Americans are ravaged by more than 100 types of arthritis, according to Harvard Health Publications, resulting in a great deal of chronic pain and disability. Numerous conventional drugs and alternative treatments advertise they can relieve arthritis pain and return your life back to normal. One way you can manage your pain is by avoiding certain food triggers known to aggravate arthritis. Before modifying your diet to reduce your symptoms, consult your health practitioner first.
MSG
MSG is a food preservative and flavor enhancer that is added to almost every packaged food product on the market, says Manfred Mueller, president of the North American Society of Homeopaths. Mueller explains that the chemical induces a wide range of symptoms including headaches, hot flashes, cognitive dysfunction, dizziness and muskuloskeletal problems leading to joint and muscle pain. Along with packaged foods, MSG is widely used in Chinese and other Asian foods and restaurants. Read labels carefully and eliminate MSG from your diet to better manage your arthritis pain.
Wheat Gluten
Wheat gluten is a substance found in wheat flour. It is used by bakers to make breads chewy. Unfortunately, it is also a well-known food allergen. Some people who are sensitive to wheat and wheat gluetn may develop severe joint and muscle pain and a form of arthritis called sprue, according to the University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Along with arthritis symptoms, sprue often causes digestive tract problems, Chron's disease and other unpleasant symptoms. Replace wheat products with items made from other whole grains.
Purine-Rich Foods
Gout is a form of arthritis that affects the small joints in the toes and hands and may spread to large joints such as knees and elbows. It is caused by uric acid deposits in the joints. Uric acid is one of the final products of purine breakdown, and purines are a byproduct of protein breakdown. Certain foods that are high in purines are meat and poultry, shellfish, organ meats and high-fat dairy products. The combination of animal fat and purines is one of the causes of gout arthritis. Replace the purine-rich foods with proteins such as fish, legumes and low-fat dairy products.
Nightshade Vegetables
The nightshade vegetable family includes peppers, tomatoes, white potatoes and eggplants. These vegetables contain a chemical called solanine, which produces joint and muscle pain in sensitive people, according to the Hospital for Special. Although there is little scientific research, anecdotal evidence suggests eliminating these foods from you diet may reduce arthritis pain. In addition, tobacco is also a member of the nightshade family and may also contribute to arthritis pain in those who smoke.
References
- Hospital for Special Surgery: Eating Right with Arthritis: Arthritis Nutrition FAQs
- University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine: About Diet and Arthritis
- Harvard Health Publications-Harvard Medical School: Arthritis--Keeping Your Joints Healthy
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gout -- Lifestyle Changes
- Manfred Mueller RSHom(NA), CHC; North American Society of Homeopaths; Asheville, North Carolina
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon, MS and Sifu Teresa Graedon; 2002
