I'm new here - any arthritis/diet tips?

Hi - I am doing all I can to manage arthritis (knee) through dietary changes and exercise etc - all and any tips will be appreciated. I've had some initial success by eliminating some foods and upping others so am feeling a bit optimistic as I've experienced some pain reduction.

[Loves2walk]

Hi Lorcal....

I have managed osteoarthritis in my neck with massage therapy and chiropractic care. I haven't done any research on diet, other than we try to eat as healthy as possible.

What kind of changes have you made with your diet? I'm game to try anything, and if diet can help, I'm in!

[Hidden in reply to Loves2walk]

Hi. I'm trying to adopt an anti inflammatory diet which means excluding some surprising foods (eg, tomatoes, white potatoes, aubergines, peppers) most of which I liked and are clearly healthy but not recommended for OA. I'm not sure this approach has helped with stiffness but my initial feeling is it is helping with pain and that's my priority. Good luck.

[andyswarbs]

I run a blog foodandarthritis.blogspot.co.uk which might give you some ideas. I try and add a post most days.

[Hidden in reply to andyswarbs]

Thanks really helpful.

[Hidden]

Hi, I've just been recommended to try Turmeric capsules ( you can get them from Holland and Barratt). I've been taking them for about a month now and have found a big reduction in pain regarding my OA in my hips. Apparently it has anti-inflammatory properties, and so far I feel its working better than the Naproxen that I'm still taking. Worth a try maybe?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much. I'd recently read the same and bought a stash from H&B but have only just started taking them so haven't had time to assess any effect. It's good to hear a positive result.

[Zohra in reply to Hidden]

I have tried turmeric too, just powdered. helped a great deal.

[Myleen26 in reply to Hidden]

Yes Turmeric does help but you have to check the dosage. I have found ginger capsules and a few others do help to reduce inflammation. If I do have a flare-up I have one steroid injection. Which can last for 6 months.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Fresh ground tumeric is cheaper and a little more effective, look on e bay. Not easy to injest however you need about half a tsp per day, mix it with other foods also Google tumeric golden milk. Good luck

[Seenie]

Hi, Lorcal! What kind of arthritis are you dealing with -- osteo, rheumatoid, psoriatic -- ?

[Hidden in reply to Seenie]

Hi - OA in both knees - first left then right and switched on almost to the day I turned 60 three years ago, worsening when I retired last year so seeming to scupper travel/hiking plans for free time! Medics dismissive and me fervently anti surgery so have spent the last year observing and researching. For me improved mood, food and exercise correlates positively with reduced pain so I'm on a mission now. I've been depressed (transitional stuff, age, losing parents, work identity etc) and that seems to make it worse and then it, too, depresses me so unpicking that is a challenge. Happy to support others and offer support.

[emsbank in reply to Seenie]

I have just found out I have Psoriatic only taken 3 years to find out was told in the beginning it was just general wear and tear at aged 50 then.

[flow4]

That's not "NRAS info" Kai, it's *yours*

The NRAS info is here: nras.org.uk/what-diet-to-re... and here: nras.org.uk/diet-rheumatoid...

However, RA is an inflammatory auto-immune disease, whereas OA is a degenerative condition where bone damage is caused by wear and tear. There's no reason to think the same dietary advice would help both conditions, except of course saying "eat healthily".

There is some info about OA and diet here: arthritisresearchuk.org/art...

There's not much evidence that any particular supplements or diet changes make a difference, but medical research into diet is very hard to do, and results are unreliable, because (as most of us know!) people often don't stick to diets! Personally, I have found giving up processed/refined sugar helpful - I have lost weight and it seems to have lowered my inflammation levels - but other people tell me they could never manage it... The most important advice (and there IS evidence for this) is to keep your weight down, because being overweight puts extra pressure on joints, and to eat a healthy 'Mediterranean' type diet with plenty of fresh fruit and veg. As you e discovered, exercise also helps a lot. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to flow4]

Thank you. I agree with all you've said here.

[pennyarcade]

I am quite new to O.A. also, already I am fustrated, my first plan of action is to lose weight, I will feel lighter, and hopefully better.