Arthritis is a chronic disorder characterized by swollen and painful joints. The two common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, a loss of cartilage in the knee, hip, spine and finger joints, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that affects the joint lining. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, eating certain foods may cause arthritis inflammation and pain. Adjusting your diet to include healthier foods may prove effective in managing arthritis inflammation.
Milk
Milk has been associated with triggering arthritis symptoms such as inflammation. According to ArthritisToday.com, some arthritis patients may develop an allergic response to milk that subsequently creates joint inflammation. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health suggests you eliminate milk for up to one week to effectively monitor symptom relief. Because milk and other dairy products are beneficial sources of vitamin D and calcium, which helps to prevent fractures and strengthen bones, it is advised that you consult a physician if you encounter arthritis inflammation associated with milk consumption. Physicians typically recommend soy or rice milk as an alternative to whole or reduced-fat milk.
Nightshade Vegetables
Nightshade is a term used to describe certain plants that flower at night or prefer to grow in shady areas. Nightshade vegetables include peppers, eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes. Some patients develop sensitivity to alkaloids that are naturally present in nightshade plants, which contribute to arthritis inflammation and pain, reports the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Meat
The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine reports that a vegan diet, typically one that excludes all animal products, including all meat, fish, eggs and milk, reduces the compound that triggers inflammatory symptoms in arthritis patients. In particular, red meat has been found to be the common triggering factor. The journal "Arthritis and Rheumatism" suggests that eating large amounts of red meat on a daily basis appears to increase arthritis symptoms such as inflammation and pain.
High-Fat, High-Calorie Foods
While fat may not trigger arthritis symptoms, weight increases from eating foods with high amounts of fat and calories can worsen arthritis pain. This occurs because excess weight can cause further breakdown of bone tissue and cartilage as pressure is exerted on the joints, notes the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine. Weight loss through gentle exercise and diet is recommended to reduce joint inflammation and pain.
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
- "Today" Health: Joy Bauer, R.D., M.S., C.D.N: Fight Arthritis With These Foods
