Are Beets Bad For Arthritis

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Q: After successfully using castor oil to heal those pesky fingertip cracks I get every winter , I decided to try it on the corners of my mouth. They are always cracked and sometimes bleed.

Nothing Ive tried previously from switching toothpastes to topical and systemic antibiotics or antifungals has made a difference, and this has been a problem for several years. After a single night using the castor oil, the cracks had healed significantly. After just one week of use, healing was complete.

A: Castor oil has been used for thousands of years orally as a laxative and topically to treat bruises and warts. Yours is the first report that it helps heal cracked fingertips or angular cheilitis . These painful cracks at the corner of the mouth may be caused by a fungal infection. Castor oil has antifungal activity .

Q: I work on a computer all day, and my workspace is far from ergonomic. For months, I have been waking up with tingling or asleep hands.

I have wrist braces for carpal tunnel syndrome. They help, but theyre not really comfortable, and I dont want to wear them all the time.

The past few nights, Ive had pickles and pickle juice with dinner on the advice of my boyfriend. On those nights, Ive had no tingling at all!

Can’t Beat Beets For Best Bone And Joint Food

Dr. Loniewski gives you a wonderful nitric oxide loaded Michigan beet salad recipe which should help optimize your stem cells.

Beets cant be beat as the best bone and joint food! Beets the highest level of nitric oxide content which is not only beneficial for your joints, but it also helps with stem cell growth. I highly suggest a simple diet of roasted beets over a kale salad sprinkled with feta cheese and pumpkin seeds as a wonderful, healthy and tasty salad. Best thing is that some of the best beets in the world are grown right here in Michigan. Click here for Dr. Loniewskis pain busting beet and kale salad. Enjoy!

If you are interested in making an appointment with Dr. Loniewski , call 810-299-8552 or use our on-line request form.

Pain Busting Beet and Kale Salad- Serves about 4

Ingredients:

• 3 medium to large raw beets- preferably from Michigan.
• One bunch of fresh kale washed and chopped into bite size pieces
• 4 ounces of feta cheese cut into bite sized cubes or crumbled
• ¼ cup of shelled, roasted and salted pumpkin seeds
• ½ fresh lemon squeezed with seeds removed
• 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of dijon type mustard
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ¼ teaspoon of coarse ground pepper
• ½ cup of olive oil

Dressing

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Do Any Foods Make Arthritis Worse

Some people feel that certain foods are bad for arthritis and that cutting them out helps with their symptoms. Some of the foods people worry about include:

• citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit
• vegetables from the nightshade family including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, chillies and aubergines
• gluten, a protein found in pasta, bread and cereals.

Theres no evidence that diets where certain foods are cut out, also known as exclusion or elimination diets, are helpful for people with osteoarthritis. They have been shown to sometimes help people with rheumatoid arthritis, though the food that may cause symptoms is likely to be different for each person.

This could be for a number of reasons, including the person being allergic or intolerant to the food they cut out, rather than being directly related to the arthritis. If healthy foods are not affecting your symptoms, you dont need to cut them out of your diet.

If you want to try cutting certain foods out of your diet to see if it improves your symptoms, the important thing to remember is to speak to a doctor or dietitian first. Theyll be able to support you and make sure youre trying out the change to your diet safely. Some foods are present in things we dont realise, so they can also help make sure you really are cutting out everything you plan to.

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Food As Treatment For Arthritis

Arthritis symptoms can include joint swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Some forms of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, are inflammatory diseasescaused by inflammation in the body that affects the joints and other systems. Others, like osteoarthritis, are the causes of inflammation, particularly in the joints.

Either way, managing and reducing inflammation is essential to reducing pain, stiffness, and swelling for both types of conditions. Inflammation associated with arthritis is often targeted by medications with the aim to help improve symptoms and decrease pain. Certain foods also have inflammatory properties, making them a powerful complementary treatment for arthritis.

Researchers have found that the Mediterranean diet may provide benefits in reducing pain and swollen and tender joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients. One study looked at adherence to the Mediterranean diet and pain associated with osteoarthritis. It concluded that, within the study group of 4330 subjects, a lower risk of osteoarthritis symptoms and pain was associated with those who followed a Mediterranean diet pattern.

Other studies have looked at a general anti-inflammatory diet and its impact on arthritis. One research trial saw a positive effect of an anti-inflammatory diet on disease activity in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

May Help Fight Inflammation

Beets contain pigments called betalains, which possess a number of anti-inflammatory properties .

This could benefit several aspects of health, as chronic inflammation has been associated with conditions like obesity, heart disease, liver disease, and cancer .

One study in 24 people with high blood pressure found that consuming 8.5 ounces of beet juice for 2 weeks significantly reduced several markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha .

Plus, an older 2014 study in people with osteoarthritis a condition that causes inflammation in the joints showed that betalain capsules made with beetroot extract reduced pain and discomfort .

Beetroot juice and extract have also been shown to reduce kidney inflammation in rats injected with toxic, injury-causing chemicals .

Still, more studies in humans are needed to determine whether enjoying beets in normal amounts as part of a healthy diet may provide the same anti-inflammatory benefits.

Summary

Beets may have a number of anti-inflammatory effects, although further research in humans is needed.

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Grapefruit Lemon Lime And Other Citrus Fruits Are Bursting With Antioxidants Which Help Quell Inflammation

The most troubling symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis pain, stiffness, and swelling stem from the same source: inflammation. What to do? Part of the answer may involve your diet.

Findings from a study published in April 2021 in Arthritis Research & Therapy, showed that patients with rheumatoid arthritis had significantly more pro-inflammatory diets, and those individuals with RA who were able to lower diet-associated inflammation between 2011 and 2017 were also able to maintain low disease activity. That particular result was extraordinarily strong and consistent as indicated by more than 3.5 times greater odds of maintaining good control over the disease compared with those who did not adopt a more anti-inflammatory diet, said study coauthor James R. Hébert, MSPH, ScD, Health Sciences Distinguished Professor and director of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Even more important, since the study was conducted over a number of years, it shows that the beneficial effect of a low inflammatory diet is long-term. Because such a diet can be extraordinarily diverse and sensually pleasing, it can be very easy to maintain over very long periods of time, added Hébert, via email.

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Beets Reduce Dementia Risk

Beets produce nitric acid, which helps increase blood flow throughout your body, including to your brain. MRIs done on older adults showed that after eating a high-nitrate diet that included beet juice, the subjects had more blood flow to the white matter of their frontal lobes.

Heres how to spot the early signs of dementia.

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Fact: Jurys Still Out On Gluten

Is there a link between gluten and joint pain? For people with a disorder called celiac disease, there definitely is. But for RA, the answer isnt so clear. A lot of people say their symptoms get better when they cut out it out of their diet, but theres not a lot of research to back that up. Still, it may be worth discussing with your doctor.

What Are The Causes And Risk Factors Of Arthritis

The cause of arthritis may vary according to the type of the disease. Most types of arthritis do not have a known cause.

Research has revealed the role of three major factors in certain types of arthritis:

• Genetic factors cause some types of arthritis to run in families.
• Physical activity and diet affect arthritis symptoms.
• The presence of other medical conditions such as infections and chronic diseases such as lupus puts you at risk for arthritis.

Several factors may increase a personâs risk for arthritis:

• Age: The risk of getting arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, increases with age. Age may also worsen the symptoms of arthritis.
• Gender: Arthritis generally affects women more often than men.
• Weight: Being obese or overweight puts extra stress on the joints that support an individualâs weight. Increased weight beyond the normal range for a personâs age and height increases joint wear and tear, and the risk of arthritis.
• Occupation: Certain jobs may involve the worker to keep doing the same movements repeatedly. These include jobs where one needs to do heavy lifting or repeated fine work as done by musicians. It can cause joint stress and/or an injury, which may lead to arthritis.
• Injury: Joint injury or trauma may cause osteoarthritis.
• Autoimmune diseases: These may misdirect the immune system towards the joints as seen in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
• Infections: Certain infections may lead to joint inflammation as seen in tubercular arthritis and .

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Whole Grains May Help You Lose Weight And Lessen Pain

Much has been made of the health benefits of whole grains, and for good reason, Sandon says. Whole grains are simply grains that still have all three parts of the original grain: the bran , endosperm, and germ.

Whole grains are better sources of fiber and other important nutrients, such as selenium, potassium, and magnesium than refined grains. In addition, a diet rich in whole grains has also been linked to better weight control, which can help reduce pain and symptoms of RA.

So, switch from white bread to whole wheat, and from regular pasta to whole grain, Sandon says. Caution: When buying whole wheat bread, dont be misled by the label. It should read 100 percent whole wheat or have the Whole Grain Stamp from the Oldways Whole Grain Council. Also add other whole grains to your menu, like a bowl of oatmeal in the morning or a bulgur salad at night.

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How To Read A Nutrition Label

Learn which information on a nutrition label is most important for your nutritional needs .| By Lisa Milbrand

Detailed nutrition labels are supposed to make it easier for you to select healthy foods. But sometimes they cause information overload and confusion. Is it more important that something has fewer overall grams of fat or fewer trans fats? Are you better off getting fewer calories even if it means getting fewer nutrients?

Here are some tips for deciphering nutrition label information.

Focus on the Fats

Look for products with less than 1 g of saturated fat and no trans fat, says registered dietitian Jennifer Vimbor of Nutrition Counseling Services in New York.

If youre looking to lose weight, look for foods that are low in fat overall, she says.

Foods with the low fat label, for example, contain fewer than 3 grams of fat per serving.

Research shows that having some fat in your diet is good. Scan the labels for polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats, which are healthier than saturated fats.

Fill up on Fiber

Preliminary research indicates that a high-fiber diet lowers cholesterol and helps prevent diabetes. A high-fiber food has at least 5 g of fiber per serving.

Manufacturers sometimes process dietary fiber out of a product and then add processed fiber, so foods labeled high fiber might not be as healthy as they seem. Look for products made with bran, oats or other whole grains, which are nutritious sources of fiber.

Skimp on Sodium

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Can Beets Trigger Gout

Things to Watch Out For

One concern with eating beets is that eating a lot of beets may cause gout. Gout is an extremely painful condition caused by an increased uric acid level in your blood. The oxalates found in beets can increase your uric acid level, meaning that too many beets can lead to gout.

Green Tea: A Nice Cuppa May Sooth Your Joints

Green tea has an abundance of catechins that interrupt the expression of inflammation. Its effect on rheumatoid arthritis has been long studied one such study, published in August 2017 in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, reported that the consumption of green tea offers an overall anti-inflammatory effect. However, most studies have been on small samples. A newer study, published in the March 20, 2020, issue of Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism looked at a real-world, large scale study. Result: A higher intake of green tea was associated with lesser disease activity.

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Eye Health Benefits Of Beets

Beet greens are a good source of lutein, an antioxidant that helps protect the eyes from age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. They also contain a wide variety of phytochemicals that may help improve the health of your eyes and nerve tissues.

Heres more expert advice on how to improve your eyesight.

Juicing Done Right: 10 Rules To Follow

One of the cons of juicing is that its easy to fill up on calories. If youre going to do it right, keep an eye on the sugar content of your juices. Too much sugar not only makes it hard to lose weight but also can cause blood sugar spikes. Such spikes can make arthritis symptoms worse and could lead to diabetes and some cancers, Harris says.

Follow this list of dos and donts for juicing with arthritis.

Do: Work one or two juices a day into a healthy, plant-based diet while paying attention to calories. Tart cherry juice, for instance, is healthy but high in calories, so be sure its counted as part of your overall calorie allotment for the day, Angelone says.

Do: Drink juices made up of 80 percent vegetables and 20 percent fruits to limit sugars, Harris says.

Do: Pair your juice with protein, such as nuts or Greek yogurt, to help control your blood sugar.

Do: Try juicing with vegetables, fruits, and spices thought to have anti-inflammatory effects, such as ginger, which may help improve symptoms of osteoarthritis, according to a study published in 2013 in the Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. You can also try turmeric, cinnamon, and chili powder along with citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, berries, tart cherries, carrots, and leafy greens, Harris says.

Do: Scrub your produce with a clean brush. If arthritis makes chopping difficult, Angelone suggests buying precut fruits and vegetables.

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What Helps Relieve Joint Pain

The good news: While theres no cure for arthritis, lifestyle modifications can make a meaningful difference in how you feel.

There are several ways to alleviate arthritis pain, such as engaging in physical therapy, gentle stretching and yoga, eating healthy, and avoiding habits that promote inflammation such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or drinking sugary beverages like soda, says Mitri. Supplements such as turmeric and creams can also help.

Your diet is something you can easily take control of, and you may find following an anti-inflammatory diet, such as a whole-food, plant-based diet, and avoiding junk food helps you feel better. Certain foods, like refined carbohydrates and processed sugars, are known to trigger inflammation and can worsen symptoms of joint pain and arthritis.

A high sugar intake may contribute to unhealthy bacteria in your gut that may irritate your cells, so sugar-sweetened beverages like soda should be avoided. The same can be said for fried foods: Frying modifies the chemical makeup of food. Your body digests fried food differently, and triggers inflammation as it digests, says Hascalovici. Echoing Hascalovici, Mitri says that certain foods can promote inflammation and may worsen arthritis, such as fried foods, fatty meats, and processed baked goods. Sugary beverages like soda, juice, and alcohol can also worsen inflammation and trigger arthritis flare-ups, she continues. Read more on How one doctor used diet to heal his arthritis.

Is There Such A Thing As A Joint

Although the compounds in many foods are said to improve RA symptoms, more research is needed to determine just how much of those compounds would have to be eaten to derive the benefit.

What scientists know for sure is that there are important links between your stomach and inflammation, and that Western diets, with their emphasis on the fast, cheap, and highly flavorful, create the conditions for diseases like RA to flourish.

Its certain, for starters, that obesity is a risk factor for inflammatory conditions. Body fat generates substances that generate inflammation, and the more fat there is, the more inflamed the body will be. In addition, the foods that lead to obesity ones high in fat, sugar, salt, and processed ingredients are known to increase inflammation.

Also, scientists are increasingly finding out more about the ways that intestinal bacterial imbalances, which may result from high-fat low-nutrient diets, contribute to these conditions.

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That said, changing your diet probably won’t reduce inflammation enough for you to forgo other RA management treatments. But it can help reduce the amount of medication needed and the side effects of the medication, says Lona Sandon, PhD, RDN, an associate professor in the department of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, who is also an RA patient. And, Dr. Sandon adds, eating well has never been known to make any condition worse.

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