Many people who suffer from arthritis look into a specific arthritis diet to help relieve some of their symptoms. Despite the many books, magazine articles, and other published data, there is no evidence that there is an arthritis diet that works for every person that suffers from any type of arthritis. Arthritis is a complicated disease, and when it comes to how diet affects most types, there isn't any clear evidence to support that and arthritis diet is a direct influence on most types of arthritis.Of course, there are exceptions to the arthritis diet, such as gout. Those who suffer from gout actually find that eating an abundance of red meat, shellfish, or even alcohol will bring on many bad bouts of gout. So, in these situations, it's best for those with the rare form of arthritis to stay away from the foods that have been proven to cause flare ups, and a particular arthritis diet may be beneficial. There are a few other types of arthritis diets that may correspond with flare ups, but other than gout there doesn't seem to be substantial findings to prove this. An arthritis diet is really something that each person needs to create for him or herself, based on what makes their symptoms worsen.

People's Dietary Needs Differ

Overall, there just isn't an arthritis diet that applies to everyone. As nice as it would be to fix these painful diseases, diet is not the answer, at least not yet. There is always ongoing research, so it's possible that someday we'll find that there is a link between diet and arthritis and doctors can come up with an arthritis diet that will help reduce the pain, or perhaps even prevent arthritis from starting in the first place. There is hope for an arthritis diet, but for now it's something that needs to be on an individual basis.Even though there is not an arthritis diet that one can follow to prevent or reduce the symptoms of their arthritis in most cases, there is a correlation between the ways one eats and how much they may suffer from arthritis. Eating healthy, and living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the affects of arthritis. Because so many people who suffer from the disease are also obese, this just compounds the issue. When someone doesn't eat healthily, they likely carry excess weight. When there is excess weight put on arthritic bones and joints, the issues are obvious. For most who suffer, an arthritis diet is simply one that is balanced and doesn't create weight gain.

Diet and Weight Gain

So, while there is not arthritis diets per say, it's a good idea for those who do suffer from the disease to eat the foods that are good for them. Over eating leads to being overweight, and that excess weight will cancel out any progress you might be able to make through medications and alternative treatments. A healthy arthritis diet will help the patient to align all these issues and reduce their pain and suffering from arthritis. Treating arthritis is a whole body approach, and one of the easiest ways to care for your whole body is to maintain your ideal weight by eating healthy, arthritis diet, or not!

An arthritis diet is never going to be the answer to the diseases. Rather, an arthritis diet, exercise, and stress relief will come together to help cure or prevent arthritis. For now, those looking for an arthritis diet will have to create one for themselves, based on what does and does not work for them. Many doctors suggest an arthritis diet, but because it is not science it may be more frustrating than helpful. So, form your own arthritis diet and take control of your disease.

Here was Storm helping us train Bowdie in May, 2005

Our Granddaughter and Bowdie at the lake in June, 2005