Suffering from Arthritis? Watch out on These Foods

The gravity of inflammation and pain caused by arthritis appeared to have bearing with the food consumption of the men and women afflicted by it, experts say, affirming scientific reports indicating that diets are likely triggers. Arthritis is a joint disorder characterized by inflammation and pain. Almost 50 million Americans have arthritis, according to U.S. health statistics. There are many types of arthritis but the most known are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

In those who are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, the cartilage between their bones slowly wears out, resulting to painful rubbing of bone against bone in the joints. The most commonly affected joints are in the knees, hands, spine, and hips. This often leads to replacement surgeries when all other interventions failed. Lately, there have been reports involving recalled hip implants by some companies due to serious complications. Stryker hip recall is among them.

On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis is more severe, but less common, form of arthritis than osteoarthritis. It is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints. Although swelling of the tissue around the joints and inflammatory arthritis are distinctive features of rheumatoid arthritis, the disease may also cause inflammation and damage in other organs in the body.

If you are suffering from any of these, it is important that you protect yourself from further harm. Be mindful of what your body is going through. Taking your medication is not enough, this should be combined with the right foods. However, you may already know what the right foods to eat are, but what about foods to avoid and those that might trigger pain and inflammation?

The following are the foods to be avoided:

1.       Nightshade vegetables

These kinds of vegetables have the substance solanine. According to McIlwain and Bruce, if this is not processed properly in your stomach, this will probably prompt join swelling and pain. Vegetables coming from the nightshade family are white potatoes, eggplants, red peppers, and tomatoes.

2.       Organ meat such as kidney and liver, red flesh fish, and red meat

These are purine-rich foods which convert into uric acid. Uric acid worsens the symptoms of arthritis. When you have arthritis it is essential that you keep a low calcium to phosphorous ratio. If phosphorous content is high, then more calcium is lost from the body.

3.       Sugar

They have a major impact on your blood sugar levels, and may lead to increased appetite and weight gain which is bad for the joints. Sugar does not absorb nutrients and calcium as well. Based on studies, sugar may increase inflammation. Granting it offers a quick energy boost, the high does not last.

4.       Salty foods

Salty foods may increase your blood pressure and fuel inflammation. When there is too much salt in your diet, it inhibits calcium absorption.

5.       Caffeine

Consumption of caffeine causes loss of vital minerals and vitamins from the body. Try to avoid decaffeinated drinks as well. Though these drinks are said to be decaffeinated, but they still contain caffeine. This may worsen the pain, stiffness and loss of flexibility related with arthritis.