Can Diet Or Supplements Relieve Arthritis Aches & Symptoms?

"Arthritis" is a term that describes several different diseases that cause pain and stiffness in the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type. Usually caused by wear and tear on the cartilage in the joints, osteoarthritis affects the majority of adults as they age. Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease, is the second most common type. Dietary interventions, including supplements, may help relieve arthritis aches and symptoms. Use them under the supervision of a qualified health care provider.

The No-Nightshades Diet

A 1993 study published in the "Journal of Neurological and Orthopedic Medical Surgery" claimed that nightshades in the diet are a causative factor in arthritis, and that eliminating them may help relieve aches and symptoms. Although the study's results have not been duplicated by other researchers, the "no-nightshades" diet has drawn adherents among arthritis sufferers. The word "nightshades" describes a family of plants that includes peppers, eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes. According to the study's authors, 68 percent of patients who strictly eliminated all nightshades from their diets received various degrees of relief from arthritis aches and symptoms.

Mediterranean and Vegetarian Diets

Researchers from Oslo's National Resource Center for Rehabilitation in Rheumatology looked at data from 15 studies on arthritis and diet, and published their results in 2009. Their study concluded that two types of diets may be helpful for relieving arthritis pain: a Mediterranean diet with a preponderance of vegetables, fruits, healthy grains, fish and olive oil; and a plan in which patients fasted and then maintained a vegetarian diet. Most of the studies that the researchers analyzed were small, single trials, so the role of diet in arthritis is still uncertain.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements

Glucosamine and chondroitin, often combined together into a single arthritis supplement, are naturally present in cartilage. Many small studies have suggested that glucosamine and chondroitin are helpful in relieving arthritis pain, swelling and stiffness, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, a National Institutes of Health-sponsored study involving 1,600 arthritis patients has thrown those results into question. The study concluded that glucosamine and chondroitin did not provide pain relief for most patients, although it did reduce pain in a subset of patients with moderate-to-severe arthritis. More research is needed to determine the usefulness of this supplement. Talk to your health care provider before trying it.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants may be useful for relieving the aches and symptoms of inflammatory arthritis, according to a 2007 article by orthopedic surgeon Peter F. Sharkey. Free radicals, harmful molecules formed by exposure to pollutants and by normal metabolic processes, contribute to arthritis by disrupting the composition of the connective tissue, leading to cartilage deterioration. Dietary antioxidants combat these free radicals and neutralize them before they inflict damage. According to Sharkey, patients who consume adequate doses of antioxidants, including vitamins A, C and E, show fewer arthritis symptoms. You can get more antioxidants in your diet by eating nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, or by taking vitamin supplements. Use supplements under the supervision of a qualified medical professional.