Foods to Avoid With Allergies and Arthritis

Authors Penny Kendall-Reed, N.D., and Stephen Reed, M.D., in "Healing Arthritis," make a connection between allergies and food sensitivities, and the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Although there is no conclusive evidence, if you suffer from both allergies and arthritis the following tips may help you. As always, consult with your health care practitioner before starting any new diet.

The Allergy-Arthritis Connection

The Reeds state that many people with arthritis have permeable digestive tracts. This means that when foods travel through the intestines instead of staying in the digestive organs, some food particles are absorbed into the blood stream. When food particles enter the bloodstream, allergies usually follow. Arthritis Today explains allergenic foods trigger arthritic flare ups when the immune system makes antibodies against allergenic substances; in some people the antibodies and protein bind together and form immune complexes that move around the body and stick into the joints, causing inflammation.

The Most Important Foods to Avoid

The Reeds state that two foods arthritis patients have trouble digesting and absorbing include dairy and wheat. Arthritis Today adds that hens' eggs, codfish, and pork may also present problems for many rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

Pinpointing Trigger Foods

While dairy and wheat top the chart of allergenic foods, everybody is different, and any food may be an allergenic food for you. The best way to pinpoint the exact foods that you need to avoid is to follow a month long elimination diet under a physician's direction.

The Elimination Diet

Arthritis Today recommends eating a diet of fruits, vegetables, meat and fish for one month. John Matsen, N.D., however states in his book "Eating Alive: Prevention Thru Good Digestion" that citrus, corn, pork, tomatoes and mushrooms are extremely allergenic for many people and should be excluded during any elimination diet. So it may be helpful to avoid those as well for the month.

Take Note of Your Trigger Foods

References

• "Healing Arthritis", Penny Kendall-Reed, N.D., and Stephen Reed, M.D.; 2004.
• "Arthritis Today: Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet: RA and Food Allergies"
• "Eating Alive: Prevention Thru Good Digestion", John Mateson, N.D.; 2008.