Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether a supplement is the right fit for your individual health, and about any potential drug interactions or safety concerns.
For people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and damage in the joints, medications like DMARDs and biologics are essential to slowing disease progression and managing symptoms. But even with these treatments, symptoms like joint pain and stiffness can get in the way of daily activities.
Dietary supplements are an attractive add-on for many people with RA who view them as a way to ease symptoms without adding another prescription medicine. While these supplements aren’t a cure or a replacement for prescribed medication, there is evidence that some herbs or nutrients may help with symptoms or even disease activity.
One caveat: The American College of Rheumatology, the organization that makes the guidelines for evidence-based RA treatments and lifestyle recommendations, recommends a “food first” approach for people who have any vitamin deficiencies or want to consume certain nutrients or vitamins. Studies have shown that vitamins and minerals are most potent when they come from food rather than a capsule.
If you do decide to take supplements for RA, remember to check in with your provider first, and keep in mind that supplements aren’t a replacement for your prescribed treatment.
With more than 100,000 different types of supplements on the market, it can be hard to know what’s helpful or even where to start looking. Keep reading to learn about the most promising RA supplements and expert advice on the best way to take them.
1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s, found in fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel, have established anti-inflammatory effects. These essential fats can help calm the overactive immune response that contributes to joint pain and swelling in RA.
A review of multiple small clinical trials found that people with RA who took omega-3 supplements had reductions in symptoms, including morning stiffness and joint tenderness.
How to take it: The best way to increase your omega-3 intake is to eat cold-water fish like wild salmon (not farmed), mackerel, cod, or sardines a couple of times per week, says Neha Shah, MD, a rheumatologist at Stanford Medicine in California.
“I don’t recommend eating it more than that, because there is a risk of accumulating ocean-borne toxins like mercury. You can also get omega-3s from foods like walnuts, chia seeds, or flaxseed,” says Dr. Shah.
If you can’t get enough omega-3s from foods, supplements could help, she says.
Choose high-quality products that have been tested for mercury and other contaminants.
“I typically recommend a dose of 500 to 1,000 milligrams (mg) once or twice a day, depending on how much a person is already consuming in their diet and what they can tolerate,” says Shah.
And always talk to your doctor before you start taking omega 3-supplements, especially if you’re on blood thinners, as they can affect clotting.
2. Turmeric (Curcumin)
Turmeric is a golden-yellow spice that comes from Curcuma longa, a perennial plant native to South Asia. For centuries, it’s been used as a spice in Indian foods and in ayurvedic medicine. Its active ingredient, curcumin, has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
It's thought that curcumin may help restore the correct balance between T cells (white blood cells) that cause inflammation and those that protect against it, which is at least part of the disease process in RA.
A meta-analysis published in 2023 of six studies found that curcumin supplements helped reduce joint pain and swelling and lowered inflammation levels.
How to take it: You can use turmeric in your cooking, but most experts agree it would be hard to get a meaningful amount of curcumin that way; supplements provide a much higher concentration of curcumin. Look for formulas that include black pepper extract (piperine), which boosts absorption.
Bear in mind, however, that curcumin and black pepper can cause interactions with certain medications, so it’s always best to review your plans with your healthcare provider before starting a supplement.
Experts recommend a dose of 500 mg of curcumin twice a day, and it’s more available to your body if you take it with a meal where you consume some fat.
3. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for bone health and immune function, two areas that are especially relevant for people with RA. And low levels of vitamin D are common in people with autoimmune conditions, including RA, says Shah.
The vitamin plays a role in the immune pathways of many diseases, which is why supplements are recommended in people who have below-normal levels. Normal levels are between 30 and 100 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
“I frequently check vitamin D levels, and I do recommend supplements to my patients who are deficient to get them in the adequate range,” Shah says. “The data suggesting that vitamin D helps with disease activity is mixed, but it’s important for bone health and osteoporosis prevention.”
One study that looked at vitamin D and omega-3 supplements found that taken together, the supplements may help reduce the risk of autoimmune disease.
A meta-analysis published in 2025 found that vitamin D supplementation reduced inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and disease activity in people with RA, though the authors couldn’t draw conclusions about the optimal dosage and how long to take the supplements.
How to take it: Sun exposure helps the body produce vitamin D naturally, but many people, especially those with darker skin or limited sun exposure, may need more.
The first step is to ask your doctor to test your vitamin D level to find out if you’re deficient.
If you show a deficit, you may be able to get enough through your diet by eating more foods that are fortified with vitamin D — things like milk, yogurt, cereal, and orange juice.
Many clinical trials use a dose of 2,000 IU of vitamin D a day. But because high doses of vitamin D can be toxic, talk with your provider before you add the supplement to your RA treatment plan.
4. Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support gut health, and emerging research suggests they may also play a role in regulating the immune system. This connection has generated a lot of interest and ongoing research in autoimmune diseases, including RA.
But right now, the data just isn’t there yet, says Shah. “There has been a promising study that found the benefits of Lactobacillus casei in RA, but more research is needed.” The study, published in 2014, found that the probiotic improved inflammatory cytokines and symptoms.
A few issues keep Shah from making general recommendations on probiotics to her RA patients.
“One concern stems from the fact that some patients are immunocompromised because of the biologics they are taking to control RA. Although it is extremely rare, there have been a few case reports where the bacteria strain of a probiotic a person was taking moved out of the gut and into the bloodstream, which causes sepsis and is potentially fatal,” she says.
“This very rare event could happen if the person has issues with their gut lining and they were taking very high concentrated probiotics of a very specific strain,” says Shah.
The other issue is the lack of solid evidence: Very few studies have looked at probiotics in people with RA.
“In 5 or 10 years, we may have more advanced studies so that we can make general statements about a particular probiotic that will be helpful for all or most people, but right now we don’t have that evidence,” she says.
How to take it: Again, Shah recommends diet changes rather than supplements. Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi naturally contain probiotics. She also recommends a diet rich in legumes, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to meet the daily recommended amount of fiber, which is between 25 and 30 grams (g) a day.
Supplement Smarts
Although dietary supplements may offer benefits, they also come with risks — especially if you take multiple products, combine them with prescription drugs, or choose brands that haven’t been tested for purity. Look for brands that have been tested and validated by an independent third party, such as ConsumerLab.com.
Always talk with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements.
The Takeaway
Supplements show promise in helping manage symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but they should be used as an add-on, not a replacement for your prescribed medications.
Most experts recommend a “food first” approach to getting the right amounts of vitamins and nutrients.
Research into probiotics for RA is still in the early stages, with only a few strains showing potential benefits. For now, a diet rich in fiber and fermented foods is the safest way to support gut health.
Always speak with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Certain products may interact with medications or pose risks, especially for people who are immunocompromised.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
England BR et al. 2022 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for Exercise, Rehabilitation, Diet, and Additional Integrative Interventions for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatology. May 25, 2023.
Hahn J et al. Vitamin D and Marine Omega 3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Incident Autoimmune Disease: VITAL Randomized Controlled Trial. The BMJ. January 26, 2022.
Ranjbar M et al. Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Heliyon. February 15, 2025.
Alipour B et al. Effects of Lactobacillus casei Supplementation on Disease Activity and Inflammatory Cytokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. March 27, 2014.
Beth Biggee, MD, is medical director and an integrative rheumatologist at Rheumission, a virtual integrative rheumatology practice for people residing in California and Pennsylvania. This first-of-its-kind company offers whole person autoimmune care by a team of integrative rheumatologists, lifestyle medicine practitioners, autoimmune dietitians, psychologists, and care coordinators.
Dr. Biggee also works as a healthcare wellness consultant for Synergy Wellness Center in Hudson, Massachusetts. Teamed with Synergy, she provides in-person lifestyle medicine and holistic consults, and contributes to employee workplace wellness programs. She has over 20 years of experience in rheumatology and holds board certifications in rheumatology and integrative and lifestyle medicine. Dr. Biggee brings a human-centered approach to wellness rather than focusing solely on diseases.
Dr. Biggee graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree from Canisius College, and graduated magna cum laude and as valedictorian from SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse Medical School. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Yale New Haven Hospital, completed her fellowship in rheumatology at Tufts–New England Medical Center, and completed training in integrative rheumatology at the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. Following her training, she attained board certification in rheumatology and internal medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine, attained board certification in integrative medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties, and attained accreditation as a certified lifestyle medicine physician through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She is certified in Helms auricular acupuncture and is currently completing coursework for the Aloha Ayurveda integrative medicine course for physicians.
In prior roles, Dr. Biggee taught as an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital (an affiliate of Columbia University). She was also clinical associate of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and instructed "introduction to clinical medicine" for medical students at Tufts. She was preceptor for the Lawrence General Hospital Family Medicine Residency.
Dr. Biggee has published in Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, Arthritis in Rheumatism, Current Opinions in Rheumatology, Journal for Musculoskeletal Medicine, Medicine and Health Rhode Island, and Field Guide to Internal Medicine.
Becky Upham has worked throughout the health and wellness world for over 25 years. She's been a race director, a team recruiter for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a salesperson for a major pharmaceutical company, a blogger for Moogfest, a communications manager for Mission Health, a fitness instructor, and a health coach.
Upham majored in English at the University of North Carolina and has a master's in English writing from Hollins University.
Upham enjoys teaching cycling classes, running, reading fiction, and making playlists.
