Joint pain is often associated with arthritis and affects 46 million adults in the United States, according to Harvard Health Publications in their report "Arthritis: Keeping your joints healthy." There are over 100 different types of arthritis; the causes and treatments may vary with each individual. Many think that arthritis is a part of getting old, but other factors such as diet could lead to joint pain and the development of arthritis.
Identification
Food has either an acidifying or alkalizing effect on the body. Acidic foods are mainly animal sources such as meat, fish and dairy. Also, some plant-based protein foods such as legumes, beans and nuts are considered slightly acidic, but not as acidic as animal sources. Alkaline foods are primarily vegetables and fruits. The body keeps a healthy pH level of blood at 7.35 to 7.45, slightly on the alkaline side. Having too much acidic food in your diet may create an imbalanced pH level, and as a result a person may develop health problems.
Purines
Purines are found naturally in your body's cells and also found in the food you consume. When purines are broken down during digestion, they produce uric acid which your kidneys process and remove the excess through urination. If too much acid is being produced and your kidneys can't process and remove the excess acid fast enough, you develop a condition known as hyperuricemia -- high level of uric acid build up.
Effects of High Uric Acid
High levels of uric acid in your blood will lead to the development of crystals in and around your joints. The type of arthritis that forms urate crystals in your joints is known as gout. Consuming high purine foods such as red meat, game, fish, legumes, shellfish and organ meat can cause high uric acid levels and lead to gout. Alcohol is also a know trigger. Not only are these foods high in purines, but they are also considered to have a highly acidic effect on the body.
Identifying Gout
According to The Harvard Medical School, gout is very painful, and its primary source of pain comes from the joints. It usually strikes one joint at a time, most often the big toe; other sites include the heel, ankle and knee. The joint will become swollen, red and hot. Often fever, sore muscles and other flu-like symptoms occur because of the intense inflammation in the joint. If not treated, gout will result in permanent joint damage and can lead to long-term arthritis.
Considerations
Mayo clinic suggests, in order to reduce the chances of developing gout, or to prevent a gout attack you must limit the amount of high-purine, high-protein and highly acidic foods. Since all animal protein contains purines, you should only consume 4 to 6 ozs. daily. In order to get an adequate amount of daily protein, consume plant-based proteins such as beans and legumes. Additionally, water is important in removing uric acid from your body, Mayo Clinic notes. Consume 64 to 128 oz of water daily.
