Text Resize

Q: I have arthritis, and I’ve heard that there are certain vegetables that can make my condition worse. Is that true? How could a vegetable be bad for me?

Gail P.

Dr. G: You’ve heard correctly.

Believe it or not, avoiding nightshade vegetables could be the answer to long-term arthritis pain relief.

In fact, I’ll go a step further and say that not only could avoiding nightshades reduce your pain, they could be the CAUSE of your pain.

And that means that cutting them out of your diet could ELIMINATE your pain altogether.

Sounds shocking, I know.

But in reality, what you’re identifying as a condition (arthritis) could in reality be a SYMPTOM a sensitivity to nightshades.

Nightshades vegetables include tomatoes, eggplant, red peppers, and potatoes.

I know it’s hard to imagine that a vegetable could be bad for you. (You may want to avoid mentioning this to the grandkids.) The problem with these particular foods is that they contain two compounds that are terrible for your joints.

The first is calcitriol. This is an important nutrient that tells our kidneys to absorb calcium from the diet. This is critical for bone mineral density.

But if there’s too much calcitriol, it can lead to an excess of calcium. The body then tries to get rid of it by dumping it in the soft tissues. Over time, this buildup leads to arthritis pain.

The second is solanine, which is actually a poison that the plant produces to defend against insects and disease. This poison can be extremely pro-inflammatory, which is an underlying factor in arthritis.

These sound like good reasons for ANYONE to avoid these veggies, and I certainly know numerous people who have decided to cut them out of their diet.

But if you’re suffering from arthritis pain, this is especially important for you.

I always advise my arthritis patients to try a trial diet that cuts out nightshades, and I have seen the dramatic benefits firsthand.

I also recommend cutting out gluten since it is highly inflammatory and seems to aggravate arthritis pain.

But not everyone notices a difference, which brings me to two important points.

  1. This approach isn’t one-size-fits-all. No treatment is. You have to investigate what foods are aggravating to you specifically, and create your own personalized diet based on your individual needs.
  2. You have to commit 100 percent to eliminating these foods from your diet. It’s the only way you’ll know for sure if cutting them out has an impact.

In the majority of cases, making a few simple dietary changes can directly impact the root cause of the pain.

And that’s what REAL medicine is all about.

Want me to answer your health question next? Email me at askdrg@naturalhealthresponse.com


Recent Articles:

Outsmart Dementia—No Matter Your DNA!

Outsmart Dementia—No Matter Your DNA!

February 20, 2025 – Gone are the days when we can blame our genes for our health problems. Sure, they play a role. But your lifestyle choices play an even bigger part in your disease risk. This is especially the case when it comes to dementia. Experts confirm lifestyle choices can send your dementia... Read More >

They Got It WRONG About This Heart-Healthy Food

They Got It WRONG About This Heart-Healthy Food

February 19, 2025 – You can either eat yourself into a heart attack—or eat your way to heart health, instead. The problem comes when the so-called “experts” get the two mixed up (which happens more often than you might imagine). Case in point: There’s a demonized food that they’ve warned you to avoid because... Read More >

4 NATURAL Flu Fighters

4 NATURAL Flu Fighters

February 18, 2025 – We’re smack dab in the middle of flu season—and it’s BAD this time. According to the CDC, this is the worst flu season we’ve seen in 15 years... with 24 million cases of the flu, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 flu-related deaths. Information like this should have you ready to take... Read More >

Skip This Vitamin—And Dementia Risk Jumps 50%

Skip This Vitamin—And Dementia Risk Jumps 50%

February 17, 2025 – Did you know your odds of getting dementia DOUBLE every five years after 65? The biggest risk factor is age, which you (unfortunately) can’t do anything about. But scientists recently highlighted another one that raises your dementia risk by 50 percent. However, this is one dementia risk factor you CAN... Read More >

Turn Back Your Biological Clock

Turn Back Your Biological Clock

February 15, 2025 – I don’t believe in the fountain of youth. But I do believe there are steps you can take to help look and feel younger. . I also believe it’s never too late to start—and a recent study agrees with me. It highlights three critical factors that could help you live... Read More >

Naturally Slash Nighttime Bathroom Trips

Naturally Slash Nighttime Bathroom Trips

February 14, 2025 – If you practically wear a hole in the rug running back and forth to the bathroom at night—you’re in good company. Incredibly, more than HALF of American seniors battle nighttime urination, officially known as nocturia. Nocturia disrupts sleep and can significantly affects your quality of life. However, recent research suggests... Read More >

Battling Bowel Issues? Skip THIS Supplement

Battling Bowel Issues? Skip THIS Supplement

February 13, 2025 – I’m not opposed to supplements. The right ones, taken at the right time, can fill critical gaps in diet or lifestyle. And they can support your health. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you might think melatonin supplements fit this description. After all, they’re better than taking the prescription sleep aid... Read More >

3 VITAL Warning Signs from Your Body

3 VITAL Warning Signs from Your Body

February 12, 2025 – Your body is always talking to you. The question is, are you listening? Too often, its warning signs are either ignored, dismissed as a normal part of aging, or addressed with prescription drugs. Newsflash: NONE of these options will get to the root cause of what your body is telling... Read More >

“31% Solution” Adds YEARS to Your Life

“31% Solution” Adds YEARS to Your Life

February 11, 2025 – Let’s be honest. Once we reach a certain age, we’re pretty set in our ways. So, when you hear about something that can help you live longer or reduce your risk of disease, you might dismiss it outright. Or, you might wonder if making changes at your age really makes... Read More >

3 MORE Reasons to Love Vitamin D

3 MORE Reasons to Love Vitamin D

February 10, 2025 – I’m a BIG vitamin D fan. Having adequate levels of this potent hormone is essential for a long, healthy life. Not a week goes by that we don’t get at least one new study revealing yet another reason why vitamin D is essential for your health. Just this past week... Read More >

Dr. Gerhauser

Meet Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.

For over 40 years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.

And now… he’s making his most effective medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.

Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in natural approaches to health and integrative medicine today...

Learn More About Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. >

How often do you eat eggs?

Did you know it does THIS to senior brains?

-Emily

Are you taking one of these 9 "memory erasing" prescriptions?

You may think your memory loss is just a sign of getting older, but one of these 9 drugs could actually be damaging your brain…

These 9 prescription drugs have now been linked to Alzheimer's disease diagnoses.

If you're over the age of 60, and you're taking even 1 of these 9 drugs, your brain could be at risk.

Click here to learn more.

Why Wasn’t This Reported on the News?

Scientists decided to see if they could rewind aging in 100-year-olds.

They gave a daily ½ teaspoon supply of a specific substance to 100-year-olds, to see if it would transform their bodies younger.

You’ll be FLOORED by what happened… Click here to see the result.

Bottom line?

Everyone over the age of 65 needs to know about this.

Discover why by clicking here.

This substance enhanced their cognitive function 25%… Increased their mental energy… Physical energy… And even gained muscle mass and lost fat.

We now know what this substance is and we reveal its identity right here.

Welcome to the new and improved Natural Health Response!

We’ve updated the website to make it easier to find the groundbreaking health insights you love. Want a quick tour? Click below to opt in or out of a short navigation tutorial!