The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are over 46 million people in America who suffer from arthritis. This condition affects the musculoskeletal system and targets the joints. Arthritis symptoms can include stiffness, inflammation, damage to joints and pain for many people. The CDC states that elevated levels of uric acid can cause certain forms of arthritic conditions. Along with a variety of medications and supplements, there are certain foods people should avoid to help manage the symptoms of arthritic pain.
Nightshades
The Neurological and Orthopedic Medical Surgery Journal published that diet appears to have an influence in treating arthritis. The article further states that nightshades such as tomatoes, potatoes, red and green peppers, tobacco, eggplants and all peppers (capsicum), including paprika, should be avoided. Research has shown a concern that deposits of cholinesterase-inhibiting glycoalkaloids and steroids can form from eating nightshade foods.
Calcium Inhibitors
Alan Rouse, author of Helping Arthritis the Natural Way, writes that calcium inhibitors such as dairy products (i.e., cheese, milk and butter) are very difficult for the human body to digest. This is because dairy products can leave behind fat deposits in the body and disrupt circulation. Other calcium inhibitors include eggs, chicken, alcohol, caffeine, red meat, refined sugar, sweets and synthetic sweeteners. There are good substitutes such as goat or sheep's milk for the arthritic person.
Gluten
Gluten can be a big culprit in exacerbating the symptoms associated with arthritis, so foods such as barley, wheat and oats can aggravate arthritis. It is advisable to reduce the amount of these foods that are ingested. A study conducted at the Center for Rheumatic Diseases in Norway discovered that wheat ingestion was accompanied by increased joint swelling and pain in many patients within two hours after eating the wheat.
Tips
People with arthritis should try to avoid high oxalic acid-containing foods. This includes such foods as plums, oranges, cranberries, grapefruit, corn, spinach, chard and rhubarb. Other foods that should be avoided, according to Phyllis A. Balch, author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing are coffee, malt, pork, rye and peanuts.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Get Arthritis Pain Relief
- Panush RS, Carter RL, Katz P, Kowsari B, Longley S, Finnie S. Diet therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism 1983;26:462-71.
