According to Arthritis Care Northern Ireland
nearly 230,000 people live there with the debilitating disease. Osteoarthritis
(OA) is the most common form, followed by rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
As the drugs used to treat arthritis often work through action on the
immune system or reduction of inflammation, the role for diet in arthritis is
targeted at these functions also. Unfortunately some medications can come with
negative side-effects. Nutritional interventions, although perhaps not as
consistent and sometimes not as effective as medications, will more often than
not help with a condition, without consequences to health.
Additionally tailored dietary intervention will offer other health
benefits alongside its expected therapeutic aid. This is why many people use
dietary manipulation - alongside medications or in some incidences instead of
medications - when tackling a health complaint.
A dietitian's role goes beyond treatment and prevention of arthritis. A
dietitian must also help combat the side effects caused by the medications such
as taste changes, mouth sores, abdominal pain, ulcers, loss of appetite,
nausea, thinning of the bones, weight loss and weight gain.
In addition to nutrition-related side effects of the medications,
dietitians also help with drug-nutrient interactions. For example certain
medications interact with folic acid, calcium and potassium within the body.
Related: Managing Pain While Avoiding Opiod Abuse
Related: Managing Pain While Avoiding Opiod Abuse
Osteoarthritis
When it comes to osteoarthritis (OA), obesity is a strong risk factor.
Obesity is the greatest modifiable risk factor for OA. People with a BMI>30
kg/m2 are nearly seven times more likely to develop knee OA than people with a
healthy weight. The reason for this is twofold.
