Not feeling any pain in any part of their body would be translated by people as a sign of being fit and healthy. We only pay attention to our health when we feel any discomfort. For example, we become attentive to our joint conditions only when we get intolerable pain.
The unbearable pain of arthritis, for instance, will push us to start a management plan. When managing arthritis, it is important to know how your diet affects your joint health and how it can turn minor joint pain into a chronic condition. The management plan should include understanding what foods to avoid with arthritis, and which are best to control the progress.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a term that refers to several diseases that affect your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and osteoarthritis are some examples of these conditions.
When you’ve got arthritis, it means there is inflammation due to cartilage wearing away. However, how this entire process happens depends on the type of arthritis. If you have osteoarthritis, for example, it means your joint tissues start to break down causing your bones to rub together, hence the pain.
Causes and Types of Arthritis
Age, constant pressure on your joints, and health conditions like autoimmune diseases are possible reasons for arthritis to develop. That’s why it’s so important to get down to the causes and the type of arthritis you’re suffering from before you plan your management system.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the types:
- Osteoarthritis: This is the degenerative type where the cartilage breaks down resulting in bone-on-bone friction when you move.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: When you’ve got Rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks the tissue surrounding your joints, causing damage and swelling in the affected area. It is also known as a type of inflammatory arthritis.
Above are just two of the types of arthritis. Gout, for example, occurs when there is high uric acid buildup in your system. Apart from Rheumatoid arthritis, other forms of arthritis also develop due to problems with your immune system.
Symptoms of Arthritis
While symptoms differ with every type of arthritis, there are a few recognizable similarities. For example, arthritis affects your joints which leads to pain. Stiffness is also a very common symptom with all types of arthritis. Most people with gout experience a burning pain in one or more joints.
Swelling is another common sign especially when your immune system is involved. Redness and swelling around the affected joints are the most visible symptoms. These areas may also be warm to the touch.
8 Foods to Avoid with Arthritis
Many people don’t realize that some foods trigger arthritis. Your diet plays a role in how these diseases develop and their potential progression.
That’s why it’s important to know what foods are bad for arthritis. These and more will be discussed further in this article.
- Added sugars: Sugar has been linked to inflammation and might be the worst food for arthritis. Avoid too much sugar especially if you’re already struggling with inflammation.
- Processed and red meats: Similar to sugar, there is also a strong link between processed and red meats and low-grade inflammation. These foods can trigger inflammation or worsen your symptoms.
- Gluten-containing foods: If you’ve got celiac disease, you are more likely to develop joint disorders. While gluten is associated with your digestive system, it can trigger inflammation in your body.
- Certain vegetable oils: A high intake of saturated fats results in high cholesterol levels and poor blood flow which can exacerbate joint inflammation. Sunflower oil and some other types of vegetable oils are high in saturated fats.
- Foods high in salt: Your body needs a certain amount of sodium, but too much can be bad for you. It raises your blood pressure and even makes existing inflammation throughout your body worse.
- Nightshades: While nightshades, like tomato and aubergine, are generally considered healthy, they can also trigger or worsen arthritis. It’s important to understand these foods to avoid with arthritis if you have an autoimmune condition.
- Foods high in purines: High-purine foods include certain seafood and shellfish. Fish such as anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, codfish, scallops, trout, and haddock are high in purine and are triggers of joint diseases.
- Advanced glycation end (AGE) products: You need to understand these items when you’re asking about foods to avoid with arthritis as they can induce inflammation or worsen your condition.
Beverages to Avoid with Arthritis
Some beverages are better to avoid when you’re struggling with arthritis. Let’s take a look at some of them:
- Alcohol: All types of alcoholic beverages tend to increase systemic inflammation in the body. That’s why you need to regulate your alcohol intake if you can’t totally avoid it.
- Sugary drinks: The added sugar in drinks like sodas and artificially flavored beverages may contribute to a spike in your blood glucose levels. Too much of these sugary drinks can cause inflammation.
- Coffee: While coffee is known as an antioxidant, it can make your joint symptoms worse.
Can Diet Help Arthritis?
Diet is one of the things that can help you cope with arthritis. Whatever diet you follow, learning about which foods to include and the foods to avoid with arthritis can make a big difference.
Foods to Eat
Now that we’ve taken a look at which foods to avoid, let’s have your options if you want to know the foods for Rheumatoid arthritis and other joint diseases:
- Anti-inflammatory fats: Some fats are good for you. They do not only lessen the cholesterol in your blood but also lower inflammation levels.
- Fruits and vegetables: The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables can be a great way to fight against free radicals in your body and lower inflammation. Fiber in these foods helps to improve digestion and can positively impact nutrient absorption.
Other Tips for Managing Arthritis
Apart from knowing what foods to avoid with arthritis, you should also identify the other things you can do to manage your joint conditions well.
Start with a good supplement that supports your bone and joint health. Flexoplex joint health supplement, for example, contains natural ingredients that strengthen your bones, reduce inflammation, and even help to lessen your pain.
For a topical solution, you can also try Flexdermal, a joint pain relief cream. Apply it to the affected area and it should give you significant pain relief.
FAQ’s
Is arthritis a serious disease?
Yes, arthritis is generally considered serious. It’s important to understand how it affects you. Over time, as joints deteriorate, arthritis can affect your mobility and your ability to do things.
How do arthritis symptoms start?
It depends on what kind of arthritis you may have. However, mild joint pain is an initial symptom, especially in the early stages. In some cases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, swelling will also be present.
What vitamins help with arthritis?
Fish oil is one of the best nutrients you can take for arthritis. The fatty acids in the fish oil help to lower inflammation in your body and can reduce the degree of damage to your joints.
Summary
Arthritis can have a major impact on your health and daily life. If not treated properly, it can lead to disability. However, how you address this condition plays a big role in how your arthritis progresses. A change in your lifestyle and your food choices should help you deal with inflammation. Turn to healthy food options such as fruits and vegetables, whole foods, and other anti-inflammatory meals and you’ll experience a pain-free and active life.
References
1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507704/
2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7766268
3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8399701/
Amr
Amr Adel Helmy is a 29-year-old pharmacist who has established himself as an experienced medical content writer. He holds a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from the esteemed Faculty of Pharmacy at Alexandria University. Amr's passion for writing stemmed from his interest in healthcare, and he combined his knowledge of the medical field with his creative flair to become a proficient content writer. Throughout his career, Amr has worked on various projects, including medical articles, research papers, and informative blog posts for clients in the healthcare industry. He has a comprehensive understanding of medical terminology and can translate complex medical jargon into easily understandable language for the general public. Amr's dedication to his craft is reflected in the quality of his work, and his attention to detail ensures that each piece of content he writes is accurate, informative, and engaging. When he's not working, Amr enjoys reading about the latest advancements in healthcare and spending time with his loved ones.
