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Research has shown several connections between food, nutritional supplements (vitamins,
minerals and omega-3 fatty acids) and certain
forms of arthritis or related conditions, such as
gout (GOWT), osteoporosis (ah-stee-oh-poRO-sis), osteoarthritis (ah-stee-oh-ar-THRYtis), rheumatoid arthritis (ROO-ma-toyd arTHRY-tis), or RA, and reactive arthritis.
PURINES AND GOUT
2003. Arthritis Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA. All rights reserved. For individual use only. Material in this
publication may not be reprinted without permission. Send requests for reprint permissions in writing to
1330 W. Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309. For more information about arthritis, call 800/283-7800.
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P R A C T I C A L H E L P F R O M T H E A R T H R I T I S F O U N D AT I O N
To help this process and to prevent osteoporosis, you need 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams (mg) of
calcium a day, especially if you are a woman
under 30. If you are taking glucocorticoids, you
should take 1,500 mg of calcium per day. Talk to
your doctor.
Although calcium alone wont stop osteoporosis once you have it, calcium may slow bone loss
or reduce the effects of the disease. Many doctors
advise their patients, particularly female patients,
to take calcium supplements in addition to
including dairy products in their diets.
Vitamin D also is important in building
and maintaining strong bones because it
helps your body to absorb calcium from food.
Vitamin D comes from sunlight as well as food
like fortified dairy products, such as milk.
The recommended daily intake of vitamin D
is 400 international units (IU) per day. After
age 55, the recommended daily intake is 800
IU per day.
Alcohol intake can weaken bones. Consuming
more than two alcoholic drinks a day increases
your chances for thinning bones, leading to
osteoporosis. One alcoholic drink is equal to 12
ounces of beer, five ounces of wine or one-anda-half ounces of liquor.
GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTIONS (FOOD
POISONING) AND REACTIVE ARTHRITIS
2003. Arthritis Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA. All rights reserved. For individual use only. Material in this
publication may not be reprinted without permission. Send requests for reprint permissions in writing to
1330 W. Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309. For more information about arthritis, call 800/283-7800.
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P R A C T I C A L H E L P F R O M T H E A R T H R I T I S F O U N D AT I O N
Pain and stiffness in certain joints characterize osteoarthritis, a disease that causes the cartilage (CAR-ti-lij) that cushions the bones in
joints to break down. Osteoarthritis is more
common in people who are overweight. If you
are overweight you are at greater risk for developing osteoarthritis in the weight-bearing
joints, such as the knees and hips. Therefore, it
is especially important to maintain your
recommended weight by eating a healthy diet
and exercising regularly.
What if youre already overweight? Research
shows that middle-aged and older women of
average height who lose 11 pounds or more
over a period of 10 years cut their risk in half
for developing osteoarthritis of the knee. An
11-pound weight loss can reduce the pain of
knee OA. It also can decrease blood pressure
and lower your blood sugar if you have high
blood pressure or diabetes.
Evidence suggests that low levels of vitamins
C and D may put you at risk for OA of the knee
and hip. These low levels also may make the
damage from OA progress more quickly. Talk to
your physician about ways to enhance vitamins
C and D intake and to maintain proper weight.
FOOD ALLERGIES AND REACTIONS
Other factors in the diet, however, may actually have positive effects on the bodys immune
system. For example, several researchers have
observed that short periods of fasting, as well as
following a diet low in calories, fat and protein,
may reduce some symptoms of RA in humans,
or lupus in animals. Both RA and lupus are
autoimmune diseases brought about by an
overzealous immune response. This inappropriate response may be inhibited during fasting;
however, prolonged fasting to minimize disease
symptoms is not recommended.
But the dangers of fasting far outweigh its
benefits. Fasting without medical supervision is
dangerous for anyone, but especially for people
with arthritis. Fasting can cause a loss of muscle. Since people with inflammatory diseases
like RA often have low muscle mass to begin
with, fasting may be especially dangerous.
A vegetarian diet that incorporates sufficient
nutrients from the fruit and vegetable, dairy
and meat food groups (see illustration of the
Food Guide Pyramid on page 8) can be healthy
for anyone. Check with your physician and a
dietitian before you begin a strict vegetarian
diet to make sure you are not missing out on
any of the essential nutrients.
FISH OILS/PLANT OILS
2003. Arthritis Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA. All rights reserved. For individual use only. Material in this
publication may not be reprinted without permission. Send requests for reprint permissions in writing to
1330 W. Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309. For more information about arthritis, call 800/283-7800.
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P R A C T I C A L H E L P F R O M T H E A R T H R I T I S F O U N D AT I O N
2003. Arthritis Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA. All rights reserved. For individual use only. Material in this
publication may not be reprinted without permission. Send requests for reprint permissions in writing to
1330 W. Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309. For more information about arthritis, call 800/283-7800.
Page 4 of 10
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P R A C T I C A L H E L P F R O M T H E A R T H R I T I S F O U N D AT I O N
think something in your diet makes your arthritis better or worse, talk to your doctor and a dietitian. Continue your regular medical care for
arthritis even if you decide to try a diet change.
Talk to your physician about how the medications you take affect your nutritional status
and whether a vitamin supplement may be useful for you.
2003. Arthritis Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA. All rights reserved. For individual use only. Material in this
publication may not be reprinted without permission. Send requests for reprint permissions in writing to
1330 W. Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309. For more information about arthritis, call 800/283-7800.
Page 5 of 10
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P R A C T I C A L H E L P F R O M T H E A R T H R I T I S F O U N D AT I O N
2003. Arthritis Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA. All rights reserved. For individual use only. Material in this
publication may not be reprinted without permission. Send requests for reprint permissions in writing to
1330 W. Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309. For more information about arthritis, call 800/283-7800.
Page 6 of 10
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P R A C T I C A L H E L P F R O M T H E A R T H R I T I S F O U N D AT I O N
Lima Beans
Whole-Grain
Breads
Potatoes
Popcorn
Corn
Beans
Peas
Pasta
Rice
Breads
Vegetables
Fruits
Pasta
Cereals
Examples of starch foods
2003. Arthritis Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA. All rights reserved. For individual use only. Material in this
publication may not be reprinted without permission. Send requests for reprint permissions in writing to
1330 W. Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309. For more information about arthritis, call 800/283-7800.
Page 7 of 10
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P R A C T I C A L H E L P F R O M T H E A R T H R I T I S F O U N D AT I O N
Dairy
Vegetables
Fruits
Breads
& grains
The Food Labeling Act also set new guidelines for health claims a food manufacturer can
make. Claims like fat-free, cholesterol-free,
low-sodium and others are now defined by
government standards. The list on the next
page defines these and other claims:
Fat-free: A food that has less than 0.5 grams
of fat per serving, with no added fat or oil
Low-fat: 3 grams of fat per serving
Less fat: 25 percent or less fat than the comparison food
Saturated fat-free: Less than 0.5 grams of
saturated fat and 0.5 grams of trans-fatty
acids per serving
2003. Arthritis Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA. All rights reserved. For individual use only. Material in this
publication may not be reprinted without permission. Send requests for reprint permissions in writing to
1330 W. Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309. For more information about arthritis, call 800/283-7800.
Page 8 of 10
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800-283-7800
P R A C T I C A L H E L P F R O M T H E A R T H R I T I S F O U N D AT I O N
IN SUMMARY
2003. Arthritis Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA. All rights reserved. For individual use only. Material in this
publication may not be reprinted without permission. Send requests for reprint permissions in writing to
1330 W. Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309. For more information about arthritis, call 800/283-7800.
Page 9 of 10
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P R A C T I C A L H E L P F R O M T H E A R T H R I T I S F O U N D AT I O N
For more information: The Arthritis Foundation offers a wide variety of books, brochures and videos about different forms of arthritis, treatment and self-management techniques to help you take control of your arthritis.
To order any of these products, become an Arthritis Foundation member or to subscribe to the Arthritis
Foundation's award-winning consumer health magazine, Arthritis Today, call (800) 283-7800. Call or visit our
Web site (www.arthritis.org) to find out how you can take control of your arthritis and start living better today!
This brochure has been reviewed by the
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY.
MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the Arthritis Foundation
is to improve lives through leadership
in the prevention, control and cure
of arthritis and related diseases.
2003. Arthritis Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA. All rights reserved. For individual use only. Material in this
publication may not be reprinted without permission. Send requests for reprint permissions in writing to
1330 W. Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30309. For more information about arthritis, call 800/283-7800.
Page 10 of 10
www.arthritis.org
800-283-7800