Approximately one out of every five adults in the U.S., or 46 million Americans, has some type of chronic joint pain, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Pain severity can be mild to totally disabling, but if you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or gout, avoiding certain foods may help you gain some control over your symptoms. Information provided in this article is not intended to take the place of treatment by skilled medical professionals nor should dietary changes be used as a replacement for conventional treatments, such as drug therapy.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, occurs when the body's natural joint protector, cartilage, gradually wears away, causing bones to grate against each other. The most important foods you need to avoid if you have OA are foods that cause weight gain, such as high-fat, high-sugar and heavily processed foods. Excess weight, according to UMMC, puts greater strain on joints and increases cartilage loss. If you are already overweight, speak to your doctor about an eating plan that will allow you to lose weight at a safe rate.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, according to Selene Yeager's "The Doctor's Book of Food Remedies," occurs when the immune system becomes overactive and begins to attack the body itself, causing painful and inflamed joints. According to the Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis website, mild food allergies sometimes contribute to flare-ups. The website recommends limiting or avoiding dairy, refined sugar, chemical sweeteners, table salt, caffeine and red meats. You also might consider cutting your consumption of saturated fats. According to Yeager, a low-fat diet reduces the body's production of prostaglandins, which promote inflammation.
Gout
Gout, according to Yeager, occurs when the body breaks down protein byproducts called purines, producing uric acid, which then crystallizes around joints. If you have gout, avoid eating cauliflower, which according to Selene Yeager, contains a lot of purines. Other foods high in purines to avoid include oatmeal, wheat bran, mushrooms, green peas, green beans, spinach, asparagus, red meats and foods made with brewer's yeast such as beer, according to registered dietitian Maria Adams, writer for the Aurora Health Care website.
