Arthritis is a generic
name for a group of diseases characterized by painful, swollen and
inflamed joints which can also spread to other organs in the body. These
diseases include osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout,
lupus, and fibromyalgia … etc.
There
are a few established risk factors that cause or worsen joint pain and
inflammation such as obesity, aging, injury and gender. But studies have
shown that repetitive-use injury associated with athletics and obesity
are the two greatest risk factors, especially for OA, and this risk
increases with an increase in weight. An unhealthy diet that’s high in
animal-based saturated fat, red meat and its processed derivatives has
shown to cause excessive weight gain, trigger inflammation and lead to
deficiencies that do not promote healthy joints.*
Dietary
treatment involves reduced calorie intake for weight loss, this will
result in less pressure on the joints, and rather than eliminating fat,
replace with healthier plant-based fats, such as avocado pear, peanut
butter, olive, canola and sunflower oils and oily fish such as tuna,
sardines, salmon, herring, mackerel. Increasing intake of fruit and dark
green leafy vegetables, legumes and whole grains are very important as
well. This diet would be high in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, E, D, B6, B12
and folate. It is high in minerals such as Selenium and Calcium, as
well as Omega-3 fatty acids, which is known for its anti-inflammatory
properties. Following this would allow for better bone and joint
health.*
Excess weight or obesity
needs to be managed by seeing a qualified dietitian who is registered
with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), once
assessed nutritionally; the dietitian can determine the most appropriate
nutrition intervention and will be able to help with weight reduction
by giving evidence-based nutritional advice, emphasizing on returning to
healthier eating habits and following a well-balanced eating plan along
with encouraging physical activity.
Arthritis
medication that provides relief from pain and inflammation may cause
nutritional side effects such as weight gain, vitamin and mineral loss.
Therefore always discuss with your doctor before taking any medication.
This article was written by Salaamah Solomon, a HPCSA registered dietitian.
*References available on request.
salaamahsolomon@gmail.com
