The Doctor-Approved Arthritis Diet

Arthritis is a condition in which the joints are inflamed and cartilage is gradually eroded leading to pain and loss of function. As arthritis is partially caused by inflammatory processes, it is reasonable to believe that activation of the immune system will increase inflammation and contribute to arthritis.

The digestive tract is the first part of the immune system.  In response to certain foods, the gut releases a type of immune globulin known as IgE.  Food allergies also cause more IgE to be released in the gastrointestinal tract which sets off a chain reaction to activate the immune system.  There may be ways to reduce the inflammatory processes of arthritis by eating a doctor approved arthritis diet.

Elimination Diet

An elimination diet involves eliminating food that is harmful to the body.  Two common chemicals present in food are thought the dramatically increase inflammatory processes are gluten and casein.  Gluten is a protein composite found in grains such as corn and wheat.  Casein is a protein complex found in dairy products.  Simply eliminating gluten and casein from the diet is often thought to relieve arthritis inflammation.

Another item many natural health professionals recommend to eliminate from the diet in order to reduce inflammation is members of the nightshade family.  Nightshade, also known as loco weed, jimson weed and belladonna is toxic because of a high level of alkaloids that are similar to a chemical messenger atropine.

Vegetables such as tomatoes, chile plants, and eggplant are members of the same plant family, Solanaceae and may contain low levels of alkaloids that will increase inflammation.  Elimination of these vegetables – tomatoes, peppers and eggplant may decrease inflammatory processes in arthritis.

Eating more hearty fish such as tuna and salmon while eliminating most meats, particularly red meats and organ meats along with shellfish may be beneficial.  Fish is known to be high in Omega 3 fatty acids which reduce inflammation.

Meat, particularly beef and pork is known to be higher in Omega 6 fatty acids which may decrease inflammatory processes.  Organ meats such as liver and kidney and shellfish such as oysters and clams are high in uric acid which contributes to inflammation of arthritis, particularly in cases of gout.

Some people wishing to reduce arthritis symptoms through a doctor approved arthritis diet may wish to follow a stone-age style diet which allows fruits, vegetables (no nightshades), fish and meat for one month.  It does not allow processed foods, grains or dairy.  Others wish to follow a Mediterranean style diet which also restricts the consumption of meat.

A plan to reduce arthritis inflammation by control of the diet should include following the doctor approved arthritis diet for at least one month and then adding foods back one at a time, a few days apart.  This will allow you to know which foods will increase your arthritis inflammation.  Some may wish to include weight loss goals as obesity is a major contributor to arthritis progression.

Whatever type of dietary plan you choose, you may wish to eliminate caffeinated sugary beverages by adding green tea as a beverage as it is known to be high in antioxidants and reduces inflammation and caffeine and sugar may increase inflammation.