Joint pain is a common health problem that can affect people of all ages. This condition can vary in severity, and the pain can be acute or chronic.
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The two main causes of joint pain are arthritis and gout. However, it can also result from muscle strains, dislocated or broken bones, lupus, bursitis, fibromyalgia, and leukemia.
Nevertheless, this condition can be managed with proper medication, regular exercising, alternative medicine, as well as a healthy diet.
While some anti-inflammatory foods, such as turmeric, ginger, and garlic, can help you to relieve the joint pain, certain foods can be responsible for increasing the pain.
Here are 5 foods that you should avoid if you suffer from joint pain.
Dairy Products
The dairy products contain a high level of casein, a protein that intensifies the pain and inflammation. Recently, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has published a report claiming that this protein can irritate the tissue around the joints.
Also, the saturated fats contained in some dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and butter, can increase the joint pain.
In case you suffer from any type of chronic pain, you should avoid consuming pasteurized milk. Instead, you may use soy or almond milk, tofu, and margarine.
Refined Salt
If you are dealing with joint pain, you shouldn’t consume refined salt. This salt doesn’t contain any natural minerals, such as silicon and phosphorus, which are necessary for your body to function properly.
The intake of refined salt can promote a loss of calcium from the bones, and it can increase the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. Instead of consuming refined salt, you should switch to sea salt or pink Himalayan salt.
Refined Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners
An excessive consumption of sugar can cause inflammation. The sugar stimulates the release of strong inflammatory agents, called cytokines.
Also, a high intake of sugar commonly leads to weight gain, which will add more pressure to your joints. If you are dealing with joint pain, you should also avoid consuming soft drinks.
A 2014 study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found out that the soft drinks increase rheumatoid arthritis in women.
In order to relieve the joint pain, you should substitute the refined sugar and artificial sweeteners with natural sources of sugar, such as honey, stevia, and blackstrap molasses.
Egg Yolks
A regular consumption of egg yolks can intensify the pain and swelling in the joints. Due to their high content of arachidonic acid, the egg yolks produce prostaglandins, inflammatory agents.
They also contain saturated fat which can trigger an increase of the inflammation. If you suffer from joint pain, you should remove the egg yolks and consume only the whites.
Processed and Red Meat
Processed and red meats contain chemicals, such as nitrites and purines, which are responsible for increasing the inflammation and pain in your body.
The processed foods are also packed with toxins, known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which cause inflammation.
A 2014 study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, discovered that the red meat-derived glycan encourages the development of inflammation and cancer progression.
Therefore, you should replace the processed and red meat with foods rich in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.