5 inflammatory foods to avoid if you have arthritis or are at risk of arthritis

From msn.com

Nearly a quarter of U.S. adults suffer from the painful symptoms that come with arthritis, per the CDC. While there is no known cure for arthritis, simple changes in diet can improve symptoms such as joint pain or swelling and lower risk of developing forms of arthritis.

Let’s take a look at 5 inflammatory foods that may trigger arthritis symptoms. 

1. Red meat

Research suggests red meats such as beef, pork, lamb and veal may increase inflammation, resulting in worse arthritis symptoms. A large review of studies found that plant-based diets could reduce pain in people with arthritis.

“Red meats are higher in fat — particularly saturated fat — than white meats and plant-based protein. Studies have associated red meat intake with increased levels of inflammation, which may worsen swelling in the joints and arthritis symptoms,” reports Verywell Health.

Processed meats like hot dogs, pepperoni and bacon may also be troublesome for those at risk of arthritis. A 2021 study published in the Nutrition Journal found an associated between high consumption of processed meats and risk of developing Rheumatoid arthritis, when compared to fish and poultry diets.

2. Gluten

Gluten may be the culprit behind your inflamed and painful joints — even if you do not have Celiac disease. Although recent studies suggest individuals with celiac disease are more prone to Rheumatoid arthritis.

Still, cutting back on gluten could be advantageous in reducing joint inflammation, research shows a gluten-free diet can significantly ease arthritis symptoms and reduce inflammation.

“A lot of people do an elimination diet with gluten and think their joints feel better ... It doesn’t necessarily mean they have celiac disease, but they could have a gluten sensitivity,” Dr. Sonali Khandelwal, MD, a rheumatologist at Rush University Medical Centre told Women’s Health.

3. High-salt foods

Consuming high amounts of salty foods, or sodium, may put people at higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory arthritis, according to a 2017 study.

On average, Americans eat almost twice the recommended daily sodium intake — which is about 1 teaspoon of salt per day, per the FDA.

Some high-sodium foods include:

• Fast foods such as hamburgers and fries.
• Pizza.
• Deli meats.
• Condiments and salad dressings.
• Canned vegetables.
• Frozen dinners.

“Your body needs the sodium in salt for many functions, but consuming too much (which is common) can be problematic. Research has associated high salt intake with greater inflammation and an increased risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis,” according to Verywell Health.

In a 2015 study, researched evaluated 18,555 individuals — nearly 400 of which self-reported having rheumatoid arthritis. The results linked high sodium intake with a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.

4. Added sugars

Consuming added sugars — found in soda, candy, pastries, and dairy desserts — can worsen symptoms of arthritis, research shows.

5. Highly-processed foods

“Ultra-processed items — such as fast food, breakfast cereal, and baked goods — tend to be high in refined grains, added sugar, preservatives, fructose, and other potentially inflammatory ingredients, all of which may worsen arthritis symptoms,” reports Healthline.

Many highly processed foods contain large amounts of Dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These AGEs can cause oxidative stress in the body, resulting in higher inflammation, per Healthline. Some of these foods include: hot dogs, American cheese, mayonnaise, salty snacks and fried bacon.

Frequently consuming highly processed foods is often associated with obesity and increased insulin resistance, both of which can trigger arthritis, according to a 2018 study.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/5-inflammatory-foods-to-avoid-if-you-have-arthritis-or-are-at-risk-of-arthritis/ar-AA1kK4my?item=flights%3Cimg%20src&item=flights%3Cimg%20src&item=flights%3Cimg%20src&item=flights%3Cimg%20src&item=flights%3Cimg%20src&item=flights%3Cimg%20src&apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

High Prevalence of Arthritis Symptoms Found in Psoriasis Patients: Study

From belmarrahealth.com

An international study has revealed significant findings regarding the risk of arthritis in individuals with psoriasis. So far, the study has included 712 patients, which is 25% of the total studied and has shown a substantial number of them experiencing joint problems.

This research, conducted by experts from Oxford University, University College Dublin, and supported by The University of Manchester, has already recruited nearly 3,000 participants. However, the team is still looking for 2,000 more psoriasis participants. Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by flaky patches with white scales and affects around 3% of people in the UK and Europe.

The fact that 25% of the participants have joint issues confirms what scientists already knew: up to a third of people with psoriasis are likely to develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This form of arthritis leads to inflammation and pain in the joints and tendons.

The study is led by Professor Laura Cotes from Oxford University. She explained that, currently, there is no way to determine which psoriasis patients will develop arthritis. This research aims to create methods to prevent arthritis in these patients through possible drug treatments or lifestyle changes such as exercise and stress management.

The study is an online study called HIPPOCRATES Prospective Observational Study. This online study, short form HPOS, monitors individuals with psoriasis for three years to identify who develops psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Participants complete online surveys and send small blood samples via mail. The study started in the UK in July 2023 and expanded to Ireland in August 2023, Greece in February 2024, and Portugal in April 2024. The research team in Oxford plans to include another 12 European countries, aiming to recruit 25,000 psoriasis patients in total.

Professor Cotes mentioned that researchers from across Europe will gather in Manchester on June 19 and 20 to discuss the study’s progress. So far, they have collected initial data from 2,841 patients, with 1,761 from Ireland and 1,067 from the UK.

Professor Ann Barton from The University of Manchester analyses the genetic samples collected in the study. She stated that some psoriasis patients will develop psoriatic arthritis. If they can identify which patients are at a higher risk, these individuals could receive preventative treatments in the future.

Manchester is focusing on finding genetic changes that might predict who is more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis. The HPOS study will help collect the necessary samples to advance this work.

Russ Cowper, a Manchester resident who has lived with PsA for many years, shared that diagnosing PsA is challenging and can be confusing for patients. He noted that general practitioners might not always recognize the symptoms, which can vary widely. Once diagnosed, patients can better plan for their future, knowing they have a chronic condition.

He described PsA as a debilitating condition with unpredictable flare-ups, affecting nearly all his joints except his elbows. He explained that the pain can be exhausting, leading to poor sleep and making daily tasks difficult.

The study is part of the broader HIPPOCRATES project, which is a large research collaboration involving over 25 groups across Europe. Under the leadership of Professor Oliver FitzGerald in Dublin, the project seeks to address critical questions about psoriasis, such as its diagnosis, predicting arthritis development, responses to treatments, and identifying which patients may suffer joint damage.

Professor FitzGerald mentioned that people with psoriasis have been involved in all aspects of the study. He expects the results to identify risk factors for developing psoriatic arthritis and hopes for strong public interest, which could lead to new treatments to prevent the condition.

https://www.belmarrahealth.com/arthritis-prevalence-in-psoriasis-patients/  

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Not Working? Here’s What You Need to Know

From creakyjoints.org

Learn about suboptimal treatment and get tips from both a provider and a patient on how to work with your doctor to better manage your rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. While there is currently no cure, an expanding arsenal of medications can help reduce your symptoms. Additionally, diet and lifestyle changes may be recommended to supplement your treatment. 

When starting an RA treatment plan, your hope is for the disease to go into remission or to experience low disease activity. But what if your treatment doesn’t seem to be working? What if your symptoms get worse?  

A 2021 study, titled “Treatment Satisfaction, Patient Preferences, and the Impact of Suboptimal Disease Control in a Large International Rheumatoid Arthritis Cohort: SENSE Study,” found that only 13 percent out of about 1,600 study participants reported good treatment satisfaction. Satisfaction was defined as a general sense of improved arthritis symptoms and overall less joint pain.  

The medical community has a growing awareness of the problem of suboptimal treatment. Phillip Mease, MD, a rheumatologist at Seattle Rheumatology Associates, says. “We are seeing multiple patients on a weekly basis who, despite being on medication, are coming in with active disease — swollen joints, pain, stiffness, fatigue.” Some of these patients are on their fourth or fifth drug, he adds. “They had initially good responses, but then the drugs lost their benefit. It’s becoming more and more of an issue for us.”  

He estimates that 10 to 30 percent of patients are receiving inadequate treatment or have what is now known as “difficult-to-treat RA.” 

If your treatment results have not met your expectations, you can talk to your health care provider about your concerns. You may need a change of regimen. Here’s how you can identify when your treatment plan may be suboptimal and what you can do about it. 

What Is Suboptimal Treatment — And Why It Matters

You and your doctor might not use the phrase “suboptimal treatment,” but you should be talking about whether your rheumatoid arthritis treatment is helping you achieve optimal disease control. Suboptimal treatment means your current approach isn’t giving you the best results. This can happen if it’s not effective enough, has too many side effects, is hard to manage, or just doesn’t fit well with your life. Knowing when your treatment isn’t working can help you look for better options.  

Your perspective is very important to understanding if your rheumatoid arthritis treatment is working, but it helps to have clear guidelines. The SENSE study explained suboptimal treatment in four main areas: 

• Effectiveness: How well it controls your symptoms and helps you feel better. 
• Side Effects: How well you can tolerate them and whether they interfere with your life. 
• Convenience: How easy it is to follow the prescribed regimen. 
• Overall Satisfaction: How happy you are with the treatment overall.

Knowing these areas can help you and your doctor decide if your current rheumatoid arthritis plan needs to change to better help you.

Effectiveness  

The first place to begin assessing your treatment is with your symptoms. Good treatment should bring relief, low disease activity, or, the ultimate goal, remission. 

Eileen Davidson was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2015 and knows what it is like to experience suboptimal treatment. She says the period of waiting to see if a medication is going to work is one of the most difficult aspects of RA. “It can take months to start working…It’s hard not to think about immediate relief.” 

Eileen defines effective treatment as “treatment that lets me go through my day without having to worry about fatigue or pain getting in my way.” And for the relief to be consistent.  

If you experience continued or progressive pain after treatment — especially if accompanied by swollen joints — it is a red flag and should be discussed with your doctor. It’s also important to note that if there is still pain, but no visible swelling in the joints, it could be a sign of fibromyalgia, a disease that shares common risk factors with RA. 

One symptom that can sometimes be overlooked by health care providers is fatigue. Fatigue can be an overwhelming mental and physical feeling that can affect the day-to-day life of people with RA. “A patient may feel like they are in quicksand or feel like they can’t even breathe. Fatigue is one the most disabling features of RA,” says Dr. Mease.  

Moreover, fatigue is not just a symptom of RA. It can also be pointing to other comorbidities, says Dr. Mease, such as sleep apnoea or depression.  

Because there is no way of objectively measuring fatigue and it is not an observable symptom from a physician’s perspective, it may be overlooked during an exam. Communicating with your health care provider about any weariness, tiredness, or heaviness that you continue to feel despite treatment will help in judging whether you are receiving suboptimal treatment.  

In preparing to give feedback to your health care provider about the effectiveness of your treatment plan, some questions you can ask yourself are: 

• Has your joint pain and swelling been reduced? 
• Do you feel less stiff and more mobile in the mornings? 
• Are fewer joints affected?  
• Are you feeling more energetic and able to accomplish daily tasks? 
• Has the progression of joint damage slowed down or stopped? 

Side Effects

In general, the medications for RA are well tolerated, according to Dr. Mease, but some patients may experience side effects. The most common four categories of medications and their side effects are:  

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs, which include aspirin and ibuprofen, can cause gastrointestinal issues such as abdominal pain or even ulcers if overused. 
• Steroids: These are not usually the primary treatment for a person with RA but are used to manage symptoms of inflammation while slower-acting drugs are doing their work. Steroids can cause weight gain, mood changes, and a swollen face known as “moon face,” among other reactions. 
• Conventional synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs): Of this group, methotrexate is the one that can cause side effects in about a third of patients, including nausea, fatigue, or ennui. In very rare cases, csDMARDs can cause eye issues. 
• Biologic DMARDs: These drugs slightly increase the risk of serious infections. These infections are mostly bacterial but can also be fungal or viral. For example, TNF inhibitors increase the risk of infection by 1 percent, compared to csDMARDs, according to a 2021 study published in the journal RMD Open. 

Eileen has experienced side effects such as gastrointestinal issues, hair loss, acid reflux, and itching skin. “It’s very important to bring up to your rheumatologist if a medication is causing side effects and it’s disrupting your life,” she says. 

Convenience

Taking medication can feel like one more thing you have to remember. You may have to take multiple medications and remember which one to take when. Depending on your treatment plan, it may involve an office visit. Most DMARDs can be administered orally. But biologic DMARDs are given either subcutaneously (a shot) or intravenously.  

While it’s important to take your RA medication as prescribed, if it’s a regimen you feel like you won’t be able to follow, talk to your health care provider about finding one you can get on board with. 

Global Satisfaction

 A good treatment plan should make your life better. Understanding how suboptimal treatment can impact your quality of life is important in determining if your treatment plan is working. Here are some areas to consider when assessing your quality of life: 

• Physical well-being: Have you had to pull back on your activities? Can you manage day-to-day functions? How many days out of the week are “normal” days where your symptoms do not get in the way of what you want to accomplish? 
• Emotional health: When you are feeling miserable, it can impact your mood. Are you experiencing anxiety or depression when you can’t find relief for your symptoms? 
• Social life: A healthy social life can improve your overall outlook, but if your symptoms persist and prevent you from socializing, you may need a change of treatment. 
• Financial stability: Having a chronic illness can get expensive, depending on your insurance coverage. If your treatment is getting too expensive, you can discuss it with your health care provider. 
• Work ability: If you are employed, are you able to manage your tasks in the workplace? How often do you have to take off work because of your symptoms? Your productivity in the workplace will be affected by how well your treatment is going.

The Long-Term Impact of Suboptimal Treatment

When you are experiencing debilitating symptoms of pain and fatigue, what’s on your mind is how to get relief. But reducing your symptoms can have an even greater goal — it can prevent further disease. Left untreated, rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint damage, joint deformity, and loss of function. 

 Without remission, RA patients experience a shorter lifespan. Unchecked inflammation is associated with plaque in the arteries, leading to cardiovascular disease such as heart attack or stroke, says Dr. Mease. Widespread inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis can put you at a higher risk for other complications.   

 According to the Mayo Clinic, these can include: 

• Carpal tunnel syndrome 
• Dry eyes and mouth or Sjorgen’s syndrome 
• Heart problems 
• Infections 
• Lung disease 
• Lymphoma 
• Osteoporosis 

 “If I see a patient that still has swollen joints after three months of therapy, there may be an issue,” says Dr. Mease. “The goal is to reduce symptoms. Our idea is to get to complete remission in order to preserve joint function down the road.” 

Working with Your Doctor for Better Disease Control

If your symptoms are telling you that your treatment is not working, it’s time to have a conversation with your doctor. Here are some ways to improve that communication: 

• Keep a diary. With a notebook or an app that tracks your symptoms, note activities you can and can no longer do, and record what treatments help or don’t help.  
• Stay current with regular health checks. Your doctor may ask you to have blood tests at intervals to monitor inflammation or prescribe imaging tests to check the progress of your joint health.                 
• Make regular appointments. Discuss your treatment goals/progress frequently. 
• Keep open communication. Ask how long it should take for your medication to work and what side effects to expect. Share any concerns you have about the medication. 
• Advocate for yourself. Don’t hesitate to speak up about your needs and concerns. If you feel your treatment isn’t effective, let your doctor know. 

 No one understands your symptoms better than you. “If you have gotten through a doctor visit and feel as though the physician has not addressed what is important to you, you need to bring it up,” says Dr. Mease. “Don’t feel like you are an irritation.” After all, it’s your health on the line. 

Check Out Remission Possible

Our Remission Possible podcast is dedicated to guiding and supporting you on your mission to take back your life and control symptoms. In each episode, we’ll share inspiring stories from patients who are succeeding in their mission and discuss how patients and doctors can work together to better understand the optimal course of treatment for different chronic conditions while keeping personal goals and lifestyle choices in mind. Listen now.  

https://creakyjoints.org/about-arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-treatment/ra-treatment-not-working/ 

Pharmacist shares best diet to reduce inflammation and arthritis

From msn.com

Millions of people in the UK are currently living with arthritis and other joint problems.

Some forms of arthritis are caused by inflammation, and can cause joint stiffness and even difficulty moving. There is currently no cure for arthritis, however, there are ways to both reduce your risk of the condition and ease symptoms.

However one expert has spoken with the Express about how a person's diet can ease their symptoms.

Pharmacist Mark Burdon from topical joint and muscle pain specialists Deep Relief, said: “Diet has an impact on arthritic pain through an effect on inflammation.” According to Mark, the best diet you can stick to to prevent inflammation is the Mediterranean diet.

He said: “An anti-inflammatory diet reduces inflammatory markers in the blood and can reduce pain. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet has been shown to be linked with reduced inflammation through the same mechanism."

He added: “A healthy anti-inflammatory diet also contributes to the ability to maintain a healthy weight. Too much fatty tissue especially around the stomach releases inflammatory mediators causing inflammation so it’s important to maintain weight in the healthy range.”

The Mediterranean diet is rich in healthy fats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds. It is consistently cited by health bodies as the best diet for a range of conditions such as heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Mark explained: “Anti-inflammatory foods for arthritic and joint pain include colourful vegetable and fruits, live yoghurt and other fermented foods, beans, pulses, oily fish, extra virgin olive oil with moderate amounts of high protein foods such as poultry, cheese, eggs, nuts and seeds and small amounts of lean red meat with sweet foods eaten only occasionally.”

His advice was backed by a medical study, published in Clinical Nutrition journal in 2020. The research analysed the impact of sticking to a Mediterranean diet for four years on more than 4,000 participants.

It concluded: “Higher adherence to Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of pain worsening and symptomatic forms of knee osteoarthritis.” And another, published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, found that eating a Mediterranean diet could ease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/pharmacist-shares-best-diet-to-reduce-inflammation-and-arthritis/ar-BB1jo0j6 

Biking Associated With Less Knee Pain and Arthritis Later in Life, Study Finds

From prevention.com

Experts explain the science behind the findings 

• Biking is associated with less knee pain and arthritis, according to a recent study.
• Researchers found that the more time a person spent bicycling in their lifetime, the less likely they were to have knee pain and signs of osteoarthritis later in life.
• Physical therapists explain what exercise may be best for your knees.

As we age, it’s essential to incorporate exercises that are low impact and easy on joints, especially if you struggle with arthritis pain. New research shows that a particular workout may help prevent knee pain and arthritis altogether: biking.

A study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise looked at how bicycling over a lifetime impacts knee pain and arthritis. This was a retrospective study within the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), where researchers investigated over 2,600 OAI participants in their 60s with complete data on bicycling, knee pain, and x-ray evidence of knee osteoarthritis.

Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire to classify bicycling during four time periods throughout a participant’s lifetime (ages 12-18, 19-34, 35-49, and > 50 years old). They researchers used this information to evaluate the effect of prior bicycling (any history of biking, history for each time period, number of periods cycling) on three outcomes at the 48-month OAI visit. The three outcomes were frequent knee pain, x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis, and symptomatic osteoarthritis.

Results showed that people who biked at any point in their lives were 17% less likely to develop knee pain, and 21% less likely to develop arthritis with pain in the knee joint, than those who did not. Even more, researchers found that the more time people spent biking, the less likely they were to have knee pain and signs of osteoarthritis later in life. The study also suggests that the exercise may help build muscle around the knees without jarring the joints—which could happen with activities like running.

So, how may biking specifically prevent knee pain and arthritis? Since it is a low-impact activity, it puts less stress on the knee joints compared to high-impact exercises like running, says Alex Aksanov, P.T., D.P.T., M.H.S., founder of Stay Active Physical Therapy. “This helps avoid wear and tear on the knee joints,” he explains. Biking also promotes joint mobility by keeping the knee joint moving throughout its full range of motion, which helps maintain flexibility and prevent stiffness often associated with arthritis, Aksanov points out.

Additionally, biking aids in the circulation of synovial fluid within the knee joint, says Aksanov. “Synovial fluid lubricates the joint, reducing friction and providing essential nutrients to the cartilage, which helps in preventing the degeneration associated with arthritis.” Lastly, Aksanov notes that the rhythmic and low-impact nature of biking can help nourish the cartilage by promoting the flow of nutrients and oxygen. “This helps in maintaining the health of the cartilage, which is crucial for joint health,” he explains.

Biking also strengthens the muscles around the knees, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles, says Aksanov. “Stronger muscles help stabilize and support the knee joint, reducing the risk of injury and easing the strain on the joints.” Aksanov continues: “The resistance encountered while pedalling, whether from the bike’s gears or terrain, provides a consistent workload for the muscles. This resistance forces the muscles to work harder and leads to muscle hypertrophy and growth over time.”

But, the muscle-building powers of bicycling are only as impactful as how hard you’re pedalling, says Karena Wu, P.T., D.P.T., clinical director and owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy. Biking can build muscles in the leg joint if the resistance is high enough, she explains. “If you have to push hard on the pedals and move at a specific rate (i.e. not very slow), you will contract the muscles more, which will build muscle strength around the knee joint,” she says.

When it comes to biking versus running, there’s no contest when it comes to the best exercise for your knees. Biking is low-impact, and places less stress on the joints, offering a smooth, controlled motion that maintains joint health without excessive strain, says Aksanov. “The resistance in biking can be adjusted to ensure balanced muscle engagement, avoiding imbalances that might contribute to knee pain.”

In contrast, running is a high-impact activity where each stride subjects the knees to significant force, increasing the risk of knee pain and injuries such as runner’s knee, Aksanov explains. “While running strengthens knee supporting muscles and burns more calories, its repetitive impact can lead to wear and tear on knee cartilage.” Overall, biking poses a lower risk of knee injuries and promotes joint mobility and flexibility, making it a better option for individuals with knee pain, Aksanov advises.

The bottom line

This study suggests that biking, over the long term, may be associated with less breakdown and wear and tear in the knee joints, says Wu. “This has been demonstrated as less reported complaints of knee pain, less evidence of knee osteoarthritis on [x-rays], and less symptomatic arthritis on [x-rays].” These results are important for individuals to know so that they can try to avoid knee issues in the future and understand another benefit of this type of exercise, Wu explains.

Overall, the study underscores the importance of regular physical activity and suggests that incorporating bicycling into one’s routine can be a proactive measure to support long-term knee health and a reduction of osteoarthritis, Aksanov adds.

Still, while biking can be a fantastic activity for individuals to prevent knee pain and arthritis, it’s essential for individuals to listen to their bodies, start gradually, and consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and recommendations, says Aksanov.

https://www.prevention.com/fitness/a61019556/biking-less-knee-pain-arthritis-later-in-life-study/