Nutrition & Supplements

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.

Ive been diagnosed with reactive arthritis. Is this a chronic condition or will it go away? Ive been taking Aleve for my knee arthritis for several months. My doctor didnt prescribe it. Should I be concerned about taking it long term?

A better weight loss plan would take away the craving. Thats the potential of an intermittent fasting diet. Intermittent fasting does not mean completely going without food. This is not a starvation diet, says Kirkpatrick. The idea is to strategically time eating so you cycle through periods of normal eating and ingesting no or minimal calories.

When your back or neck aches, you may reach for pain relieving medications. While they can help, experts suggest trying nondrug treatments first. For both short-term and longstanding low back pain, for example, the recently updated guidelines by the American College of Physicians recommend starting with therapies such as heat, massage, exercise and spinal manipulation.

Women who eat a healthy diet appear to have a lower chance of getting rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study published in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (January 2017). People with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis face a higher risk than the general population for bone fractures. After joint replacement surgery, some people are sent from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility for a short stay.

Treating the pain and functional limitations of joint conditions like arthritis and back aches requires a multipronged approach. This may include exercise, weight loss, pain medications and other approaches. Many people turn to supplements for added pain relief. Should you?

Many people mistakenly believe that gout is caused by overindulging in rich foods. But this is not true. What you eat and drink doesnt cause gout. But people with gout do need to pay attention to their diet and lifestyle, both to prevent flare-ups and for general good health.