Blood test ‘detects agonising arthritis TWO YEARS before the first symptoms appear’

By Lizzie Parry

A BLOOD test could soon be used to diagnose arthritis, detecting the condition two years before the onset of irreversible symptoms.

Typically the most recognisable sign of the painful condition is noticing joint stiffness in the mornings.
But, experts hope the new test, which could be available in the next two years, will be able to identify osteoarthritis in the earliest stages.
It works by identifying the chemical signatures in the blood.
These chemicals are found in joints damaged by oxidation, nitration and glycation – the modification of proteins with oxygen, nitrogen and sugar molecules.
Dr Naila Rabbani, who led the study at the University of Warwick, said the new test can distinguish osteoarthritis from early-stage rheumatoid arthritis, and other lesser inflammatory joint problems.
Dr Rabbani said by diagnosing which type of arthritis a patient will develop at an early stage will allow for appropriate treatment, giving patients the best chance at effective treatment and potential prevention.
Patients with early-stage and advanced osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis were recruited to take part in the research – alongside a control group with good skeletal health.
Researchers took blood samples from each, and analysed them in the lab.
They detected a high level of damaged proteins in patients with both forms of arthritis – levels were markedly lower in the control group.
“Damage to proteins in the arthritic joint have been known for many years but this is the first time it has been exploited for early-stage diagnosis,” said Dr Rabbani.
“For the first time we measured small fragments from damaged proteins that leak from the joint into blood.
“The combination of changes in oxidised, nitrated and sugar-modified amino acids in blood enabled early stage detection and classification of arthritis – osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or other self-resolving inflammatory joint disease.
“This is a big step forward for early-stage detection of arthritis that will help start treatment early and prevent painful and debilitating disease.”
The findings are published by Arthritis Research and Therapy.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/2068678/blood-test-detects-agonising-arthritis-two-years-before-the-first-symptoms-appear/

Seven foods that are bad for joint pain and arthritis

From outbreaknewstoday.com

Arthritis is the term used to describe conditions which affect joints and tissues around the joints. Joints are found wherever bones join in the body, e.g. wrists, fingers, ankles, elbows, knees and so forth. This comes with a lot of pain which sometimes prohibits one from carrying out daily activities.
Facts about Arthritis
The Arthritis Foundation states the following:

• There are over hundred different kinds of arthritis.
• Arthritis can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, and gender.
• Over 300,000 children and more than 50 million adults have arthritis.
• Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the USA.
• Women are the most common gender to be diagnosed with arthritis.

The most common types of arthritis
As mentioned above, there are more than one hundred types of arthritis, but there are two most common ones:

1. Osteoarthritis (OA): This is the most common type of arthritis, affecting about eight million people in the UK. OA is a degenerative type of arthritis that develops when the bone cartilage becomes worn out, and the bones start rubbing against each other causing stiffness, pain, and swelling. Injuries, family history, age, excess weight, are some of the risk factors. OA mostly affects the knees, spine, hips, and hands. These areas get usually affected because of repeatedly injuring them when one is doing the same task over and over.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): This is an inflammatory type of arthritis which develops when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the body by causing uncontrollable inflammation to the bones. This is known as an autoimmune disease – when your healthy tissues are attacked by enzymes released by your body. RA usually attacks joints found in the wrists, elbows, ankles, finders, etc.
3. The inflammation first occurs in the synovium – which is the outer part of the joint and spreads throughout. This leads to more inflammation which may lead to the breakdown of the bones and cartilage. People with RA can also suffer from symptoms of weight loss, fatigue, anemia, lung inflammation and so forth.

Symptoms of arthritis
Since there are different kinds of arthritis, symptoms will not be the same, but when these stated below start manifesting, one should see a doctor for proper diagnosis.

• Swelling in and around the joint
• Pain of the joint
• Stiffness of the joint
• Decreased ability to move
• Redness over the joint

Seven foods to avoid when you have arthritis and joint pain
As already stated, arthritis causes inflammation so your diet can potentially worsen the inflammation, and it may also introduce more chronic conditions. Diet is, therefore, very important when dealing with any arthritis.

1. Processed sugars prompt the body to release pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are small proteins that have a distinguished effect on interactions between cells. One should always read the labels on food items to look out for these sugars.
2. Saturated fats also trigger the inflammation of the fat tissue, which not only makes inflammation caused by arthritis worse but also is a candidate for triggering heart disease. Foods high in saturated fats include pizzas, read meat, etc.
3. Fried and processed foods contain toxins known as Advanced Glycation End product (AGE), which prompt the body to produce cytokines. As mentioned above, cytokines may cause inflammation depending on where the AGE’s happen. This inflammation may cause or promote arthritis.
4. Dairy products contain protein, and depending on the type of protein, they may worsen pain associated with arthritis. This type of protein may potentially cause irritation to the tissue that surrounds the joints. Arthritics who totally eliminate dairy from their diet, i.e. they go vegan, eliminate the pain as well.
5. Too much salt can trigger the symptoms of arthritis. It has been reported that people suffering from RA are at higher risk of being affected by excess salt effects.
6. Gluten is known as the number one suspect in the inflammatory condition that copycats arthritis which is known as Celiac disease. People who have been diagnosed with RA have a higher risk of being sensitive to gluten so getting a gluten-free diet can reduce the symptoms of arthritis.
7. Red meat is usually the prime suspect of gout-related symptoms, but it may also contribute to other forms of arthritis as well. A study published in the “Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging”, as reported by Livestrong, states that 22.6% percent of the participants who showed disorders linked to arthritis were at a higher probability of eating a lot of meat, in comparison to those who did not.

Summary

Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis are the two most common types of arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, there is no diet that one can take to cure arthritis. However, certain foods can fight inflammation, boost your immune system and make your bones stronger.  As seen above, there are also foods that promote inflammation and other symptoms relating to arthritis. Keeping a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle can help you cope with a lot of chronic conditions, including arthritis. People suffering from arthritis, in addition to keeping a healthy diet, can use JointFlex cream for the relief of pain associated with arthritis.

http://outbreaknewstoday.com/seven-foods-that-are-bad-for-joint-pain-and-arthritis-64808/

Suffering from arthritis could be a warning sign YOUR cholesterol should be checked

By Olivia Lerche

Too much cholesterol has long been know to increase chances of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers and lead to heart problems.
However, a new study suggests that high cholesterol may also put additional stress on the cartilage between bones, ultimately leading to osteoarthritis.
Cholesterol is waxy substance produced mainly in the liver, although most body cells can make it when necessary.
It is vital for health as it is used to make hormones, vitamin D, bile acids and cell membranes but there are two main types of cholesterol - good HDL cholesterol and bad LDL cholesterol.

Good HDL-cholesterol removes LDL-cholesterol from the circulation and transports it back to the liver for processing.
But bad cholesterol has been linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke.
The researchers used two groups of rodents for the study - one with an altered gene that made the animal hypercholesteremic - which means there are high levels of cholesterol in the blood - and one without.
They found that rats and mice reared on a high-cholesterol diet and later given surgery designed to mimic knee injuries in people with osteoarthritis showed more severe development of the condition than those fed a normal diet.
Dr Indira Prasadam, from the Queensland University of Technology, said: "High cholesterol levels trigger mitochondrial oxidative stress on cartilage cells, causing them to die, and ultimately leading to the development of osteoarthritis.
"Our team has already begun working alongside dietitians to try to educate the public about healthy eating and how to keep cholesterol levels at a manageable level that won't damage joints."
Published in the journal FASEB (Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology), the study also found that the drug atorvastatin, as well as mitochondrion-targeted antioxidants, was able to reduce the development of osteoarthritis.
Dr Thoru Pederson, editor in chief of FASEB, said: "Just when we thought all the angles on osteoarthritis had been uncovered, a new lead like this comes along.
"The focus of hypercholesterolemia, whether familial or sporadic, has, of course, always been on arterial disease, but here we have a fascinating new discovery."
Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint.
In the UK, around 10 million people have arthritis - the two most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/722008/high-cholesterol-could-be-the-cause-of-arthritis

Healthy eating steps for those with arthritis

By Angela Walli

Arthritis is a medical term used to describe inflammation of the joints. Symptoms include joint pain, redness and swelling. There are four major types of arthritis: Degenerative arthritis which comes about when the cartilage wears away, causing friction when bone rubs against bone. There is also inflammatory arthritis which is mainly autoimmune, infectious arthritis caused by bacteria infecting the joints and metabolic arthritis which is due to too much uric acid in the body, which causes pain in the joints and toe joints (gout). Symptoms vary from person to person and will manifest from time to time. However, in severe cases, arthritis can result in chronic pain that is accompanied by the inability to perform normal daily activities. There are however, certain steps one can take to prevent joint pain and damage, improve their mobility and quality of life. Learning about how to eat an arthritis-friendly diet will go a long way to improve symptoms. Controlling your weight is an important first step towards taking charge of your arthritis. When there is too much weight, it tends to put strain on the already strained joints, causing pain and increasing the rate of degeneration of joints.

Reduce your intake of high calorie foods and focus on diet plans that will help you make a sustainable change in your lifestyle. Since arthritis is an inflammatory disease, eating an anti-inflammatory diet can help to prevent symptom flare ups. Therefore ensure you get a serving of fruits and vegetables in every meal to boost your antioxidant intake. Opt for healthier fats like olive oil as opposed to saturated fats and trans-fats found in fried snacks and animal products. Also include omega-3 fatty acid sources.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/evewoman/article/2000219424/healthy-eating-steps-for-those-with-arthritis

EXCLUSIVE: Mediterranean diet EASES arthritis pain, scientists find

By Laura Milne

Eating fruit, vegetables, seeds and oily fish will also loosen stiff joints, research showed.
Scientists behind the study called their findings “exciting.”
Dr Lex Mauger, of the University of Kent, said: “The Mediterranean diet has previously been associated with a number of health benefits.

“But the exciting finding with this study is that specific guidance on adhering to this type of diet can change eating behaviour and result in a number of beneficial physiological changes, relevant to osteoarthritis, in a relatively short period of time.”
About 10 million people in the UK suffer from arthritis. Around 8.5 million of these have the most common form, osteoarthritis caused by wear and tear on joints where the cartilage that cushions movement is worn away.
The main symptoms are pain and stiffness. It most often causes problems in the knees, hips and small joints of the hands.
For some sufferers, the symptoms can be mild but in others it can be severe and make it difficult to carry out everyday activities.
Arthritis is chronic condition, which means it cannot be cured, and treatment costs the NHS around £5billion a year.
The study, commissioned by the UK charity Arthritis Action and published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, looked at the effects of a Mediterranean-type diet on 99 patients with osteoarthritis.
Traditionally people from Mediterranean countries such as Greece and Italy consume large amounts of fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil, little red meat and moderate amounts of dairy, fish, poultry and wine.
Half of the participants followed the diet for 16 weeks, while the rest continued their usual eating plan.
Scientists studied how much their cartilage degraded or swelled and measured the affected joints’ movement.
The findings revealed that among the Mediterranean diet a biomarker relating to inflammation fell by 47 per cent, and another showing the cartilage’s decay fell eight per cent.
Those who followed the healthy eating plan also lost, on average, 2.2 per cent in weight and gained greater knee and hip movement.
Martin Lau of Arthritis Action, said: “This is the first study of its kind to look at the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and osteoarthritis and to examine the effect of a dietary pattern to manage osteoarthritis.
“As osteoarthritis is a chronic disease, treatment is primarily about managing the symptoms and this study shows that eating healthily may help form part of that treatment strategy.”
The research provides further proof of the health benefits of eating a Mediterranean diet.
Last month, scientists from Cambridge University found healthy people who adopted the diet were up to 16 per cent less likely to suffer damage to their hearts or arteries.

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/719255/Mediterranean-diet-help-prevent-arthritis-research

5 common risk factors of arthritis in children and young adults

By Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti

Most people associate arthritis to old age, but not many know that even children and young adults can be at risk. Arthritis affects 15% of Indians and has high prevalence than other common disease. Dr Anil Raheja, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgery, Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Delhi lists a few common causes and risk factors of arthritis in young people and kids.

Sports injuries: Sports injuries are one of the common causes of arthritis in growing children. Moreover, the trauma of sports inquiries can cause osteoarthritis in adults of any age. The common injuries that may lead to osteoarthritis are torn cartilage, dislocated joints and ligament injuries.

Electronic Gadgets: Everyone is aware that the younger generation spends most of the time on mobile phones, computers and other gaming devices. However, it not only makes them prone to osteoarthritis of the wrists and fingers but also affects the posture leading to joints disorders of the spine and hip, which are quite common these days.

Autoimmune disorders: Did you know autoimmune disease also puts young adults and children at risk of arthritis? It is a condition in which the immune system, which fights bacteria, attacks the healthy cells leading to infection and inflammation of the joints.

Obesity: Although arthritis affects people of all ages, genders, and sizes, the risk increases if one is overweight. Excess body weight adds additional stress on the joints, especially knees, hips, and back and can also cause cartilage damage, which is the hallmark of osteoarthritis.

Smoking: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, particularly if you have a genetic predisposition for developing the disease. Smoking also appears to be associated with increase severity of the disease.

http://www.thehealthsite.com/photo-gallery/diseases-conditions/common-risk-factors-of-arthritis-in-children-and-young-adults-b1016/arthritis--439409

Three keys to lower arthritis risk

From mercerspace.com

My mother suffers from arthritis. Is there anything I can do to keep from developing arthritis as well?
Believe it or not, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis and arthritis-related conditions, and each type has a different set of risk factors and impacts the body in a different way.
Unfortunately, having a family history of arthritis does make it more likely that you will develop arthritis as well. Your gender and age are also common arthritis risk factors that are out of your control.
But while there is no definite way to prevent arthritis, there are still some things that you can do to lower your risk of developing it.
Eat Well. Maintain a healthy diet that’s high in Vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids. New research also suggests that diabetes can be a significant risk factor for osteoarthritis, so try to cut out the sugar as well. A healthy diet can also help you to control your weight, which keeps extra pounds from putting additional pressure on your weight-bearing joints.
Stay Active. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week can strengthen the muscles that support your knees and hips, which are prime targets for osteoarthritis. But with that said, take good care to avoid injury through proper stretching, warm-up techniques and by wearing the appropriate protective gear. Severe sports injuries such as ligament tears can lead to osteoarthritis later on down the road. If you do suffer a minor or overuse injury, get it treated properly and give yourself time to rest and heal before resuming your activities.
Make Healthy Choices. As with any health condition, making simple and smart lifestyle choices goes a long way in helping to prevent arthritis. Get plenty of rest, find healthy ways to manage your stress, limit your alcohol intake and, if you are a smoker, try to quit.
—Dr. Harsha Oza, RWJ Medical Associates, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton

http://mercerspace.com/news/three-keys-to-lower-arthritis-risk/

Suffering from arthritis? Avoid these foods!

From Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Arthritis is a painful medical condition which is more common in women than men. It is a form of inflammation of joints that leads to severe pain, swelling and stiffness. Though there are many medicines to treat this condition, but one can reduce arthritis pain simply by avoiding certain foods.
Here are some foods to avoid if you are suffering from arthritis:

Red meat

Avoid consuming red meat as it contains relatively high levels of an omega-6 fatty acid called arachidonic acid that exacerbate pain and inflammation.

Fried foods

One should avoid eating any fried foods, especially those fried in vegetable oils as they are high in omega-6 fatty acids.

Sugary drinks

Stop drinking sugary drinks like soda, fruit punch and lemonade as they can increase the acidity of the blood, exacerbating inflammation. Instead you can drink water and herbal teas.

Coffee

Avoid drinking coffee if you want to reduce the arthritis pain as it can increase acidity of the blood, which exacerbate inflammation. You can replace coffee with green tea and herbal teas.

Dairy products

Dairy products like cheese, ice cream, milk, butter, and yogurt should be avoided as they contribute to arthritis pain due to the type of protein they contain.

http://zeenews.india.com/health/suffering-from-arthritis-avoid-these-foods-1935503http://zeenews.india.com/health/suffering-from-arthritis-avoid-these-foods-1935503