Hidden Trigger for Painful Knees EXPOSED
Joint inflammation is the underlying cause of the cartilage loss and knee pain you see with osteoarthritis (OA).
You’ve likely been told that this painful process is triggered by joint wear and tear.
After all, it’s the standard explanation for the condition.
But there’s MORE to the story…
Many factors can drive the underlying inflammation contributing to OA—INCLUDING your diet.
Researchers followed 1,099 volunteers to identify any connection between dietary inflammation index scores and the severity of knee pain.
After 10 years, higher dietary inflammation index scores (indicating a pro-inflammatory diet) were associated with significantly MORE pain and a greater risk of a severe pain trajectory.
The study didn’t examine whether following an anti-inflammatory diet could protect against developing knee pain or knee pain worsening.
But that’s okay because earlier studies have already looked into that link.
Research reveals that foods that reduce systemic inflammation ALSO ease the chronic pain of knee osteoarthritis.
The best way to reduce dietary inflammation is to cut out…
- sugar,
- refined carbs,
- and processed food.
But don’t stop there.
To combat inflammation, eat more foods high in omega-3s (salmon, nuts), vitamin D (eggs, salmon, cod liver oil), and plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
P.S. Battling knee pain? Before you agree to go under the knife, READ THIS.
SOURCE:
Ma C, Searle D, Tian J, et al. Dietary inflammatory index and MRI-detected knee structural change and pain: a 10.7-year follow-up study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published online January 29, 2024. doi:10.1002/acr.25307
