The Impact of Diet, Diet Sensitivities and Nutritional Supplements on Arthritis

Research is currently being done to establish the relationship of arthritis to diet. Many people with arthritis want to know if the foods they eat can cause arthritis or affect their arthritis symptoms from varying from one day to the next. In fact research to date has shown that what you eat may affect certain kinds of arthritis. If you identify something you eat and believe it may be causing your arthritis pain to be worse after you’ve eaten it, tell your doctor. Your doctor may want you to avoid this food for a few days and then re-introduce it into your diet to see what/if any effect there is on your arthritis.

In exciting new research a connection has also been found between nutritional supplements and certain types of arthritis. The most studied area so far is the relationship between knee  osteoarthritis and the use of Glucosamine and Chondroitin. A very large study recently showed that these supplements have a positive effect on cartilage in the knee. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are being used to relieve pain from osteoarthritis and may reduce the loss of joint cartilage that occurs with the disease. Consider taking this nutritional supplement only with your doctor’s approval, as there can be interactions between supplements and other medications or food that you eat. Tell your doctor, even though so-called natural medications or supplements have the potential to cause side effects or cause interactions that could put your health at risk.
 
Arthritis research, just as research for other long, term chronic diseases, consistently recommends that you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet including: plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products. In particular eat oranges they have vitamin C and other antioxidants that reduce the risk of osteoarthritis and its progression.