Is There a Link Between Psoriatic Arthritis and Gluten?

From healthcentral.com

Some evidence suggests that this protein found in wheat may trigger symptoms in psoriatic disease. We asked the experts for the bottom line

When you live with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), you’re always on the lookout for things that might trigger symptoms, including the foods you eat. With gluten increasingly in the news for its contribution to various health issues, it’s natural to wonder whether a gluten-free diet might help your psoriatic arthritis symptoms.

There is much to be discovered about the exact link between psoriatic disease and gluten, but research suggests a connection exists. In one study, researchers showed psoriasis patients (psoriasis is often the precursor to psoriatic arthritis) are more than twice as likely as the general population to be diagnosed with celiac disease, a condition triggered by gluten intolerance, compared to matched controls.

And according to the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, individuals with celiac disease are at an increased risk of psoriasis. “The connection is not well understood, but both conditions exert their effects through the actions of inflammatory mediators,” says Susan Goodman, M.D., rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

Let’s take a closer look at what that means.

Is Gluten Bad for Psoriatic Arthritis?

“I would not recommend a gluten elimination for people with psoriatic arthritis right off the bat—there is no evidence showing that gluten directly impacts the disease,” say Ashley Baumohl, R.D., a registered dietitian at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Baumohl says that diet does play an important role in easing symptoms with psoriatic arthritis, but usually, weight management and inflammation reduction are the primary focus of nutrition interventions. “Focusing on plant-based foods rich in fibre, antioxidants, and polyphenols can reduce oxidative stress on the body,” says Baumohl. Incorporating healthy fats from oily fish, nuts, seeds, and olive oil can have an anti-inflammatory benefit and may lead to a reduction in inflammatory markers we see elevated in arthritis, she says.

On the other hand, if you know you have celiac disease, gluten may be off-limits. “For patients who have celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, having gluten may trigger psoriatic activity,” Baumohl explains, adding that while gluten is not known to cause psoriatic arthritis, “if you feel better after eliminating gluten, it could be indicative of a co-occurring digestive disorder” such as gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

What Is Celiac Disease?

Gluten is a protein found in foods containing wheat, barley, or rye. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system is triggered by gluten consumption. This reaction damages your small intestine’s lining and prevents it from absorbing nutrients. Celiac disease is estimated to affect 1% of the populations of Europe and North America, but that number jumps up to 10% if you have a first-degree relative, such as a parent or child, who has it, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

This family connection is associated with a recognizable gene mutation (HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8). However, not everyone with that gene mutation will develop celiac disease and not everyone with celiac disease has that gene mutation.

Are People With Celiac More Likely to Get Psoriatic Arthritis?

According to Dr. Goodman, there is a two-way relationship between both conditions. “There is an increase in other autoimmune diseases in patients with psoriatic arthritis,” she says. “Patients with celiac disease are more likely to get psoriasis, and patients with psoriatic arthritis are more likely to get celiac disease.” However, one condition doesn’t cause the other. “While some people with psoriatic arthritis report improvement in their symptoms if they eliminate gluten, there is no evidence that gluten can cause psoriatic arthritis,” Dr. Goodman adds.

Are People With Psoriatic Arthritis More Likely to Get Celiac Disease?

As noted, the relationship between celiac and PsA goes both ways, with each increasing the likelihood of the other. “Since patients with psoriatic disease are known to have an increased risk for other autoimmune diseases, it is not surprising that they are at increased risk for celiac disease,” Dr. Goodman says.

“Looking at large databases including both Kaiser Permanente and an Israeli database, patients with psoriasis are two- to three-fold more likely to have celiac disease than those without psoriasis,” she says.

However, Dr. Goodman says that there isn’t one consensus on how closely the conditions are linked. “The findings are not consistent and other studies have not confirmed these associations,” she explains. “As celiac disease and spondyloarthritis, including psoriatic arthritis, are more common in northern European populations, the differences in study results may reflect the differences in populations studied.”

Following a Gluten-Free Diet 

If you’re curious to discover whether reducing or eliminating gluten from your diet might help your psoriatic arthritis symptoms, the National Celiac Association provides sample recipes on their site that match a gluten-free lifestyle:

Breakfast

Today there are many more packaged gluten-free meals available at the grocery store or your favourite restaurant. The National Celiac Association recommends gluten-free muffins, pancakes or crepes, scrambled eggs, hash browns, or a French toast casserole to start your day.

There are plenty of whole foods that are gluten-free as well: Consider eggs, fresh berries (or any raw fruit), and plain yogurt.

Lunch

From a gluten-free sloppy joe mix to taco salad, the National Celiac Association has a variety of lunch ideas to keep you rolling through your day. If sandwiches are more your jam for lunch, there are dozens of gluten-free bread recipes here and of course most grocery stores carry at least one type of gluten-free bread (don’t forget to check the frozen section).

If you aren’t sure if your favourite lunch meat is gluten-free, you can check this website for more information. Looking for vegetarian lunch ideas that are also gluten free? You can find recipes and ideas here.

Snacks

Cottage cheese and fruit, celery and peanut butter, and apples dipped in plain yogurt are all healthy gluten-free snack options. If you are traveling, there are many grab and go healthy snack options that are also gluten-free. It’s easy to find protein bars including Aloha Bars, Perfect Bars, and Kind Breakfast Bars that are gluten free. If you want to put together your own snack for on the go, Betty Crocker provides a variety of ideas and recipes to make at home.

Dinner

As long as you omit foods containing wheat, barley, or rye, your dinner will be gluten-free. That means shrimp and broccoli, chicken with greens beans, and steak served with a baked potato are all fair game. Some sauces may contain gluten, so when in doubt, choose foods that are unprocessed and served without extra dressings.

Talk to Your Doctor

While psoriatic arthritis is considered a joint condition, it’s important that you discuss any gastrointestinal (GI) issues with your rheumatologist. “GI symptoms may be medication-related or may be related to Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, in addition to the possibility of celiac,” says Dr. Goodman. You won’t know for sure what’s going on until you check in with your provider, who may suggests various tests to figure out what’s going on.

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/psoriatic-arthritis/gluten-and-psoriatic-arthritis-link

Joint pain? Avoid these foods: Unpacking the link between diet and rheumatoid arthritis

From msn.com/en-us

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other similar health issues result in ailments that can profoundly impact everyday functionalities. Patients typically experience symptoms like swelling, redness, stiffness, and acute joint pain.

Other associated symptoms involve chronic fatigue, increased body temperature, night sweats, and weight loss. Risk factors promoting joint diseases may include excess alcohol consumption, smoking, infections, sustained stress, and an unhealthy diet. So, which foods should someone struggling with joint inflammation avoid?

                                                                                               © Getty Images, Predrag Popovski

Importance of limiting: Products containing gluten

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who also have gluten intolerance should exclude this ingredient from their diets. In this situation, products containing gluten can escalate painful joint-related conditions.

Casein isn't beneficial

Casein is a primary protein found in cow's milk. If consistently included in the diets of RA individuals, it can heighten the symptoms of autoimmune diseases by provoking the immune system to generate antibodies.

Exercise Caution with Fat-Rich Foods

Eating foods with high levels of saturated and trans fats heightens the chances of inflammatory conditions developing in our bodies. Hence, individuals with joint diseases need to monitor their intake. High proportions of omega-6 polyunsaturated fat in a product, compared with omega-3 acids, can also be problematic.

Patients suffering from joint inflammation should also refrain from eating highly processed food, products laden with sugar, and alcoholic beverages.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/joint-pain-avoid-these-foods-unpacking-the-link-between-diet-and-rheumatoid-arthritis/ar-AA1mLrdn?item=flights%3Cimg%20src&item=flights%3Cimg%20

10 best foods for healthy joints, and which to avoid

From restless.co.uk

Joint health is something that we tend to think about more with age. Due to various factors, such as loss of bone density, reduced flexibility, and menopause, age can increase our risk of developing joint-related conditions like arthritis.

However, diet can be a powerful way to keep joints healthy and, luckily, plenty of delicious, versatile foods have been noted as particularly beneficial.

With this in mind, here are 10 of the best foods for healthy joints, as well as some to avoid.

1. Tart cherry juice

Tart cherry juice is made from the fruit of the Prunus cerasus tree. Some people describe it as tasting a little like unfiltered red wine, while others say it tastes like cherry pie!

When it comes to joint pain, the use of tart cherry juice for relief dates back nearly a century.

Tart cherries contain anti-inflammatory compounds called anthocyanins, which are responsible for the blue, purple, and red colours of fruits and vegetables. There’s evidence that these compounds can help to combat a number of chronic inflammatory diseases, including arthritis.

For example, this study found that tart cherries helped to reduce joint pain and stiffness, while another study revealed that drinking tart cherry juice for three weeks decreased levels of inflammatory markers in women with osteoarthritis.

Tart cherry juice is available to buy on Amazon*.

Note: Some tart cherry juice contains a lot of added sugar, so for maximum health benefits it’s worth checking the label and choosing no added sugar versions.

2. Fatty fish

It’s a rarity for fatty fish not to make it onto a list of health-promoting foods – and there’s good reason for this. The omega-3 content of fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, and trout is known to have powerful anti-inflammatory effects.

For example, this scientific review found that taking omega-3 supplements reduced joint pain intensity, morning stiffness, the number of painful joints, and the use of pain relievers in patients living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Meanwhile, other research suggests that – like tart cherry juice – omega-3 fatty acids can lower the number of inflammatory markers linked with osteoarthritis.

Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of seafood as it’s easy to up your intake of omega-3 by eating other foods too. This includes nuts like pecans, hazelnuts, and walnuts; seeds such as chia, flax, and pumpkin; and soya products like tofu, tempeh, and soya milk.

Fatty fish are also a rich source of vitamin D which is another important nutrient when it comes to joint health. In fact, various studies have linked rheumatoid arthritis with low levels of vitamin D.

If you’d like to start adding more fatty fish into your diet, you’ll find plenty of recipe inspiration in this collection of oily fish recipes from The Guardian. Or, if you don’t eat fish, you could try one of these 15 delicious vegan recipes that are high in omega-3 from VegFAQs.

3. Ginger

Ginger is another food that’s important for healthy joints.

This study, which assessed the impact of ginger extract on people with osteoarthritis of the knee, found that after six weeks, 63% had experienced a reduction in knee pain.

Other research has also revealed that ginger is able to block substances in the body that promote inflammation; while this animal study found that ginger extract reduced levels of a specific inflammatory marker linked with arthritis in rats.

There are various ways to enjoy ginger in your diet; for example, adding it to tea and soups. This list of ginger recipes from BBC Good Food has plenty more ideas.

4. Walnuts

Walnuts are loaded with important nutrients that science suggests may help to reduce inflammation linked with painful joints.

As mentioned above, omega-3 fatty acids have been found to be effective at reducing symptoms of arthritis – which walnuts are particularly rich in.

For example, this scientific review suggests that eating walnuts may lower levels of chronic inflammation in the body.

For ideas on how to add more walnuts to your diet, check out these healthy walnut recipes from Eating Well. You’ll find everything from chicken pasta with parsley and walnut pesto, to baked oats with banana and walnuts.

5. Broccoli

Broccoli is well-known as one of the healthiest foods because of its nutrient-dense content.

Sulforaphane is a compound found in broccoli that, according to research, can block the formation of particular cells involved in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Experts have noted that sulforaphane may prevent joint pain in the same way arthritic drugs do.

Broccoli is also packed with salicylic acid – the active ingredient in aspirin. Salicylic acid is effective at reducing joint inflammation because it helps to prevent the production of prostaglandin hormones that are responsible for joint tenderness and swelling.

Lastly, broccoli’s rich vitamin C content is important for creating and protecting cartilage. Healthy cartilage is vital because it allows bones to glide over one another smoothly and prevents them rubbing together.

Why not try one of these healthy and delicious broccoli recipes from Self? There’s everything from comforting pastas to hearty soups and warming pies.

6. Garlic

Garlic has been celebrated for its health benefits for centuries, and this is no different when it comes to healthy joints.

Garlic has been identified as having anti-inflammatory effects that may improve symptoms of arthritis and even reduce the risk of developing the condition in the first place. For example, this study found that people who ate more garlic had a lower risk of developing hip osteoarthritis.

Some research has suggested that garlic may enhance certain immune cell function and help to strengthen the immune system in general. A healthy immune system is vital for avoiding chronic inflammation, which among other things, can cause joint problems.

The other great thing about garlic is it’s easy to incorporate into your diet and always adds a dose of extra flavour. For ideas on how to get started, check out these healthy garlic recipes from Eating Well, which include everything from garlic butter-roasted salmon to hasselback sweet potatoes with garlic-yoghurt sauce.

7. Grapes

Grapes are full of nutrients and antioxidants, which offer a number of anti-inflammatory benefits.

In this study, when men were given concentrated grape powder (the equivalent of 252g of fresh grapes), levels of inflammatory markers in their blood significantly decreased.

Grapes also contain a number of compounds – for example, the antioxidant resveratrol – that’ve been shown to benefit joint health.

Results from this test-tube study, suggested that resveratrol may help to prevent the thickening of joints involved in arthritis.

Proanthocyanidin is another plant compound present in grapes, which may reduce joint inflammation too.

8. Spinach

Leafy greens like spinach are full of important nutrients.

A number of studies have suggested that eating more fruit and vegetables can lower levels of inflammation. Spinach in particular, is especially rich in the antioxidant kaempferol, which has been found to reduce the impact of inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

For example, this test-tube study found that when arthritic cartilage cells were treated with kaempferol, inflammation decreased and the progression of osteoarthritis was prevented.

Spinach also contains vitamins C and E. Vitamin E protects the body against pro-inflammatory molecules, while vitamin C helps the body to make collagen (a major component of cartilage that allows joint flexibility).

For tips on how to add more of this leafy green to your diet, check out these spinach recipes from BBC Good Food. You’ll find everything from creamy mushroom and spinach pasta to spinach pancakes with poached eggs.

9. Olive oil

Olive oil is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can positively impact joint health.

For example, in this study, feeding mice extra-virgin olive oil for six weeks helped to reduce joint swelling and inflammation, and slowed cartilage degeneration. All together, these effects helped to prevent the development of arthritis.

Another study found that when people with rheumatoid arthritis took one olive oil capsule every day for 24 weeks, their levels of a specific inflammatory marker decreased by 38.5%. Plenty of other research has also linked olive oil consumption with a lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

For inspiration on how to use olive oil in your diet, check out these healthy olive oil recipes from La Tourangelle.

10. Berries

The antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals present in berries are largely responsible for their unique ability to fight inflammation.

For example, this study found that eating at least two servings of strawberries each week led to a 14% reduction of inflammatory markers in the blood.

However, berries are also rich in plant compounds rutin and quercetin, which offer huge health benefits. In this test-tube study, quercetin blocked inflammatory processes that can lead to arthritis; and in a different study, when rats were given rutin and quercetin supplements, arthritis inflammation decreased.

Like tart cherries, blueberries also contain anthocyanin – identifying them as having potential to ease joint pain and stiffness.

Berries can be enjoyed as a delicious snack, as a sweet breakfast or dessert topping, in smoothies, or over yoghurt. For more ways to use them, check out these amazing and healthy berry recipes from Simply Quinoa.

Are any foods bad for joint health?

In the same way that some foods support and promote joint health, research has revealed that others can have a negative impact.

For example…

Processed and red meat

Some studies have suggested that eating too much processed and red meat could be a risk factor for developing inflammatory arthritis. This is mostly because they contain high levels of inflammatory markers, like C-reactive protein and homocysteine, which can inflame joints and cause pain and stiffness.

Plant-based diets that exclude red meat, on the other hand, have been found to improve arthritis symptoms.

Gluten-rich foods

Gluten is a group of proteins found in wheat, rye, barley, and triticale. Some research has linked it with increased inflammation in the body, and suggested that going gluten-free may help to ease joint pain and stiffness.

Added sugars

This study of people with rheumatoid arthritis found that among 20 different foods, sugar-sweetened drinks and desserts were those most frequently reported as worsening joint-related issues, like pain and stiffness.

In addition, other research has suggested that drinking fructose-sweetened drinks five times per week or more can make you three times more likely to develop arthritis than those who consume little or no fructose-sweetened drinks.

Some vegetable oils

Vegetable oils contain omega-6 fatty acids. Research has found consuming too much and having an imbalance of omega-6 fatty and omega-3 in the body can cause inflammation and increase the risk of conditions like arthritis.

High-salt foods

Studies suggest that eating too much salt – which is particularly high in foods like pizza, crisps, and ready meals – may be a risk factor for developing autoimmune diseases like inflammatory arthritis.

This study revealed that mice on a low-salt diet experienced less cartilage breakdown and bone destruction, and fewer inflammatory markers than mice on a high-salt diet.

Alcohol

Alcohol is known to have a negative impact on joint health. This study linked alcohol intake with increased damage to spinal joint structure; and other studies have also noted it as a risk factor for osteoarthritis.

Final thoughts…

Taking care of our joints is important not only for comfort and quality of life, but for our overall health too. Research has consistently shown that diet can significantly impact our joint health, so making small dietary changes, really can make a difference.

https://restless.co.uk/health/healthy-body/best-foods-for-healthy-joints-and-which-to-avoid/?contact_id=cbd16474-a901-4a2c-af60-6ed395abcfb9&utm_campaign=23-01-24&utm_source=monday-email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=monday-email-general-23-01-24&bsft_clkid=29ca5e16-6fcb-4c67-ab32-0475e2dbff28&bsft_uid=fefc9996-3bf0-4a4f-be46-02819b1cb965&bsft_mid=beb10f83-3c27-456d-834b-c242fcafc50a&bsft_eid=65a7e556-3beb-45d8-9a6d-2366908bddaf&bsft_mime_type=html&bsft_ek=2023-01-24T06%3A30%3A34Z&bsft_aaid=3fb5a0c8-1d80-4f30-8749-7b9799f02c6c&bsft_lx=3&bsft_tv=22