Can Carbohydrates Exacerbate Arthritis?

Research in the first decade of the 2000s demonstrates a link between a specific class of carbohydrates and the development of rheumatoid arthritis; the research conducted, however, was a combination of animal studies and studies of arthritic human tissue, rather than a human study. That said, the direct link between carbohydrates, inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis creates a promising avenue for future arthritis research, as it shows that carbohydrates may be involved in the inflammatory response associated with the condition.

Inflammation

In rheumatoid arthritis, the body mistakes its own tissues as foreign bodies and attacks them, which triggers the inflammatory response, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This so-called "misdirected inflammation" causes the swelling, warmth, redness, stiffness, reduced range of motion and pain characteristic of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Over time, inflammation also leads to the erosion of joint cartilage and the swelling of the lining within the joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

In 2002, researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard Medical School identified a connection among carbohydrates, the inflammatory response and the eventual onset of rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers examined the tissue of arthritis patients and discovered that inflammatory cells gathered around a certain type of carbohydrate -- called a glycosaminoglycan -- that is a component of joint cartilage and the protective fluid within the joints. The researchers presented the results at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting in August 2002.

Low Carb Diets

Low carbohydrate diets demonstrate the ability to significantly reduce inflammation, particularly the levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein. According to a September 2004 study conducted by University of Pennsylvania researchers and published in the "American Journal of Medicine," C-reactive protein levels decreased more in the group of subjects that followed the low carb diet compared to those on the conventional low fat diet.

Caveat

The body relies on carbohydrates as its main source of fuel; completely removing carbohydrates from your diet or restricting them too harshly forces the body to convert its fat stores into ketone bodies for energy, and these bodies produce acid. If the carbohydrate deficit persists for an extended period, it can lead to ketoacidosis -- a rare condition that can damage organs. If you have arthritis, speak to your doctor or health-care provider about carbohydrates, and seek medical clearance before you embark on a low carb diet.