Vitamins for Ligaments & Tendons


 by Siddhi Camila Lama

Ligaments connect bone to bone and tendons connect muscle to bone. The function of these connectors is important for everyday activities and movements. But active people are prone to ligament and tendon damage due to the stresses of physical activity, especially repetitive motions.

Ligaments and tendons are important connective tissues in the body. Ligaments link bones to one another, while tendons connect muscles and bones. Ligaments and tendons are both essential for body function. They're especially important for people who perform regular strenuous physical activities and people who have jobs that require repetitive motions, like lifting or typing. Eating a balanced diet makes sure you're getting the right vitamins and minerals to keep your ligaments and tendons healthy. You can also take supplements if you're concerned about your ligament and tendon health.

Read More: Vitamins for Ligament Repair

Important Vitamins and Minerals

Several vitamins and minerals are related to ligament and tendon health. These vitamins and minerals also impact healing.

  • Vitamin A. According to a 2016 study in the American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Journal, vitamin A can help enhance collagen development. Collagen is important for the formation and function of tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone. Vitamin A can be found in many foods, including carrots, mangoes, squash and sweet potatoes.
  • Vitamin C. According to a 2016 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vitamin C can increase collagen production to help ligament and tendon function. Vitamin C is most commonly found in citrus fruits. Many foods have both vitamin A and vitamin C. Leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach have both, along with other beneficial vitamins and minerals.
  • Vitamin D. Vitamin deficiency slows healing of ligaments and tendons. It's important to get enough vitamin D, especially if you're physically active or suspect an injury.
  • Magnesium. Magnesium is an essential nutrient for good tissue health. Magnesium and tendon repair have been correlated for many years. Magnesium-deficient diets have been shown to increase degeneration of tendons and other connective tissues.
  • Trace minerals, including copper, manganese and zinc. The trace minerals play a role in collagen metabolism. Lack of these trace minerals results in poorer collagen synthesis and can negatively impact ligament and tendon health.

Read More: Will Certain Foods Help Heal Ligaments and Tendons?

Supplements for Ligament/Tendon Repair

If you're concerned about the health of your ligaments and tendons and think you're not consuming the recommended daily amount of vitamins and minerals, you can always take supplements. You may want to take supplements to promote healing if you've recently had surgery or an injury. They can also be a good idea for ongoing health problems, which is why some people may opt to take supplements for tendonitis or rotator cuff injuries. Supplements typically have cross-benefits; supplements for joint and tendon health can also be used for ligaments and vice-versa. Some examples of these supplements include:

  • Bromelain. An enzyme from the stem of the pineapple, bromelain has wound healing properties. It's been shown to be particularly effective as a supplement for tendon repair.
  • Curcumin. Curcumin is an antioxidant that inhibits the formation of new blood vessels. This is beneficial after tendon injuries. Consequently, curcumin can be useful as a supplement for tendon repair.
  • Gelatin. A 2016 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that vitamin C- enriched gelatin supplements could be used to increase collagen production and the other beneficial effects of vitamin C.
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are often studied together. Both have been shown to have protective effects on ligaments and tendons. They've also been shown to accelerate tendon and bone healing.
  • Taurine. Taurine is an amino acid with antioxidant properties and is naturally found in protein and milk products. It's been shown to improve tendon strength and promote wound healing.
  • Whey protein. Whey protein is good for tendon growth. Daily supplements of whey protein have been shown to increase the overall area of tendons.

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