.
- A 1976 study found that oral zinc supplementation improved joint swelling, morning stiffness, walking time, and overall disease activity in patients with chronic, refractory RA 2.
- However, other studies have found no significant antirheumatic activity of zinc sulfate, with some patients even experiencing unpleasant side effects such as nausea and an unpleasant taste 3, 4.
- Research has also shown that serum and plasma zinc levels are decreased significantly in patients with RA, which may be due to decreased albumin-bound and micromolecular protein-bound zinc 5.
- The effect of oral zinc sulfate on zinc metabolism in patients with RA has also been studied, with one study finding that whole body zinc and zinc absorption were not significantly affected by zinc sulfate therapy 6.
Key Findings
- Zinc sulfate may have a positive effect on joint swelling, morning stiffness, and overall disease activity in some patients with RA 2.
- However, other studies have found no significant benefit of zinc sulfate in reducing RA symptoms or improving patient outcomes 3, 4.
- Decreased serum and plasma zinc levels have been observed in patients with RA, which may be related to the disease process 5.
- Zinc sulfate therapy does not appear to have a significant effect on zinc metabolism in patients with RA 6.