Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms are joint pain and stiffness which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A plant-based diet has been shown to significantly reduce inflammation and can be very helpful in the case of arthritis. A 2015 study found that a whole-food, plant-based diet significantly reduced osteoarthritis pain in just two weeks and significant increased energy and physical functioning after 6 weeks!
What Happens In Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis causes cartilage — the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint — to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that first targets the lining of joints (synovium).
Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your signs and symptoms may include: pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, decreased range of motion.
Risk Factors For Arthritis Include:
Age:
The risk of many types of arthritis — including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout — increases with age.
Your Sex:
Women are more likely than are men to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while most of the people who have gout, another type of arthritis, are men.
Previous Joint Injury:
People who have injured a joint, perhaps while playing a sport, are more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that joint.
Family History:
Some types of arthritis run in families, so you may be more likely to develop arthritis if your parents or siblings have the disorder. Your genes can make you more susceptible to environmental factors that may trigger arthritis.
Obesity:
Carrying excess pounds puts stress on joints, particularly your knees, hips and spine. Obese people have a higher risk of developing arthritis.
Effects of Plant-Based Diets on Arthritis
Findings published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases shows a high fibre diet can reduce arthritis by up to 61%. Researchers contribute the reduced risk to the ability of fibre to lower both BMI and inflammatory compounds in the blood. A plant-based diet eliminates many of the highly inflammatory foods such as meat, dairy and eggs. Low-fat diets have also been found in a study to be helpful for reducing arthritis pains. A 2015 study also found that a whole-food, plant-based diet significantly reduced osteoarthritis pain in just two weeks. And significant energy increase and better physical functioning after 6 weeks!
Don’t delay if you are having arthritis issues, start transitioning to a whole foods plant-based diet!
