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There is evidence that changing the diet not an inevitable part of aging. It can develop an ‘autoimmune’ disease, whereby the
can help some people with inflammatory after an injury to a joint; this can happen body’s own immune system attacks the
conditions; some of these are discussed below. months or even years after the injury. joints, causing pain and swelling and the
destruction of cartilage and bone.
Arthritis There is much less research on omega-3s
Arthritis is a painful condition of the joints and osteoarthritis compared to rheumatoid Rheumatoid arthritis affects around
and bones. There are many different forms of arthritis (see below). However, some work 350,000 people in the UK and like
arthritis; the two main types are osteoarthritis indicates that omega-3s are involved. One osteoarthritis, is also more common in
and rheumatoid arthritis. Other forms include study found that cartilage from osteoarthritis women than men. It is most common
ankylosing spondylitis, cervical spondylitis, patients had higher levels of omega-6s and after the age of 40, but can affect people
fibromyalgia, lupus, gout, psoriatic arthritis lower levels of omega-3s than muscle tissue of any age.
and Reiter’s syndrome. from the same people. Another study showed
that long chain omega-3s can reduce the It is characterised by hot painful swelling
Osteoarthritis level of cartilage-degrading enzymes. This in the joints. It usually starts in the wrists,
Osteoarthritis is the most common type raises the possibility that omega-3s can help hands and feet but can spread to other
of arthritis in the UK, affecting 8.5 million prevent the loss of cartilage and ultimately joints. In many diseases inflammation
people. Sometimes called ‘wear and tear’ prevent osteoarthritis. can help healing, but in rheumatoid
arthritis, it occurs when cartilage (the arthritis, it damages. For some people
strong, smooth lining covering our bones) More research on omega-3 fats and the discomfort, pain and loss of mobility
breaks down faster than it can be repaired. osteoarthritis is needed. Eating a healthy can have a serious impact on their lives.
Eventually the surface of the bones rub plant-based diet, containing a good
together, causing damage. This can lead supply of omega-3 fats (including an algal Diet and arthritis
to bony growths developing around the supplement if necessary), would however In the past, people with arthritis were told
edge of the joints and inflammation of be a good insurance policy, rather than just that changing their diet would not help
the tissues. Osteoarthritis mostly occurs in waiting for the research. them. Despite this, over the years, many
the knees, hips and hands but can affect arthritis patients have found that certain
any joint. Rheumatoid arthritis foods can help, while others can harm.
Rheumatoid (inflammatory) arthritis is
It generally occurs in the over 50s, and is more a more aggressive, but less common Arthritis Care, the UK’s largest voluntary
common in women than men. However, it is condition than osteoarthritis. It is known as organisation working with and for
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