The effect diet has on joint pain is still largely unknown. Although research has investigated the effect that certain foods have on joint pain, the results are contradictory and complex. However, recent research studies seem to indicate that foods high in protein may increase joint pain in some cases. You consult always your doctor before changing your diet.
Causes of Joint Pain
A number of diseases and conditions can cause joint pain. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder. It occurs when cartilage is worn down, leaving bones to rub against each other. Other forms of arthritis, including gout and rheumatoid arthritis, create painful inflammation of the joints. Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition, causes all-over body pain, including in the joints. Treatment for joint pain varies depending on the exact cause, but often pain relievers are prescribed to treat the pain.
Gout and Protein
The research on diet and joint pain is generally mixed. Gout is the only type of arthritis that has been positively linked to diet in numerous research studies. A longitudinal study published in the "New England Journal of Medicine" followed, for 12 years, 47,150 men who had no history of gout. The researchers noted 730 confirmed cases of gout during the study, and they found that men who consumed the most protein in the form of meat and seafood were most likely to develop gout.
Protein and Fibromyalgia
A diet low in protein may help people with fibromyalgia, according to research published in the "Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology." The research specifically investigated the effects of a low-salt, uncooked vegan diet on symptoms of fibromyalgia. Researchers compared symptoms of 18 participants with fibromyalgia who followed a vegan diet over a three-month period to 15 participants with fibromyalgia who continued their omnivorous diet. The study found significant reduction in joint stiffness, quality of sleep and overall pain in the group on a vegan diet.
Other Joint Pain and Protein
According to Dr. Alan Goldhamer of TrueNorth Health Center, arthritis is more common in the United States than in other countries. In cultures where a very small quantity of animal protein is eaten, there are much lower incidences of arthritis. When people from these cultures relocate to a country where the diet is higher in animal fats and proteins, their incidence of arthritis increases. Although reducing your protein from animal fats may not slow down the progression of arthritis, it can reduce joint pain by diminishing inflammation in the joints.
References
- PubMed Health: Osteoarthritis
- PubMed Health: Fibromyalgia
- "New England Journal of Medicine"; Purine-Rich Foods, Dairy and Protein Intake, and the Risk of Gout in Men; Hyon K. Choi, et al.; March 2004
- "Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology"; Vegan Diet Alleviates Fibromyalgia Symptoms; K. Kaartinen, et al.; 2000
- TrueNorth Health Center; Arthritis and Joint Pain; Alan Goldhamer
- UW Medicine: Diet and Arthritis
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