Arthritis is a common disease of the joints. Sadly, it’s often a very misunderstood condition. Most people think that it’s an ailment that you get when you are older or in the Golden Years, but sadly this painful affliction can affect children or people of any age group.
Arthritis can be a challenging condition, impacting daily life in various ways. While diet plays a crucial role in managing arthritis, which we will explore later, it’s important to first understand the broader spectrum of treatments available. This includes pharmaceutical options, holistic approaches, and understanding how Medicare can support your journey.
Modern medicine offers several effective treatments for arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen are commonly used to reduce pain and inflammation. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics are other options for more severe cases, helping to slow disease progression. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to find the right medication for your specific type of arthritis.
In addition to medications, many find relief through therapeutic and holistic approaches. Physical therapy can improve joint function, while practices like yoga and tai chi offer gentle ways to stay active and manage pain. Complementary therapies such as acupuncture and massage may also provide symptom relief. These methods can be used alongside traditional treatments for a holistic approach to arthritis management.
For many, the cost of managing arthritis can be a significant concern. Medicare can play a vital role in covering some of these expenses, including doctor’s visits, certain medications, and physical therapy. It’s important to understand your Medicare coverage and explore supplemental plans or assistance programs that can help reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Understanding the range of treatments available for arthritis is crucial, but so is recognizing the impact of diet on this condition. As we shift our focus to the 10 foods to avoid if you have arthritis, remember that dietary choices are an integral part of your overall management strategy, working in tandem with medical treatments to help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.Arthritis is a disease that causes stiffness, inflammation, and soreness in a specific area of the body
You’ve probably heard of the main types of arthritis, which are:
•Osteoarthritis
•Rheumatoid
•Psoriatic
•Gout
The pain that a person has with arthritis can range from mild to severe, and it depends on how badly the joint is affected as to what you get. You may notice that the weather plays a big part in your pain levels, though there is no scientific proof for this phenomenon.
Regardless of where you fall on the pain scale, arthritis will affect your daily activities. The Mt Sinai School of Medicine did a study in 2009 regarding the effects on different food types and arthritis. The findings were profound.
By just consuming less fried foods, you can reduce inflammation. Sadly, many people have already given up fried goodies and still have pain and discomfort. Thankfully, other foods can also help to relieve this common condition. Here are ten foods that you should avoid to alleviate inflammation.
You already know that processed foods are bad for you. Celiac disease is a condition that has made quite a bit of a stir in the last decade. Wheat intolerance is a significant issue that cannot be ignored.
Many people have Celiac but have not been officially diagnosed. Just eating one product with wheat in it can easily trigger inflammation. If you must eat grain and flour, then opt for whole wheat.
White flour is bleach and heavily processed, so it's not as healthy for you. Plus, it's harder for your body to digest it. Be warned that eating processed food and bleached grains is linked to higher heart disease risks, diabetes, and cancer.
If you've ever been on a diet or tried eating a sugar-free lifestyle, then you've probably heard of sugar alcohols. These sweeteners are made to mimic sugar, but they can wreak havoc on the digestive system and body as a whole. The problem with artificial sugars is that the body still acts like it's getting sugar; thus, the cravings for sweets increase.
Have you ever seen someone having a large candy bar and washing it down with a diet soda? It's because the diet soda triggers these cravings. Additionally, many people gain weight while drinking diet sodas and eating sugar-free treats because the body cannot correctly distinguish between these artificial versions and the real thing.
Any weight gain can be dangerous as it will add more pressure to your joints, which will cause pain and inflammation.
Many people are shocked to think that dairy products may contribute to their arthritic pain. There is a protein in products made from cow’s milk that significantly impacts joint tissues. This protein makes them swell and stiffen.
Sadly, it’s the things in the most beloved foods like cheese, milk, and butter that can increase your daily pain. Pasteurized foods are the ones that seem to cause the most problems with soreness. Using coconut or soy-based kinds of milk seems to help reduce the inflammation as well as the swelling and pain.
Vegans don’t seem to have as much of an issue with pain and arthritis partly because of their plant-based consumption. While they may have joint problems, eating a healthy diet from nature seems to help tremendously.
Did you know that red meat is full of chemicals? Both purines and nitrates are added to these meats for their color and transport to your local grocery store. Sadly, both additives are known to cause inflammation in the body as well as pain.
These meats also contain another product called glycan. Even worse is this additive has been proven to stimulate the growth of cancer cells within your body. If you have arthritis, then red meat is a dangerous choice for your health.
Manufacturing companies across the globe use shipping as their source of distribution. To make the long trek from the manufacturing plant to the grocery store requires a great deal of time. To increase the shelf life of frozen, canned, and other packaged foods, they use an additive called monosodium glutamate.
If you suffer from pain and inflammation from your arthritis, it’s been proven that monosodium glutamate is a trigger. Fresh foods like fruits and vegetables are a healthier alternative. Getting your corn or green beans from the can just doesn’t have the same quality and taste as preparing them fresh, and they are not nearly as healthy.
Tomatoes are so versatile and can be used to add color and flavor to about any meal. Unfortunately for those with arthritis, tomatoes have a toxic element to those who are suffering from inflammation. Tomatine is known to cause swelling and joint pain.
You probably consume way more of these red delights than you know. They are found in pasta sauce, soups, ketchup, salsa, and your favorite Mexican cuisines. While nothing scientifically can back up these claims, you should try leaving them out and see how your body responds.
Many people say that reducing or eliminating their tomato consumption helped tremendously with their arthritic pain.
Whey protein products are full of wheat gluten, which can cause inflammatory reactions in many people. These protein products are top-rated among the dieting crowd and those who want to increase their muscles.
The only sad part is while bulking up is a good thing for many, much of the increase can be attributed to inflammation throughout the body. It's not a good product to use if you have arthritis.
How many times have you heard that you should reduce salt from your diet for your heart health? Well, it turns out that it does more than help your heart to avoid this common seasoning. Table salt has added chemicals to enhance the taste.
These chemicals cause you to retain water in the body, which is an issue for arthritis patients. Your bones are affected by too much salt, so you should limit your intake. Thankfully, using sea or Himalayan pink salt is a better option because it’s not a processed food.
Did you know that if you consume beer regularly that you have a higher chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis? Many people don't realize that one of the main ingredients in beer is hops, a plant much like marijuana.
Being intoxicated from drinking beer can cause people to stumble and fall, which will only exacerbate joint problems. Additionally, beer tends to mask pain, which isn't suitable for people who take liberties they wouldn't usually take.
Since gluten is the main ingredient found in beer, it naturally increases inflammation in the body by uric acid buildup. Having an abundance of uric acid in the body is a direct trigger for gouty arthritis.
If you thought cooking with corn oil was an excellent substitute for vegetable oil, then you're mistaken. Corn oil has a high level of omega-six fatty acids. However, this isn’t the only oil that can cause these problems, as you can find these fatty acids in sunflower oil, peanuts, grape seeds, and soy products.
These fatty acids trigger inflammatory chemical production inside the body, which is not suitable for someone who has arthritis. Coconut or avocado oil is a better choice.
Heavily processed foods are always the worst possible choice for people with arthritis. It’s best to have a colorful plant-based diet to help fight the inflammation and pain in your body. These are just a few of the many foods and food additives that you should avoid.
By adhering to a diet that comes from Mother Nature, you can use food to alleviate much of the pain you feel and the stiffness in your joints. Plus, when you eat healthily, you will feel great.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.