Millions of suffer from arthritis, a joint condition caused by inflammation and pain, reports the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine. Factors, including genetics, age, weight, previous injury, occupational hazards or illness, can cause arthritis. Although it is incurable, many patients choose to take anti-inflammatory or pain medications. Avoiding certain foods and changing your diet can also improve arthritic symptoms.
Milk
Dairy foods, particularly milk, can worsen joint pain and inflammation in arthritis patients, notes the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine. They advise that the problem results from milk protein, commonly found in whole and low-fat milk. The Arthritis Today website explains that arthritis patients often become allergic to milk, which further worsens the body's reaction to drinking it. Rice and soy milk provide healthy alternatives to arthritic patients who want to continue drinking milk.
Eggs
People with arthritis normally have higher levels of antibodies against egg products, which means that an allergic connection between arthritis sufferers and eggs may exist, states the Arthritis Today website. Not all arthritis patients are allergic to eggs, but they may contribute to increased inflammation and joint pain in some people if infection in the immune system occurs. Although more research needs to be conducted, Arthritis Today advises that arthritis patients choose foods like fish, vegetables and fruits instead of eggs.
Beef
Diets exceedingly high in saturated fat and total fat can worsen arthritis symptoms. The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine explains that beef, high in saturated fat, remains a food that arthritis sufferers should avoid. They also note that vegan diets, which include no dairy or meat, can decrease pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Instead of eating meats like beef, the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine recommends whole grains, beans and fish products.
Eggplant
Eggplant may seem harmless and healthy, but nightshade plants, such as tomatoes and eggplants, increase pain levels in arthritis patients and should be avoided in favor of vegetables like broccoli and spinach, states the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine. Nightshade vegetables contain a possible link to arthritis. Alkaloids, a primary substance in nightshades, may worsen or damage healthy joints and bones. The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine reports that once eggplants are removed from the daily diet, most arthritis patients start to feel better.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Arthritis
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health: Arthritis and Nutrition
- Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine: Foods and Arthritis
- Arthritis Today: Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet: RA and Food Allergies
- Joy Bauer, R.D., M.S., C.D.N: Fight arthritis with these foods, Oct 2007
