Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the U.S.
And osteoarthritis—also called “wear-and-tear” arthritis—is the most common form of the disease.
More than 40% of people over 70 have it.[i]
Mainstream doctors use painkilling drugs as the first-line treatment. They often have side effects.
Or they recommend joint replacement surgery. It is invasive, painful, and requires a long recovery.
Researchers may have found a better way to relieve your aching joints.
Are Carbs Killing Your Joints?
Scientists at the University of Alabama examined 21 people 65 to 75 years old. All suffered from knee osteoarthritis.[ii]
The study divided the subjects into three groups. One followed a low-carbohydrate diet. The second followed a low-fat diet. The third ate as they normally would.
The researchers analyzed the patients’ pain levels every three weeks. They concentrated on “functional pain.” It’s discomfort associated with daily tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from chairs.
The researchers also looked at the subjects’ oxidative stress. This is the level of imbalance between damaging free radicals and the body’s defenses against them. Lower oxidative stress is associated with less pain.[iii]
The scientists discovered that when subjects were on a low-carb diet they had less pain and lower oxidative stress.
Dr. Robert Sorge was the study’s lead author. He said his team’s work shows that, when it comes to osteoarthritis, “people can reduce their pain with a change in diet.”
Eating fewer carbs is a “great way to reduce the use of pain relievers and improve general health,” he said.
The results back up an earlier animal study. It found that the more carbs mice ate, the more likely they were to develop osteoporosis.
And the type of carbs made a difference, too. Sugar caused more joint inflammation than other types of carbs.
Low-Carb Made Simple
Low-carb eating doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these simple rules…
DON’T consume:
- Sugary sodas
- Candy
- White bread
- Pasta
- Potatoes
- White rice
DO consume:
- Meats
- Poultry
- Eggs
- Leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach
- Tomatoes
- Broccoli
- Nuts
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Dairy
If you’re diabetic, taking medication for high blood pressure, or breastfeeding you should consult your doctor before changing to a low-carb diet.
If you’re like the people in the study, you’ll find that your joints start to feel a bit better after just three weeks of eating fewer carbs. After three months, your pain and quality of life should be significantly improved.
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References
[i] https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/arthritis-statistics-facts.php [ii] https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/pm/pnz022/5380130?redirectedFrom=fulltext [iii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10693912