Diet and Arthritis.
Last updated Thursday, July 06, 2006
Starch, fiber, sodium, and alcoholStarch and fiber
Foods high in starch and fiber help give you energy and keep your
bowels regular. Most of these foods are also low in fat. They help keep
your weight down while giving you the vitamins and minerals your body
needs. And they taste good, so they can tempt your appetite. They also
are helpful if you are having problems with diarrhea or constipation.
Some drugs for arthritis can cause these problems.
Starchy foods are high in carbohydrates, which help supply
your body's energy needs. If you cut down on fats and sugars in your
diet, you need to increase the amount of starchy foods you eat to give
your body another source of fuel for energy. Starchy foods can also
supply bulk, which can help if you sometimes have diarrhea. You may
have some diarrhea when you first start taking some arthritis drugs,
such as oral gold or some nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.
If diarrhea continues while you are on a drug, it is important to tell
your doctor. You may be able to switch to another medication.
Fiber helps avoid constipation and keeps you regular. It
comes from the parts of plants which your body cannot digest. Some
types of fiber result in softer stools and more rapid elimination of
waste. These foods can help you avoid constipation. Fruits and
vegetables are foods high in fiber.
Sodium
Many older adults with arthritis also have to watch how much sodium
(salt) they eat because they have high blood pressure. While some
frozen and fast foods are convenient, they may also be high in sodium.
Some arthritis drugs, such as corticosteroids,
also may cause the body to keep too much sodium. Sodium causes your
body to retain water, which can affect your blood pressure. Your doctor
may recommend a low sodium diet to help with this problem. Some foods
now come with low or no salt choices.
Alcohol
Alcohol can affect how well arthritis drugs work. It can weaken your
bones. And it also adds pounds, since alcohol puts extra sugar in your
diet.
Drinking alcohol does not mix with certain drugs for arthritis. Stomach problems are more likely if you drink alcohol and take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
or aspirin. Large amounts of alcohol combined with acetaminophen can
damage the liver. Drinking too much alcohol with anti-gout medications
may make stomach problems more likely. It may also increase uric acid
in the blood, thus lessening the effects of the medication. If you are
taking any medications for arthritis, check with your doctor about
using alcohol.
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