Psoriatic arthritis: Three foods that could improve inflammation and alleviate symptoms

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Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that typically affects people suffering from psoriasis – a condition that features red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. Although there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, diet can play an important role in managing inflammation, thereby preventing painful flare-ups. While some foods can alleviate symptoms, others can significantly worsen signs of the chronic disease.

In psoriatic arthritis, the joints affected may become tender, swollen and stiff, with symptoms usually worse first thing in the morning.

The Psoriasis Association has outlined some common symptoms of the condition:
Swollen sausage-like fingers
Tenderness, pain and swelling over tendons
Nail changes (holes or pits on the surface of the nail)
Reduced range of movements
General tiredness

Lisa Young, professor of nutritional at New York University, said : “Focussing on eating whole unprocessed foods and limiting the amount of processed foods or refined foods you eat is the best approach.

“There are certainly some diet principles that help all patients, but you have to find one that is practical and sustainable. This, along with conventional medications and treatments can go a long way in controlling symptoms.”

Here are some foods that can help alleviate symptoms of the condition:

Anti-inflammatory omega-3s

Anti-inflammatory foods play a crucial role in reducing painful flare-ups caused by psoriatic arthritis.

Some studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids can decrease disease activity, joint tenderness and joint redness.

Foods rich in omega-3s include fatty fish – such as herring, mackerel and salmon – hemp seeds, seaweed, flaxseed oil and edamame.

High-antioxidant fruits and vegetables

A 2018 study found that many people with arthritis have a low antioxidant status, suggesting a lack of antioxidants was linked with increased disease activity and disease duration.

Antioxidants are compounds that reduce the harmful oxidative stress from chronic inflammation.

The best food sources for antioxidants include dark berries, leafy greens, nuts, dried ground spices and dark chocolate.

Whole grains

Research has found there’s a link between obesity, insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, making it important for people with psoriatic arthritic to manage their weight and blood sugar.

Whole grains contain fibre and nutrients which are digested slowly, helping prevent insulin spikes and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Foods rich in wholegrain include whole wheat, corn, whole oats, quinoa, brown and wild rice.

What to avoid

Processed meat:

Processed meats contain saturated fats which are known to aggravate inflammation.

Studies have shown that diets heavy in processed and red meats demonstrate high levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and homocysteine.

Gluten-containing foods

Some research has linked gluten to increased inflammation and suggests that going gluten-free may ease arthritis symptoms.

Gluten can be found in bread products, baked goods, pasta, as well as in less obvious ingredients including salad dressings, sauces and seasoning mixes.

Dairy

Some studies have found that those who have psoriatic arthritis may have an intolerance to milk products because they’re deficient in the enzyme needed to digest them.

The worst culprit is milk, which may contain hormones and antibiotics that can affect the body’s immune response.

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