Can Your Diet Affect Your Arthritis Symptoms?

There has long been a theory that the severity of arthritis symptoms can be linked to a patient’s diet, but a lot more research needs to be conducted in order to know what diet is right for what type of arthritis. There has been enough proof that changing dietary habits can make a difference in the amount of pain an arthritis patient has. For example, it is a known fact that gout patients who avoid alcohol and eat a diet high in purine can lower their chances for a gout attack. This diet actually lowers the uric acid level in their blood which is responsible for gout.

As with many other conditions, excess body weight can have adverse effects on arthritis. With a weight that’s just 20% higher than normal body weight, a person will raise his chances of developing arthritis as well as putting extra strain on joints damaged by active arthritis. There’s also an increased chance that someone who eats more will come in contact with an allergen which will trigger an outbreak of arthritis and alter the function of the immune system.

By eating a healthy diet, arthritis patients are contributing to their own well-being. They should also completely avoid fad diets which can introduce too much of certain chemicals and things into the body and which don’t guarantee that they are getting all the nutrients they need.

High cholesterol and high fat diets have been linked to arthritis. People who don’t have arthritis are far more likely to develop it with these diets. Patients who are already suffering from arthritis can help relieve pain by avoiding high fat, high cholesterol foods from their diets.

In order to eat a diet that will help you keep from getting arthritis or which will relieve arthritis pain, you should avoid:
• Anything from a fast food restaurant
• Soda pop
• Foods that are high in starches such as potatoes and pasta
• Red meats
• Foods with high levels of saturated fats

Patients who suffer from arthritis should try consuming a diet which is high in vitamin C, such as oranges, strawberries, and apples. Other beneficial foods include oily fish which contain high amounts of vitamin E, and whole grain wheat and rice products.

People who eat western diets regularly ingest far too much fat and cholesterol to be healthy. These high fat diets have been shown to increase the chances of developing arthritis, and for arthritis patients, they can have a devastating effect on their level of pain and suffering. Everyone should eat a diet which is high in nutrients and low in fat. This type of a diet will promote health and decrease the risk of obesity. And it’s never too late to take control of your diet, your health, and your future.

Visit us for more information on AAF assistance, arthritis associations and arthritis relief.