ADVICE FROM DR. ARTHRITIS: WHAT NOT TO EAT WHEN YOU HAVE ARTHRITIS

If you suffer from arthritis, then you’re probably already familiar with the typical treatments available that help you manage the condition—medication, compression therapy, exercises, to name a few.

But what about diet?

Granted there’s no definitive arthritis diet. However, steering clear of these specific foods that exacerbate or trigger joint pain may actually help.

1. Processed food

According to a study conducted by a team of researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, reducing intake of fried and processed food lowers inflammation and helps restore the body’s natural defenses. This includes fried meat, frozen and microwave meals, and canned goods.

2. Food that has been heated, grilled, fried, or pasteurized

A specific toxin called advanced glycation end product (AGE) is produced whenever food is heated, grilled, fried of pasteurized. AGEs damage specific proteins in the body and as a fail-safe, the body tries to break the AGEs down with cytokines, which are inflammatory messengers. This whole process cold result in making your arthritis worse.

3. Sugar and refined carbs

High amounts of sugar in your diet also contribute to AGEs. You can get these from candies, processed food, baked good made with white flour, and soda. This means, if you want to manage swelling of your joints due to arthritis, you have to make a conscious effort to avoid a lot of junk food.

4. Dairy

Dairy products contain a specific type of protein that could contribute to arthritis pain because it can irritate the tissue around the joints. Some sufferers clear of typical kitchen staples like milk, cheese, and eggs. For alternatives, take your cue from vegans who consume nut butters, tofu, green leafy vegetables like spinach and quinoa.

5. Salt and preservatives

A lot of food available to us today, whether it’s grocery staples, or fast food fare, even fine dining options, contain a lot of salt and preservatives. For those who suffer from chronic pain due to arthritis, excessive consumption of salt typically leads to inflamed joints.

6. Corn oil

Corn oil. Or any oil that’s high in omega-6 fatty acids may satiate your taste buds, but there have been studies showing that these can actually trigger inflammation in your joints. You can instead try replacing them with anti-inflammatory omega-3 alternatives, which you can get from olive oil, nuts, flax and pumpkin seeds.

For more information on the ideal diet for arthritis sufferers, you can check out this video from our YouTube page.