In the United States, 58.5 million people have some form of arthritis. It is the leading cause of disability in the country, and it can make everyday tasks seem impossible.
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that leads to swelling in the joints. Inflammation can lead to mobility issues, pain, and many other symptoms.
To help manage the condition, one of the factors to consider is your diet. Are there foods that can make inflammation worse? The answer is yes. Learn what these are.
Alcohol and Tobacco
Not only are tobacco and alcohol bad for your overall health, but they can also make the inflammation that leads to arthritis symptoms worse. They can be particularly harmful to those who have rheumatoid arthritis. Smoking can increase your chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis, while alcohol can cause gout, another type of arthritis.
Sugary Foods and Drinks
You don’t need to consume much sugar to trigger an inflammatory response. For most people, the consumption of one 12 oz soda, which usually contains about 40 grams of sugar, can be enough to worsen arthritis symptoms. You don’t have to cut out sugar completely but do limit your intake.
Dairy
Dairy can offer calcium and protein, but it also contains casein, a phosphoprotein that can cause inflammation. Avoid worsening your arthritis symptoms by limiting your intake of some forms of dairy, especially anything made with cow’s milk.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are what your body uses to fuel you, providing energy for everything you need to do during your day. Some types of refined carbs, however, can remain in your body if you don’t burn that energy, leading to inflammation.
You can find refined carbs in:
- White rice
- Bread
- Crackers
- Cereals
If you do want to consume bread or rice, go for whole-grain options that can cause less inflammation.
Additive-Rich Foods
Although turning to packaged foods can be convenient, they contain a high number of additives. Additives like aspartame and salt can preserve food and make it tastier, but they can also increase your body’s inflammation levels.
Read labels before choosing your food and try to limit your intake of most packaged options.
Trans Fats
Some fats can be great for your heart and can help you maintain optimal organ function, but others, like trans fats, can cause inflammation. Trans fats are those present in processed foods, donuts, fried foods, and more.
Instead of choosing trans fats, opt for the good fats you can find in olive oil, nuts, avocados, and more.
Adjust Your Diet to Improve Arthritis
Something as simple as decreasing your intake of sweets, alcohol, refined carbs, or dairy can help you manage your arthritis symptoms better. If you are not sure about what changes to make to your diet, there are always professionals ready to help you with their guidance.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for back pain, also known as stem cell for Arthritis. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.
