WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- While no cure has yet been found for arthritis -- suffered by one in seven Americans -- researchers believe there are promising treatments that deserve further study, including the role of antioxidant vitamins, including Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

"Large, long-term studies of these supplements are needed," a new medical essay published by the Mayo Clinic Health Letter reports. So far, the Mayo Clinic publication noted, Vitamins C and E, along with fatty acids found in cold water fish, have been shown to be moderately effective in relieving arthritis pain.

Nearly 43 million Americans have arthritis, and almost everyone develops the most common form, osteoarthritis, as they age.

One of the most severe forms of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease which can affect the entire body. Previous research on Vitamin E has demonstrated that it can help strengthen the body's immune system to fight off free radicals, agents that contribute to numerous diseases.

Vitamin E and other antioxidants have been credited with helping defend against heart disease, cancer, age-related eye problems and numerous other illnesses and diseases.

With Americans suffering from more than 100 different types of arthritis, researchers are hopeful that further research, including on antioxidants Vitamin C and Vitamin E, can lead to new therapies to combat arthritis.

More than a billion dollars a year is spent by Americans on a wide variety of treatments that are supposed to help relieve arthritis, ranging from acupuncture to bracelets and rings.