Arthritis Help 4 Friends

Friday, 17 July 2026

8 Best Summer Vegetables for Rheumatoid Arthritis

From everydayhealth.com

Vegetables are a cornerstone of a healthy diet, especially when you have rheumatoid arthritis. Colourful produce is packed with phytonutrients, antioxidant compounds that may help protect your joints against inflammation.

And summer’s a great time to get your fill, since many seasonal veggies are at their peak of freshness — and thus nutrition. “While eating fruits and vegetables cannot cure RA, it can help improve your symptoms, especially when combined with your other medical treatments,” Barbara Gordon, EdD, RDN, a professor emerita of nutrition and dietetics at Idaho State University in Meridian, Idaho.

Next time you’re at the market, reach for more of these picks. They can help keep your joints and connective tissues healthy — so you feel your best.

Bell Peppers

Sweet and colourful, red and orange bell peppers are top sources of antioxidants like vitamin C and beta-cryptoxanthin. And that can be helpful for people with autoimmune conditions like RA. “Shifting to an overall dietary pattern rich in these antioxidants helps manage the hyperactive immune response, ultimately quieting the chronic inflammation that drives joint tenderness and pain,” says Alison Kane, RDN, a dietitian and wellness program manager at Mass General Brigham in Boston.

You may have heard that people with RA should avoid nightshade vegetables like bell peppers (as well as potatoes, eggplant, and tomatoes), since they contain compounds that could trigger or worsen joint pain. There’s no solid evidence to back this up, though a controlled trial is currently underway, for the first time, to assess the effect of a diet that eliminates nightshades may have on inflammatory and rheumatologic marker levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Pay attention to your body and do what feels right for you, Kane says.

Tomatoes

Nothing says summer like a juicy tomato. But here’s another reason to love them: Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant heavily studied for its ability to reduce systemic inflammation. While you’ll find lycopene in fresh tomatoes, you’ll get even more of the nutrient when you cook tomatoes in olive oil, since cooking makes lycopene more bioavailable. (Just-simmered marinara sauce, anyone?)

Lycopene also protects heart health and may support lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and blood pressure. That’s a big bonus, since RA can increase your risk for heart disease.

Zucchini and Summer Squash

These veggies have a high water content — and during the hot summer months, staying adequately hydrated could help make your joints feel more comfortable. Fluids are a must for helping them stay well-lubricated, as well as for flushing out toxins that could worsen inflammation.

On the antioxidant front, zucchini and summer squash also deliver compounds like lutein and zeaxanthin that curb inflammation. Try slicing the veggies into long, thick planks, brushing with avocado oil, and grilling them until crisp-tender, Kane recommends.

Cucumbers

Speaking of water-rich veggies to keep your joints lubricated? At 96 percent water, cucumbers are at the very top of the list. So they’re a great snack for hot summer days, especially when paired with protein-rich Greek yogurt, Gordon says. Dipping them in hummus will also give you some extra protein.

And even though they’re mostly H2O, cucumbers also pack some valuable nutrition. They’re a good source of silica, a trace mineral that your body needs to build the healthy connective tissues that make up and support your joints.

Dark Leafy Greens

Grab a bunch of Swiss chard or summer spinach next time you stop at the market. These summer greens are a source of iron — a mineral that’s extra important when you have RA. Rheumatoid arthritis may raise your risk for anaemia (a condition often caused by iron deficiency), which is tied to more severe RA and worse inflammation.

To get the most iron from your leafy greens, pair them with a source of vitamin C. “I like to use a citrus-based dressing, such as a homemade lemon vinaigrette, on a dark leafy green spinach or kale salad and toss with chickpeas or lentils for additional iron,” Kane says.

Dark leafy greens also deliver vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps fight inflammation and has been shown to reduce chronic pain severity.

Peas and Corn

One more reason to say yes to summer succotash: Peas and corn are both packed with fibre, which is thought to play an important role in lowering inflammation and potentially slowing the progression of RA. “Fibre feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut, which in turn reduces the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body,” Gordon says.

And like their fellow green and yellow veggies — zucchini and summer squash — peas and corn also offer up antioxidant compounds like lutein and zeaxanthin.

Beets

Rich, deep hues are often a sign that a vegetable or fruit is loaded with antioxidant compounds. And beets, with their dark magenta pigment, are no exception. They’re one of the best ways to get betalains, a group of antioxidants with anti-inflammatory activity that some experts suspect could support the treatment of inflammatory health conditions. You’ll get a healthy dose of vitamins C and E, too.

And since fresh beets are so abundant in the summer, they’re worth choosing over canned beets when you have RA. “During the canning process, some of the antioxidants are lost. About half the vitamin C is destroyed, and much of the betalains end up in the canning liquid rather than the beets themselves,” Gordon says.

Onions

While you can find onions year-round, they actually hit their peak during the summer. And you’ll want to add the aromatic veggies to your menu. Onions are a top source of flavonoid antioxidants like quercetin, which have been shown to block inflammatory compounds that are related to RA. They’ll offer heart-health protection too, since they can help lower levels of bad cholesterol.

If you’re used to sautéeing onions, try quick-pickling them in a rice wine vinegar with a dash of sugar for a fresh summer flavour. “They add a bright, tangy pop to summer tacos, grain bowls, or grilled turkey burgers,” Kane says.

Sunday, 12 July 2026

Ankle Arthritis Is Linked to Diabetes Risk, Study Finds

From en.sedaily.com

Research team led by Professor Kim Woo-sup at Konkuk University Medical Center Study of 262 ankle arthritis patients with an average age of 67 Analysis of the link between arthritis severity and physical activity levels

Leaving common ankle arthritis untreated can reduce physical activity and lead to metabolic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.

Konkuk University Medical Center said on the 10th that a research team led by orthopaedic surgery Professor Kim Woo-sup analysed 262 ankle arthritis patients who visited its foot and ankle specialty clinic between June 2022 and October 2024, presenting evidence that ankle arthritis should be viewed not as an orthopaedic problem but as an issue of whole-body health.

Ankle arthritis is a condition affecting approximately 1% of the global population. About 50,000 new patients are reported each year. Although it is relatively less recognized than knee or hip arthritis, pain and gait impairment are severe due to the nature of the ankle joint, where body-weight loading is concentrated. In particular, ankle arthritis is more often caused by trauma-related fractures and ligament injuries than by degeneration. If left untreated or not treated properly in time, the joint cartilage can become damaged years later and progress into arthritis.

This study was conducted on 163 women and 99 men with an average age of 66.8. Using weight-bearing ankle X-rays, the research team divided the participants' arthritis severity into four stages based on the Takakura stage classification system. Physical activity levels were measured through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF), divided into walking, moderate activity, and vigorous activity.

According to the analysis, the higher the arthritis severity in X-ray imaging, the more both vigorous physical activity and total activity decreased in a statistically significant manner. Notably, not a single response indicating vigorous physical activity was recorded among stage 4 patients, who correspond to end-stage ankle arthritis. Patients' age and body mass index (BMI) also showed a correlation with reduced activity. Beyond simply confirming the common notion that "people move less when their joints hurt," the study statistically confirmed the correlation between the objective severity of ankle arthritis and activity levels while controlling for major variables such as age, sex, BMI, and pain intensity. It also holds clinical significance in that it presented a hypothesis on the impact that reduced activity may have on whole-body metabolic health.

Regular physical activity not only increases insulin sensitivity but also helps control blood sugar and improve blood lipids. It is also effective in reducing chronic inflammation in the body. Conversely, when activity decreases, these protective effects disappear, potentially raising the risk of developing diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. However, the fact that the study did not directly measure the occurrence of metabolic diseases is cited as a limitation. Additional long-term follow-up studies are needed to establish a causal relationship.

Currently, the treatment of ankle arthritis is focused on reducing pain. In the early stages, the goal is to reduce pain and maintain joint function through conservative treatments such as medication, injection therapy, and wearing braces. When deformity or joint damage has progressed, surgical treatments such as osteotomy, arthrodesis, and total ankle replacement are considered by comprehensively taking into account lower-limb alignment, the degree of joint deformity, and the patient's activity level and age. This study contains a clinical recommendation that treatment goals should extend beyond pain reduction to the recovery of activity.

"This is a study showing that ankle arthritis is not simply a matter of ankle pain but can be linked to reduced physical activity," Professor Kim Woo-sup stressed. "For ankle arthritis patients, a treatment strategy that not only controls pain but also maintains and restores activity is important." He added, "When ankle arthritis progresses, patients cannot move due to pain, and as activity decreases, their whole-body health can also be negatively affected," and "receiving accurate diagnosis and treatment early on helps reduce pain and maintain activity."

The study was published in a recent issue of the international journal PLOS One.

https://en.sedaily.com/culture/2026/07/12/ankle-arthritis-linked-to-diabetes-risk-study-finds

Saturday, 11 July 2026

What doctors want patients to know about osteoarthritis

From ama-assn.org

Joint pain and stiffness may signal osteoarthritis. Learn more about the symptoms of osteoarthritis, risk factors and treatments that can help

AT A GLANCE: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, causing joint pain, stiffness and reduced mobility as cartilage gradually tears down over time. Here are four key things you will learn about osteoarthritis from Alexey Fomin, MD, PhD, a rheumatologist with Hattiesburg Clinic:

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is caused by the gradual breakdown of cartilage that cushions the joints.

With osteoarthritis, knees, hips, hands and spine are most often affected and can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced range of motion.

Age, prior joint injuries, repetitive stress, excess weight and genetics can all increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Treatment of osteoarthritis focuses on managing symptoms and preserving mobility, often through exercise, weight management, physical therapy and pain relief options.

Before joint pain and stiffness begin to interfere with daily activities, osteoarthritis often develops gradually over time. As the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis affects millions of people and occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions joints wears down, making movement more difficult and sometimes painful. While there is no cure, early diagnosis, lifestyle changes and treatment can help people manage symptoms, stay active and maintain their quality of life.

Osteoarthritis is a common disease

“What I usually explain to my patients is that osteoarthritis is pretty common,” Dr. Fomin said, noting that “one in seven adults in the United States actually has osteoarthritis. It is a common disease and it’s one of the leading causes of disability.”

With osteoarthritis, “we are talking about the regular wear and tear changes in the joints. These changes most often affect weight-bearing joints such as the lower back, hips, knees and feet. The joints in the hands are also frequently affected because we rely on them for daily activities,” Dr. Fomin said.

“We predominantly see women rather than men with osteoarthritis, and it is one of the most common diseases after 45 years old,” he said.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis start with pain

With osteoarthritis, a main symptom is “pain at the beginning of the day. That’s what we call starting pain,” Dr. Fomin said. “When you wake up, you may notice pain and stiffness in the joint. As you begin moving and using the joint, it tends to loosen up and feel better.”

“In the morning and at the start of activity, there is pain,” he said. “But as the day goes on and you continue using the joint, the pain often returns. The more stress you put on the joint, the more discomfort you may experience.”

“Morning stiffness associated with osteoarthritis typically does not last long,” Dr. Fomin said. “It’s usually about 15 to 30 minutes, but it can still be quite painful.”

“Other symptoms may include a reduced range of motion, as well as grinding, clicking or popping sensations in the joint. Some people find that a hot shower or warm water helps loosen up stiff joints and improves movement,” he added.

Genetics can play a role in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis “is not just mechanical damage and degeneration. Sometimes osteoarthritis appears as early as age 40, while some women in their 70s or 80s have no issues and their joints still look great,” Dr. Fomin said. “So, it’s not simply a matter of age or getting older. Rather, it results from a combination of different factors.”

For example, “osteoarthritis is influenced in part by genetics,” he said. “If you have strong cartilage and a favourable genetic makeup, your joints are more likely to stay healthy. But if there is a family history of early osteoarthritis, your risk of developing the condition is higher.”

Your risk for osteoarthritis also depends on use of joints

“Osteoarthritis also depends on how much you use your joints. If your job is not physically demanding and you spend most of your time working in an office, you may be less likely to develop significant arthritis,” Dr. Fomin said. “But in physically demanding jobs, such as construction or factory work, we sometimes see younger people who use their hands extensively and experience joint degeneration.”

“So, osteoarthritis is influenced by how much you use your joints, as well as genetics and other factors,” he said. “Some people who eat a healthy diet and stay physically active have relatively few joint problems, while others who pay less attention to diet and exercise may experience more issues.

“This is especially true for weight-bearing joints—the more weight those joints have to support, the greater the stress and wear on them,” Dr. Fomin added.

Erosive osteoarthritis is bad joint destruction

“There is one type of osteoarthritis that behaves differently,” Dr. Fomin said. “It is called erosive osteoarthritis, and it primarily affects the hands, causing significant joint damage.”

“On X-rays, we often see severe cartilage loss and extensive bone erosion,” he explained. “It can resemble autoimmune arthritis, but it is actually a degenerative condition.”

“Unlike standard wear-and-tear osteoarthritis, it features an inflammatory component that actively breaks down cartilage and leads to central bone erosion. It mainly affects the finger joints,” Dr. Fomin said.

Osteoarthritis requires a clinical diagnosis

“Osteoarthritis is often a clinical diagnosis, which means blood tests and X-rays are not always necessary,” Dr. Fomin said. “In many cases, the diagnosis can be made by listening to the patient’s symptoms and performing a physical examination. Bloodwork may then be used to help rule out other types of arthritis.”

“An X-ray mainly helps us assess the extent of joint damage,” he said. “Patients often report having joint pain for a long time that may have started intermittently, like at the beginning of the day, but gradually became more constant.”

“During the physical exam, the joint may appear enlarged because of bone spur growth, which can cause some deformity,” Dr. Fomin said. “You may also notice a decreased range of motion. By combining the patient’s history with the physical findings, you can often make the diagnosis.”

Treatment of osteoarthritis is mainly supportive

“Unfortunately, we do not currently have highly effective medications to treat osteoarthritis, so treatment is primarily supportive,” Dr. Fomin said. “By supportive, I mean that there is no medication available that can slow the progression of the disease or reverse the damage that has already occurred. Our focus is on managing symptoms.”

“For patients with osteoarthritis affecting weight-bearing joints, lifestyle changes are often an important part of treatment,” he said. “We encourage patients to lose weight through physical activity and healthy eating because the more weight a joint has to support, the more damage is likely to occur.”

As a first-line treatment, “we typically start with a pain medication such as acetaminophen,” Dr. Fomin said. “It is available over the counter and patients may use up to 4,000 milligrams per day.”

“If that doesn’t work, we can use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications,” he said. “These medications can help reduce joint pain and stiffness. Unfortunately, they can also cause side effects, including stomach irritation, kidney problems and increased blood pressure.”

Dr. Fomin also noted that many supplements marketed for joint health such as glucosamine, chondroitin, turmeric and omega-3 fatty acids, remain popular among patients.

“Some patients tell us these supplements help and make their joints feel much better,” he said. “But scientifically speaking, multiple studies have not shown strong evidence that they provide significant benefit.”

“Steroid injections into the joint can sometimes help relieve pain as well,” Dr. Fomin said. “We also strongly recommend physical therapy to strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint. Surgery is generally considered a last resort for treating osteoarthritis.”

You can live a normal life with osteoarthritis

“If you compare osteoarthritis with inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause severe joint deformities and significantly impair joint function, osteoarthritis is generally less severe,” Dr. Fomin said. “Although it can cause joint problems and discomfort, it tends to progress very slowly, making it easier for many people to live with.”

“Osteoarthritis usually does not cause the same degree of functional impairment seen with other forms of arthritis, so the overall prognosis is often better,” he said. “At the same time, because we do not have treatments that can stop or reverse the disease, it can sometimes lead to permanent disability.”

Prevent osteoarthritis with lifestyle changes

Preventing osteoarthritis “is all about your lifestyle,” Dr. Fomin said. That includes “eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.”

“But if osteoarthritis runs in your family, it can be more difficult to prevent it from developing,” he said. Even so, it is important to “exercise regularly, eat healthy and maintain a healthy body weight.”

With osteoarthritis, listen to your body

“First of all, it’s important to understand what is causing your joint symptoms. If you don’t know what is behind the pain, it can create anxiety,” Dr. Fomin said. “Some patients come into our office worried that they are going to become completely disabled. We have to reassure them that osteoarthritis is a slow-moving process and, for most people, it is not going to have that level of impact.”

“The second thing is that it all comes down to lifestyle,” he said. “Try to stay active, but at the same time avoid overusing your joints. For example, if you have knee pain or hand pain, it may not be a good idea to move heavy furniture or take on physically demanding projects such as home renovations.”

“Sometimes patients tell us their joints are feeling better, so they start running or doing other high-impact activities,” Dr. Fomin said. “But that may not help in the long run. You have to listen to your body. If your pain is increasing, it is probably a sign that you need to rest the joint.”

Visit your doctor if osteoarthritis is interfering with your daily routine

“If osteoarthritis has started to interfere with your daily routine and you’re no longer able to do the things you normally do, it’s a good idea to see your doctor,” Dr. Fomin said. “If it affects your work or your ability to carry out activities at home, you should definitely talk to your doctor about it.”

“Joint swelling is not typically associated with osteoarthritis and may be a sign of inflammatory arthritis, so it should be evaluated by a doctor,” he said. “You should also seek medical attention if you begin experiencing joint pain at night.”

https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/chronic-diseases/what-doctors-want-patients-know-about-osteoarthritis

Thursday, 9 July 2026

The best exercises for arthritic knees – and how they can help delay surgery

From mensfitness.co.uk

Arthritis can make every step feel harder, but avoiding exercise often makes things worse. An orthopaedic expert explains how stretching, strength training and low-impact cardio can reduce pain, improve mobility and help keep your knees healthier for longer

Roughly one in seven people in the United Kingdom lives with arthritis – and often this has a significant impact on day-to-day living. But research funded by Arthritis UK has found that exercise is the best way to reduce pain, improve mobility and stay independent for longer. With that in mind, we have spoken to Orthopaedic Doctor, Dr Thomas Naylor, to learn specifically which exercises to do, how to do them, and why they can help our creaking knees.

Which types of exercise are good for arthritis?

People will have different physical abilities depending on what stage and severity they are at with their knee symptoms and overall health, but the three areas exercise can help with are “stiffness, strength, and pain symptoms,” says Dr Naylor, adding that focusing on these will help to avoid pain, maintain range of movement, and to help keep movements controlled to generally protect the joint.

How to reduce stiffness in knee joints through exercise?

We know the phrase ‘use it or lose it’ rings true when it comes to strength training; turns out it is the same for joint health. “A knee joint will manage a full range of possible movement if it regularly does that movement,” says Dr Naylor.

This means we have to keep moving our joints; if we don’t, they will stiffen, restricting the range of motion. “It is much harder to get a stiff joint moving again than it is to retain movement.” Says Dr Naylor.

The exercise to prevent stiffness is stretching. “Bending the knees fully (bringing your heel up to your bum), and pushing them straight (forcing the back of the knee flat onto the floor with a towel, raising the ankle up).” Dr Naylor says.

How to increase joint strength

A large volume of scientific evidence shows that exercise and strength training improve symptoms of knee arthritis and delay the need for joint replacement surgery. Dr Naylor feels that “specific exercises are probably less important than actually doing something that works well for your body and is consistently manageable”.

The idea being, any exercise is better than none, and doing what won’t feel like a chore means you are likely to stick at it, the same logic that steady weight loss can be achieved through, or any long-term goal.

That being said, Squats are obviously the king of lower-body strength exercises. “These can be performed with body weight only, focusing on a full range of movement, or weighted in whichever form works best for you. Hex bar squats are potentially more comfortable for people who have back pain,” says Dr Naylor.

Leg press, hip thrusts and knee extensions are also going to help, but you should be cautious with weight and steadily build up. Unilateral lunges are also great for strengthening the muscles around the knee, as well as encouraging more balance between both legs, which is only going to help the load your knees take.

How to reduce pain while exercising

Dr Naylor says that “a little pain is fine, but you should avoid the activities that seem to result in continuously worsening pain.” For instance, Dr Naylor mentions that running can be protective against developing knee arthritis, as cartilage needs movement and forces to be applied to it to keep it healthy.

But, the relatively hard repetitive impact caused by running means that if it is making symptoms worse, it should be avoided, or managed in terms of intensity. Dr Naylor says gel-based over-the-counter pain killers are fine to use, and offer fewer complications than pills, also.

If you can’t live without running, then using (or subsidising some runs with) a treadmill or softer surface (grass rather than street) reduces forces across the knee joint. “Cycling is great for knee health, and often better tolerated than running.” Dr Naylor offers.

How exercise can prevent arthritis

As well as helping symptoms, exercise can help prevent arthritis symptoms from forming, both as a result of strengthening joints and the surrounding muscles, but also through weight management. Maintaining a healthy weight significantly decreases loads put onto the knee and reduces inflammatory markers in the joint.

“Being overweight or obese significantly increases the likelihood of developing arthritis or needing a knee replacement,” says Dr Naylor.

https://mensfitness.co.uk/features/exercises-for-arthritic-knees/