Arthritis is pain, and there is no doubt about it no matter which form or where in your body you experience it, this condition is painful. Arthritis affects the body where two bones meet, also known as joints. There are over a hundred conditions involving arthritis. Certain medications and exercises can help ease the painful symptoms associated with arthritis. There are also foods we can avoid to stop the painful flare-ups of arthritis.
Nightshades
Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, pimientos, paprika and hot and sweet peppers all have one basic thing in common: alkaloids. These alkaloids tend to have an impact on muscles, nerves and joints. Eating these foods can create an increase of cholinesterase, which inhibits glycoalkaloids and steroids. This may cause arthritis because it creates inflammation and pain. It is best to avoid these foods. If you do eat one of these nightshades, it can take up to 48 hours for the flare-up dissipate.
Gluten
Many people who suffer from arthritis in major joints might want to check into gluten intolerance. Gluten, which is found in wheat, oats, rye, and barley, can be the culprit for arthritic flare-ups. Research completed by the American College of Rheumatology suggests that gluten can exacerbate symptoms and create inflammation of the joints. A gluten-free diet could include fruits and vegetables (non-nightshade), seeds, nuts, rice crackers, breads, cold-water fish, tuna and olive oil.
Processed Foods
Some people use the anti-inflammatory diet to help with the symptoms of arthritis. This diet suggests that people avoid processed foods. These foods can include polyunsaturated vegetable oils, canned fruits and vegetables, frozen dinners, smoked or processed meats, soda, chips and sugar-coated breakfast cereals to name a few. A lot of these processed foods contain trans-fats, salt and high-fructose corn syrup, which promotes inflammation.
Other Foods to Avoid
There are people with arthritis that find they are unable to tolerate dairy products. Fatty meats, high-fat dairy foods and shellfish should all be avoided. They have a compound in it called purine, which converts to uric acid. This acid forms crystals that eventually settle in the joints, causing pain. Very lean meats, fish and beans can be substituted to obtain a healthy portion of proteins. Sugar should also be avoided as it is known to cause inflammation. Sugar can also produce weight gain, which can cause additional stress on certain joints.
References
- Alternatives 4 Arthritis
- Gluten Intolerance; Beatrice Hunter; 1987.
- Prescription for Nutritional Healing; Phyllis A. Balch; 2006.
