According to the CDC, arthritis is the leading cause of disability among adults in the United States. Arthritis puts the body into an inflammatory state, triggering pain, loss of function and mobility, and other complications. 

Part of managing arthritis is managing inflammation. Thankfully, there are ways to do that without taking more medications and undergoing surgeries. Instead, you can reduce or eliminate certain foods from your diet to help improve your overall wellness

Sugars

Added sugars in candy, soft drinks, pastries, ice cream, and similar items can trigger the body’s inflammatory response. In addition to regular white sugar, other sugars, including high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and maltose, can also contribute to inflammation.

Not only can cutting sugar improve arthritis symptoms, but studies show that reducing your intake of high-fructose corn syrup can also lessen your risk of developing arthritis. 

Saturated and Trans Fats

Not all fats are created equal. Like those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil, good fats can protect your heart and other organs. However, other fats, like saturated and trans fats, can trigger systemic inflammation. 

Saturated fats are found in red meats, pizza, full-fat dairy products, and grain-based desserts. Trans fats are in most processed foods, including fried foods, cookies, donuts, and other packaged foods. 

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

The body needs a healthy balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to maintain good health. However, excessive consumption of omega-6 fatty acids can trigger the body’s production of chemicals that support inflammation. 

Omega-6 fatty acids are in certain oils, including corn, soy, peanut and vegetable oil, mayonnaise, and salad dressings. 

Alcohol

Excessive alcohol use weakens liver function and can disrupt other organ interactions, which can lead to inflammation. Alcohol may cause an increased risk of gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis, and it’s also linked to increased spinal damage in patients with axial spondyloarthritis

Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates found in white flour products, white rice, and many kinds of breakfast cereal can cause inflammation, obesity, and other chronic conditions. 

Elite athletes like marathoners may use these foods to provide energy. However, when refined carbohydrates aren’t converted to energy, they stay in the body to fuel the production of chemicals that can stimulate inflammation.  

Patients hoping to reduce inflammation through their diets don’t need to swear off these foods altogether. However, patients can consider participating in an elimination diet, where they cut out the most inflammation-causing foods for three to four weeks before slowly adding them back into their diets one at a time. This can allow patients to see which foods trigger their symptoms and eliminate foods accordingly.

This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for the joints, also known as stem cell therapy for joints! Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.