by Kendra Songer

Created on: May 02, 2008

Arthritis causes pain and inflammation around joints, making it hard to get out of bed in the morning, much less participate in other daily activities that you used to enjoy. The CDC estimates that 46 million people suffer from arthritis in the United States alone. Tired of taking over the counter medicines many sufferers wonder if a change in their diet can help relieve symptoms. The answer to that is yes, and no, it depends on you.

The problem is that arthritis is a disease that comes and goes, so it can be a challenge to tell if the relief of your symptoms is due to a new remedy or if it's just a coincidence. Even the most effective treatments can have a different impact depending on the individual. Treatments vary from one person to the next and work differently for each person. Given all this uncertainty it's easy to give up or look for easy answers to get some relief. This makes arthritis sufferers prime targets for unproven remedies.

Does this mean there's no help for you? Certainly not. Many dietary changes can be effective for some people. The trick is being patient and finding what is right for you. There is a large school of thought on what foods contribute to arthritis and what to avoid.
Some common culprits are thought to be:

* Rhubarb or spinach-these vegetables contain oxalic acid which inhibits the body's ability to absorb calcium and iron.

* Citrus fruits-grapefruit, oranges, etc. are thought to contribute because of their acidity

* Nightshade vegetables-these include white potatoes, eggplant, peppers (except black pepper) and tomato. Be aware that some people tout this as a myth, and that even if you eliminate these from your diet it can take several months to see results.

* Food allergies-It is thought that some arthritis sufferers, may have food allergies which are causing the problem. Eliminating the culprit can lead to a reversal of symptoms. Studies have shown that sufferers of RA often have an allergy to gluten (found in wheat products) without knowing it. Other common food allergies may include corn or dairy.

* Sugar-it may not be necessary to eliminate all sugar, but studies have shown that processed sugar can weaken the immune system.

* Obesity-while this is not a food to avoid, it is considered a contributing factor in arthritis, so avoiding foods high in saturated fat or foods high in sugar can help lead to weight loss which will help with the pain.

* Red meat-red meat is higher in fat, but there are also numerous studies linking red meat to increased risk for arthritis as well as arthritis flare-ups.

* Soda-not only is soda extremely high in sugar (around 11 tsp. of sugar per can) but it is extremely acidic. The phosphoric acid in soda can inhibit the absorption of calcium. A 12 oz. Soda can rob the body of 100 mg. of calcium. So switching to diet drinks to avoid the sugar will not help since it still contains phosphoric acid.

* Caffeine-this may be an offender for some sufferers. It can also contribute to insomnia and loss of minerals in bone density.

Not only would it be impossible to eliminate all these foods at once, it's not recommended. The best advice is to eliminate one food or group of foods (such as dairy or citrus) for one month. During this time keep a food diary, making note of any change in your symptoms. If you find something that seems to trigger an attack or worsen symptoms then obviously it would be wise to avoid that food.

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