Introduction:
Arthritis is a common condition that causes frequent inflammation and pain or discomfort in the joints. While various variables can lead to the development of arthritis, food can significantly impact how the condition is managed. Some foods make arthritis symptoms worse by increasing bodily inflammation.
What Are the Different Types of Arthritis?
Chronic joint inflammation is a common health issue called arthritis. It is classified depending on the kind; it hurts joints, breaks bones, and damages other bodily components.
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Osteoarthritis: The most prevalent variety, osteoarthritis, is non-inflammatory, and there are more than 100 different varieties. In actuality, osteoarthritis may be detected in up to 40 percent of men and 47 percent of women during their lifetimes.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): In rheumatoid arthritis, the tissue lining the joints on both sides of the body is attacked by the body's own immune system. It could also have an impact on other bodily components.
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Psoriatic Arthritis: It is a form of arthritis that some sufferers with psoriasis experience. It is a type of Inflammatory arthritis.
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Gout: A kind of arthritis defined by excruciating pain, redness, and joint soreness. When too much uric acid crystallizes and accumulates in the joints, pain, and inflammation result. Another prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis is gout.
Can Diet Relieve Arthritic Pain?
A person's diet can help:
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Lower the body's inflammatory response levels.
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Keep a healthy weight.
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Encourage tissue health and recovery.
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In most cases, inflammation helps the body fight off infection and promotes the healing of wounds, protecting it from injury. However, persistent symptoms might emerge when inflammation lasts for a long time.
Inflammation levels are influenced by what a person consumes. Certain foods can cause inflammation, while others can reduce it. Numerous studies, according to the Arthritis Foundation, demonstrate how anti-inflammatory foods can lessen the discomfort and development of arthritis. Inflammation levels are also influenced by a person's body weight. Cytokines, which are immune cells that worsen inflammation, are produced by fat cells. A reasonable weight may be maintained by food, which may aid with inflammation and lessen pressure on the joints. And last, some foods can cause a certain form of arthritis. For instance, eating many purine-rich foods might cause a gout episode.
What Are the Foods to Avoid for Arthritis?
Unhealthy Fats: Different kinds of fat make the body more inflammatory.
The following activities should be avoided by someone with arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation:
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Omega 6 Fatty Acids: These acids are present in high concentrations in a number of oils, including maize, safflower, sunflower, and vegetable. Omega-6 fatty acids are not dangerous when consumed in moderation, although many Americans take large amounts of them.
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Saturated Fat: Meat, butter, and cheese are all sources of saturated fat. Less than 10 percent of a person's daily calorie intake should come from saturated fat.
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Trans Fats: This fat elevates inflammatory levels, lowers "good" cholesterol, and increases "bad" cholesterol.
Extra Sugar: According to researchers, those who regularly consume sugar-sweetened soda are at an elevated risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Regular consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks can also cause obesity, inflammation, and other chronic ailments. Sugar is often added to items. Always read the nutrition facts on breakfast cereals, sauces, and soft drinks since these items may have a surprisingly high added sugar content.
Salt-Rich Meals: Consuming too much salt or sodium may raise the risk of autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It could make RA symptoms worse. High salt intake can also elevate blood pressure and a person's chance of contracting other chronic illnesses, including renal and cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and stroke. Ideally, people should consume at most 2,300 milligram (or one teaspoon) of salt daily.
Nightshades: Solanine is present in a group of plants known as nightshades. The possibility that nightshades cause arthritic pain has not been proven by studies. Research on animals indicated that many nightshades might reduce inflammation. Conversely, solanine-rich foods may affect the gut flora and promote inflammation. However, the Arthritis Foundation encourages people with arthritis to cut nightshades out of their diet for a few weeks before reintroducing them one at a time.
Vegetable nightshade species include:
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Bell pepper.
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Tomatoes
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Eggplant.
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Potatoes
A person can keep note of any reactions they experience to a particular dish by keeping a food diary. They should cut out nightshades from their diet if they cause problems after being reintroduced.
Purine-Rich Food Sources: A doctor may recommend a low-purine diet in addition to drugs for gout sufferers. The body turns purines, which are found in diets, into uric acid. A gout episode can develop from an accumulation of uric acid in the circulation.
The following foods are rich in purines, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
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Beer and other alcoholic beverages.
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Meats like gammon, bacon, or lunch meats.
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Certain shellfish like mussels and scallops.
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Organ meat like liver.
A 2018 study found that various purine-rich foods, such as beans, cauliflower, and mushrooms, have no association with the risk of gout.
AGEs, or Advanced Glycation End Products: AGEs are inflammatory substances that can build up in tissues, especially as people age. AGE levels are frequently higher in people who have disorders like diabetes and RA. Therefore, lowering AGE levels might aid in lowering inflammation. The AGE levels in the body are raised by both fat and sugar. High-temperature cooking and specific food processing techniques also raise AGE levels in food.
Red and Processed Meats: Diets rich in dairy products and processed red meat may make arthritis symptoms worse. Some researchers have suggested red meat consumption has also been connected to the early onset of arthritis. However, plant-based diets may lessen the signs and symptoms of arthritis.
Refined Substances: Added sugars and grains that have undergone further processing to remove fiber and minerals are examples of refined carbs. White bread, various baked products, and sweets are a few examples of foods high in refined grains. High-refined carbohydrate diets may make arthritic inflammation worse. Consuming refined carbohydrates has been linked to an increased risk of obesity and can also raise insulin resistance. These two things are arthritic risk factors.
Conclusion:
It's crucial to pay attention to one's diet if they have arthritis and stay away from anything that can worsen it. Meals that should be avoided or consumed in moderation include processed and fried meals, sugar, dairy products, red meat, gluten, alcohol, nightshade vegetables, and salt. Instead, consume meals like fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein sources, and whole grains high in minerals and antioxidants. A healthy diet can assist in lowering bodily inflammation and enhance joint health, which can help one better to manage the symptoms of arthritis.
