Nutrition & Supplements

Cleveland Clinic, along with other healthcare institutions, has put new practices and policies into place to deal with the opioid epidemic. We spoke with Lisa Yerian, MD, Medical Director of Continuous Improvement at Cleveland Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic psychiatrist Mohsen Vazirian, MD, about the problem and the response. In this and future issues of Arthritis Advisor we will continue the discussion.

With all the attention being paid to the problem of opioid abuse, you might hesitate to take these medications for any reason, fearing you might become addicted. While drug abuse is a serious problem, not everyone who takes opioids becomes addicted.

Are you eating enough fish? Youve probably heard the recommendation to eat fish at least two to three times a week to get omega-3 fatty acids. Not only are omega-3 fatty acids good for you, they are essential. And there are other sources besides fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential because the body needs them to function properly but cant make them. They must come from food. Omega-3 fatty acids have a role in brain function, growth and development, inflammation and heart health.

Osteoarthritis may seem like something we have to put up with as we age. It may not be possible to completely stop the underlying cause of osteoarthritis, but that does not mean theres nothing you can do. Both calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health. The body needs calcium for other functions as well, including those involving muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and the release of hormones and enzymes.

I just had my first gout attack. Do I need to take chronic medication to prevent the next attack? I would like to avoid the next one. It was painful. When I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis my doctor gave me methotrexate and a 10-mg dose of prednisone. Since then the prednisone was reduced to 5 mg. Should I be worried about any effect on my bones?

Our bodies, including our joints, function best when we eat whole nourishing foods, says Roxanne B. Sukol, MD, MS, in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Cleveland Clinics Wellness Institute. A diet that will help maintain a healthy weight and wont promote inflammation includes vegetables, beans, fruits and whole grains, but also fish, meat and dairy.

The colder months are here for many of us, and the time of plentiful fresh, local produce in farmers markets is behind us for now. But foods more readily available in the winter months can still pack a healthful, anti-inflammatory punch.

There is not one specific rheumatoid arthritis diet. Nonetheless, what you eat does matter. People with rheumatoid arthritis should eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, says Cleveland Clinic dietitian Mira Ilic, MS, RD, LD. They may want to model their diet after the Mediterranean way of eating.

Low-carbohydrate diets have attracted a lot of attention among people trying to lose weight. This includes people with arthritis who are overweight or obese and suffer added pain in their hips, knees and other joints from carrying excess weight.

The cost of prescription drugs in the United States is steadily rising, and some medications are particularly expensive. While many people with chronic health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus or osteoporosis can start treatment with affordable drugs, the price tag can increase dramatically once they need a more sophisticated medication.

For years, calcium supplementation was routinely recommended. Then, along came studies showing that taking calcium supplements may increase risk for heart disease. This was followed by other studies that did not show such a link. But this has created concern among people with low bone mass who are often counseled to take calcium supplements.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, which can worsen over time. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms. The most effective treatment is weight loss if you are above ideal weight, says Dr. Day. Physical therapy, exercise and knee braces can help. Other options are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen (Tylenol), supplements, and injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid.