A balanced diet and careful weight control can help people with arthritis manage the pain, inflammation and loss of movement caused by arthritis. Experts in diet recommend seven basic guidelines for a balanced, healthy diet:

• Eat a variety of foods;
• Maintain ideal weight;
• Use fat and cholesterol in moderation;
• Use sugar in moderation;
• Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and grain products;
• Use salt and sodium in moderation;
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

  What are some diet problems people with arthritis may face?

  Fatigue and pain can lower appetite. Swollen joints and loss of movement may lead people with arthritis to avoid foods, such as vegetables, that need more time or effort to prepare and cook. Some kinds of arthritis, and some medications, can affect the body’s ability to use food.

  What about weight?

  Weight control is an important concern for people with arthritis. Keeping close to your ideal weight helps decrease the pressure on the knees and hips, which bear much of the weight of the body. In a study funded in part by the Arthritis Foundation (published in the April 1, 1992, issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine), researchers found for the first time that overweight, middle-aged and older women can significantly lower their risk for developing osteoarthritis of the knee by losing weight. For people with arthritis, it is important to keep trim by reducing fats, cholesterol and sugar in their diets.

  What has research shown about diet and arthritis?

  In addition to the benefits of a good diet, research has shown several other connections between food and some forms of arthritis or arthritis-related conditions. These include links with gout, osteoporosis (an arthritis-related condition in some situations) and Reiter’s Syndrome. For instance, people with gout have difficulty with the way they use or get rid of chemicals called purines. Researchers now think that diet may serve as a risk factor by increasing the chances for developing certain kinds of arthritis. Diet may change the way the immune system reacts in certain kinds of arthritis that involve inflammation. Researchers also are investigating the effects of food allergies and reactions; fasting, low calorie or low fat diets; and fatty acids such as fish oils on rheumatoid arthritis.

  What about those special diet claims?

  Researchers only accept that there is a connection between diet and arthritis after a number of studies show the same results. However, some people claim that special diets, foods or supplements can cause or cure arthritis. The 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. In fact, some claims for special diets for arthritis are health frauds. There is no scientific basis for most of these claims. Other diet claims are still under study. 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 the answer is yes to either question, it is probably an unproven diet.

  How do I find out more?

• Check with a doctor for ways to manage weight and to discuss specific diet options.
• Request the Arthritis Foundation Diet and Your Arthritis brochure.The information provided by the Arthritis Foundation should not take the place of advice and guidance from your own health-care providers. Be sure to check with your doctor about changes in your treatment plan.

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