Revolutionary arthritis diet: Find out which foods are secret key to stopping joint pain

THE agony of arthritis could become a thing of the past with just a simple change in diet, scientists believe.

 

Simple changes to diets could be key to beating arthritis

 

Experts now think bacteria found in the gut and mouth can affect the immune system, causing a host of crippling inflammatory conditions.

The ground-breaking British-led research will now investigate the link in the hope of finding life changing dietary therapies in five years.

The multi-million pound study will analyse trillions of gut microbes in the hope that diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can be tackled by treating its causes rather than its symptoms.

Arthritis Research UK has already contributed £2million towards the landmark project.

Scientists are confident it could lead to the development of preventative medicines or methods of treatment, which could be as straightforward as changing the way we eat.

Previous studies have shown the possibility of arthritis pain relief in foods such as fish, nuts, vegetables and spices.

Tinned sardines, Brazil nuts, mushrooms, cherries, tumeric, ginger, broccoli, kale and garlic all possess potent properties that help keep the condition at bay.

Oleocanthal, a molecule found in extra virgin olive oil, has similar antiinflammatory properties to ibuprofen.

 

Experts now think bacteria found in the gut and mouth can affect the immune system

 

This knowledge is essential if we are to develop new treatments

Dr Stephen Simpson

Together with fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and oily fish it has been considered a key part of the “cureall” Mediterranean diet for centuries.

And studies have shown that those who eat a Greek diet have a significantly lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis compared to those who gorge on high-fat sugary foods.

Professor Fiona Powrie, director of the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology in Oxford, said: “The point is to understand whether there is a link between gut bacteria, rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis. If so, it may be possible to change the bacteria that live in our intestines by dietary intervention.”

It is hoped the research may one day end the need for sufferers to down a daily cocktail of drugs. John Rowland, 70, from Middleton in Warwickshire, said: “I have lived with the pain of rheumatoid arthritis for 20 years.

 

Arthritis affects more than 10million people in the UK

 

Eating healthy food could help sufferers beat the agony

 

“If research into this area could lead to a preventative treatment, my life would be transformed.”

Dr Stephen Simpson, of Arthritis Research UK, said: “This knowledge is absolutely essential if we are to develop new treatments that could one day revolutionise the way we prevent and treat painful and debilitating conditions.”

Arthritis, affecting 10million people in the UK, is caused when cartilage between bones erodes and joints rub together.

Around 600,000 people live with rheumatoid arthritis, for which there is no cure.

It is caused when the immune system malfunctions and attacks cells, making joints stiff and painful.

The common “wear and tear” condition blights mainly, but not exclusively, the elderly.