Diet and Arthritis.
Last updated Thursday, July 06, 2006
Unproven diet claimsHow can a person with arthritis decide when a diet for arthritis is safe and healthy? Some people claim that special diets, foods or supplements cause or cure arthritis.
These claims usually appear in magazine articles, books and on talk
shows. Most claims for such diets have not been scientifically tested
to prove that they work and are safe.
Some claims for special diets for arthritis are health
frauds. There is no scientific basis for the claims. Other findings,
like those described earlier in the section on research, are still
under study. Still other claims have never been studied. All diets are
considered unproven until repeated studies show they work and are safe.
When you hear about diet claims in the treatment of arthritis, ask the following questions:
- Does the diet eliminate any group of foods?
- Does it stress only a few foods or eliminate others?
If you can answer yes to either question, you are probably looking at an unproven diet.
If a person with arthritis decides to change their diet, what should they do? Most claims for special diets that help arthritis are unproven. But
surveys show that many people believe that diet is linked to arthritis
and try changes in their diets anyway. If you think something in your
diet makes your arthritis either better or worse, talk with your
doctor. And continue your regular medical care for arthritis even if
you decide to try a diet change.
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