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 person’s 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 individual’s weight. Increased weight beyond the normal range for a person’s 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 toward the joints as seen in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Infections: Certain infections may lead to joint inflammation as seen in tubercular arthritis and .
Can You Drink Alcohol If You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
Some research suggests that people who drink are less likely to develop RA, and that RA patients who drink may have less severe symptoms. But before you load up the liquor cabinet, hear this: According to a new Arthritis Care & Research study, which looked at data from almost 17,000 RA patients, those with severe symptoms are more likely to stop drinking than those with mild symptoms. The conclusion? People who feel well are more likely to drink than those who feel sick. In other words, drinking may be the result of feeling good, not the cause.
Still, moderate alcohol consumption with RA is generally considered safeunless youre taking certain RA medications.
Processed And Red Meats
Diets high in processed red meat and dairy
What a person eats can help:
- reduce inflammation levels in the body
- maintain a moderate weight
- promote tissue health and healing
Usually, inflammation protects the body from harm by helping defend against infection and aiding wound healing. However, when inflammation persists for an extended period, chronic symptoms can develop.
What a person eats has an impact on inflammation levels. Some foods are inflammatory, and others are anti-inflammatory.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, numerous studies show that anti-inflammatory foods can reduce arthritis pain and progression.
A persons body weight also influences inflammation levels. Fat cells produce cytokines, which are immune cells that increase inflammation.
A person can use a diet to maintain a moderate weight, which may help with inflammation and reduce joint pressure.
Finally, some types of arthritis have specific trigger foods. For example, foods high in purines
Consuming the following foods may benefit people with arthritis.
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Steer Clear Of Organ Meats To Avoid Gout Flare
If youre an adventurous eater whos prone to gout, youll probably want to steer clear of organ meats. Most organ meats are considered high-purine foods. A 100-gram serving of calfs liver, for instance, contains enough purines to produce 460 milligrams of uric acid, while the thymus gland of a calf has a staggering 1,260 milligrams .
In general, livers and spleens of different animals top the list of purine-containing foods. But a number of other organs are considered moderately high in purines. These include chicken livers, calf and pig kidneys, and calf and ox lungs. If you struggle with gout but dont want to give up organ meat, try cervelle de veau , which contains fewer than 100 milligrams of uric acid per 100-gram serving and is considered low in purines, per Elevated Health.
While it may be hard to find and even harder to convince yourself to try, this organ meat is quite nutritious. According to Medical News Today, they contain omega-3 fats and nutrients known as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine, which play an important role in the health of the nervous system.
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Best And Worst Foods For Arthritis
If you have arthritis, you may wonder if there are natural ways to reduce joint pain and inflammation. Incorporating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein and fiber into your diet is one way to do this. If you have questions about making changes to your diet, please talk with your doctor.
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Healthy Eating And Arthritis
Your body works best when you eat a wide range of healthy foods. Most people find that they feel better if they eat a balanced and varied diet to get all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients their body needs.
Try to eat a Mediterranean-style diet which includes fish, pulses, nuts, olive oil and plenty of fruit and vegetables. Eating a balanced diet and having an adequate fluid intake can also help provide you with better energy levels, help to maintain your weight, and give you a greater sense of wellbeing, which may improve your symptoms.
Always seek the advice of your doctor or dietitian before changing your diet. You may be restricting your food intake unnecessarily or taking too much of certain products that may have no impact on your condition at all. Some supplements may also interact with your medication.
Citrus Fruits Cause Inflammation
Some people believe that they should avoid citrus fruits because the acidity is inflammatory. However, this is not the case. In fact, citrus fruits have anti-inflammatory benefits, as well as being rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Grapefruit juice can, however, interact with some medicines that doctors use to treat arthritis. People who are undergoing treatment should check with a doctor before incorporating it into their diet.
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What Should Dogs Not Eat
There are many things you can put in your dogs food, but there are also things that you should definitely not feed them. These foods have a lot of negative effects on your dogs health, so keep these tips in mind the next time you go to buy food for your pet.
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Fried & Processed Foods
A study published in the 2009 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that fried foods contain toxins called advanced glycation end products. These products increase oxidation in the bodys cells and increase inflammation levels. Cutting out fried and processed foods can greatly reduce your levels of inflammation.
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Foods To Avoid With Arthritis
Some foods have been found to increase inflammation and should be avoided as much as possible if you have arthritis. These include:
- Mono-Sodium Glutamate This chemical ingredient is added to many foods as a flavor enhancer, most commonly in Asian foods like soy sauce, and has been shown to trigger inflammation. Look for it on food labels.
What about Gluten?
While some people believe gluten can worsen RA, there is no evidence to support this. However, those who are sensitive to gluten should avoid eating it in order to avoid bowel inflammation.
Alcohol and Tobacco
Cigarette smoking is bad for everyone, but in people with RA it has been shown to increase the severity of the disease. Smoking can also make it harder to manage RA. Studies show that people with RA who smoke are less likely to achieve remission and tend to have a worse prognosis.
Smoking can also increase painful rheumatoid nodules, which form in the joints, and can lead to heart disease, the leading cause of death in people with RA. People with RA are at greater risk for heart disease compared to the general population.
Drink Alcohol in Moderation
Foods To Avoid With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis , a chronic inflammatory disease, is a progressive condition. Managing RA involves getting treatment for your symptoms, as well as treatment to slow down disease progression. One way to manage your condition is through diet changes.
Studies indicate that diet plays an important role in the risk of RA and disease progression. And just as many different types of foods offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, otherslike trans fats, red meat, and sodiumcan worsen RA symptoms and increase disease activity.
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What Foods Should You Avoid If You Have Arthritis
Inflammation, a key cause of arthritis, is frequently exacerbated by a persons diet. Changing ones diet can help alleviate arthritis symptoms for some people. This may entail avoiding foods that cause inflammation, such as saturated fat and sugar. It could also entail avoiding high-fat foods.
While there is no cure for arthritis, there are a number of effective therapies available. The most important of these is to avoid foods that aggravate joint pain and eat ones that relieve it.
Nightshade Vegetables Cause Inflammation
Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers all contain the chemical solanine, which some blame for arthritis pain. However, the Arthritis Foundation say that there is no scientific evidence for this. Adding these nutritious vegetables to the diet can have many benefits for chronic health conditions.
There is evidence that certain foods and nutrients can improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. They do this by fighting inflammation, providing nutrition, and boosting bone, muscle, and immune system function.
People may also benefit from avoiding or restricting foods that contribute to inflammation.
Being overweight or obese places extra pressure on the joints, which can make the symptoms of osteoarthritis worse.
Eating a balanced diet rich in plants, fiber, and anti-inflammatory fats, such as those that the Mediterranean diet includes, can help people living with osteoarthritis to maintain a healthy weight.
This will help to ease symptoms, such as pain and swelling.
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Foods You Should Stay Away From
- Tobacco & Alcohol
Tobacco and alcohol can aggravate arthritis while also causing a number of other health problems. Smokers are more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis, whereas alcoholics are more likely to acquire gout, according to HealthLine.com. Cut back on drinking and smoking to keep your joints healthy. Promote a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a regular sleep schedule. Your body will be grateful!
- Preservatives & Salt
Excess salt consumption has been linked to joint inflammation in a number of patients who suffer from arthritis. Many people are unaware that many goods contain excessive amounts of salt and other chemicals in order to extend their shelf life. If possible, avoid frozen meals and read food labels to decrease your salt intake.
- Milk and Dairy Products
The types of proteins found in dairy products may contribute to arthritis discomfort. These proteins may irritate the tissue around the joints, according to HealthLine.com and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Some arthritis sufferers have found success converting to a vegan dietwhich excludes all animal products, they write. Switching to alternate protein sources like spinach, beans, lentils, and quinoa may assist if meat and dairy are your primary sources of protein.
- Sugars and refined carbohydrates
- Foods that have been fried or processed
The Link Between Diet And Arthritis
Before we discuss foods to avoid, it might be helpful to explain the relationship between diet and arthritis as a whole. Like we mentioned above, food itself wont cause arthritis. Sadly, there isnt a magical diet that will immediately cure the arthritis symptoms you experience either. However, the food you eat may affect how you feel and how you experience arthritis symptoms.
Lets start with the basics. The benefits of a healthy diet include helping you maintain a healthy body weight, reducing your risk of certain chronic diseases, and supporting your overall health and well-being.i Body weight in particular plays a role in osteoarthritis. Too much body weight adds stress to weight-bearing joints, like hips and knees.ii Diet can also affect arthritis by triggering inflammation.iii Avoiding food triggers when you have arthritis is a must.
Below, youll find a list with some of the worst foods for arthritis pain, along with some tips for healthy food swaps you can make. Read on to learn more.
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Should You Try An Elimination Diet For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Figuring out which foods are better or worse for your symptoms may come down to trial and error. Some doctors recommend cutting out common allergy triggers like milk, meat, and processed foods, then gradually reintroducing them one by one to see if any cause a reaction.
Other experts are wary of this approach, since elimination diets can result in nutritional imbalances that may lead to anemia and make you feel worse. If youre curious about trying an elimination diet, it’s best to consult a registered dietitian first. Ask your doctor to hook you up.
What Foods Trigger Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of chronic inflammatory arthritis that is associated with flares and remissions. Flares are the times when you experience the signs and symptoms of RA, and remissions are periods when those signs and symptoms disappear.
Researchers have not yet found a specific diet for rheumatoid arthritis, but some evidence suggests that certain foods can trigger your RA symptoms and make them worse.
7 types of food and alcohol to avoid with RA
Foods that are likely to increase the inflammation in your body and cause weight gain fall under this category, which includes:
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The 7 Best Foods For Arthritis
I am frequently asked what foods someone should eat to help a particular condition, and it usually comes back to the basics: fruit, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein sources, says McInerney. She also notes that the best diet depends on the type of arthritis, weight status, and any medications that the patient takes that may affect certain foods.
Hinkley agrees: Overall, eating a heart-healthy or Mediterranean type of diet will have the biggest impact on arthritis symptoms, but learning how to incorporate more possibly anti-inflammatory foods and spices in your diet may help you discover new nutritious meals that you enjoy. In fact, this type of diet is often recommended by a registered dietitian for those who want to improve their overall health and wellness.
Purified Carbohydrates And Sugar
AGEs, or advanced glycation end products, rise when people eat a lot of sugar every day. There is a lot of inflammation caused by AGEs, so this is what they do. Further, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says that processed sugars cause the body to release inflammatory messages called cytokines when theyre eaten. There are a lot of ways to make sure you dont eat too much sugar, but one strategic approach is to search for words that end in ose, like fructose or sucrose.
There are a lot of empty carbs in items like candy, baked desserts, and soda. You need to cut them out of your diet to help with your arthritis pain. Avoid food made from refined white flour, such as bread and crackers. Also, try to cut back on food made from white rice and many cereals, like oatmeal. Fruit juice is also not on the list. Always buy the whole fruit.
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Veggies And Dip For Osteoarthritis
Heres an easy one. Who doesnt like to dip veggies in Ranch? The catch here is that it does matter which veggies youre eating. Broccoli is the best healthy snack because its stocked with sulforaphane, a compound that hinders the joint deterioration caused by osteoarthritis, as found in a study noted by arthritis.org. Other great and tasty options include tomatoes, red peppers, carrots, onions, and other veggie rich in Vitamin C and fiber.
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Tips For Eliminating Inflammatory Foods For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Maintaining a healthy diet can be done by simply eliminating or reducing inflammatory foods for rheumatoid arthritis. Here are some tips to help you to better avoid these kinds of foods:
- Always read ingredient labels and look for indicated levels of saturated and trans fats
- Compare different product brands to see which ones have lower levels of unhealthy fats and sugars
- Switch to natural cooking oils like olive or avocado oil
- Avoid deep fried foods or ones that have been cooked at high temperatures
- Choose more low fat and trans-fat-free options when buying packaged foods
- Add more omega-3 fatty acids and reduce omega-6 fatty acids
- Eat as close to nature as possible by consuming less prepackaged and processed foods
If youre concerned about how inflammatory foods for rheumatoid arthritis are affecting your symptoms, talk to your doctor about dietary solutions. Remember to stick to as many fruits, vegetables and whole grains as possible to help lower your inflammation levels.
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