Preventing Arthritis

Preventing Arthritis
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Even flexitarians might be at increased risk for developing arthritis.

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It may even help with arthritis: “Fish, seal, and flaxseed oils lessened joint pain.” So, it looks like we have another choice: we can kill and grind up her…[photo of a seal]; we can kill and grind up him…[photo of a fish] Or, we can kill and grind up this [illustration of flaxseeds].

On the other hand, eating meat—even a tiny amount—may dramatically increase our risk of developing degenerative arthritis. Even eating meat less than once a week may trigger arthritis. My patients will say things to me like, they only smoke x number of cigarettes, and my response is always that any amount of smoking is too much.

Well, this kind of data suggests the same thing for meat. So, let’s compare burgers. Same serving size, but the downer burger has 25% more calories, 300% more fat, 500% more saturated fat, and infinitely more cholesterol—of course, in addition to its arthritis-inducing potential.

To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by Dianne Moore.

Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.

It may even help with arthritis: “Fish, seal, and flaxseed oils lessened joint pain.” So, it looks like we have another choice: we can kill and grind up her…[photo of a seal]; we can kill and grind up him…[photo of a fish] Or, we can kill and grind up this [illustration of flaxseeds].

On the other hand, eating meat—even a tiny amount—may dramatically increase our risk of developing degenerative arthritis. Even eating meat less than once a week may trigger arthritis. My patients will say things to me like, they only smoke x number of cigarettes, and my response is always that any amount of smoking is too much.

Well, this kind of data suggests the same thing for meat. So, let’s compare burgers. Same serving size, but the downer burger has 25% more calories, 300% more fat, 500% more saturated fat, and infinitely more cholesterol—of course, in addition to its arthritis-inducing potential.

To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by Dianne Moore.

Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.

Doctor's Note

More on the health benefits of flax seeds:
Can Flax Seeds Help Prevent Breast Cancer?
Lifestyle Medicine Is the Standard of Care for Prediabetes
Prostate vs. Plants

And check out my other videos on arthritis. 

For further context, see my blog posts: Preventing and Treating Kidney Failure With Diet, Plant-Based Diets for Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Plant-Based Diets for Psoriasis.

If you haven’t yet, you can subscribe to my videos for free by clicking here.

 

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18 responses to “Preventing Arthritis”

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  2. This video seems to be a little messed up. The audio doesn’t kick in at the very beginning, so I missed hearing the first part.
    PS I LOVE THIS WEBSITE!!! Great job. Thank you!

    Reply

    1. I’m so glad you’ve found the site useful Leslie. The audio weirdness of which you speak is an artifact of the fact that all the older videos were originally part of my Latest in Nutrition DVDs (http://www.drgreger.org/DVDs), and so got chopped up into topical segments for the website and you experience these kinds of continuity issues. Unfortunately there’s no “previous” video button where you can go back and see the “prequel” to the current video so you don’t come in in the middle (yet! We’re working on NutritionFacts.org version 2.0 to incorporate all sorts of new features). For this video, you can see the one immediately preceding it here: http://nutritionfacts.org/videos/algae-based-dha-vs-flax-2/

      Reply

    1. This is a common myth perpetuated by misinformation. Soy does not effect hormones, in fact, phytoestrogens are basically neutral to your estrogen receptors. Xenoestrogens on the other hand, which are animal based estrogens from dairy, really change your hormonal balance. Hence why acne is typically a result of dairy consumption.

      Dr. Greger clears up this issue in many of his videos.
      http://nutritionfacts.org/videos/breast-cancer-survival-and-soy/
      http://nutritionfacts.org/videos/soy-breast-cancer-3/
      http://nutritionfacts.org/videos/soy-breast-cancer-survival/
      http://nutritionfacts.org/videos/dairy-sexual-precocity/

      Reply

  4. Dr. Greger, I love this.  Love the videos and the content in them and your presentation and delivery.  I am 38 yrs old and have recently adopted a vegan diet about 3 months ago and now slowly attempting a vegan lifestyle as well ( leather, etc..)  Could you reccomend any books, videos, websites ( other than yours) or any tips that i should consider.  Thank you again for the great work you do!  Eranga

    Reply

  5. I first want to say thank you VERY much for all of your effort and daily contributions towards informing people of the truth behind so many aspects of healthty nutrition! I would love your input on a question I have though. I’ve had 4 knee surgeries now – all due to playing american football. I’ve been told by several Dr.s that my knee is like a case study b/c there’s so many things wrong with it, and I’m “too young” for a knee replacement at this time. I have arthritis “in all 3 parts of the knee”. Well, thanks to your information and videos, I now eat far less meat and I eat ground flax seeds on a daily basis. However, given recent pains in my knees, I was also considering taking Fish Oil pills and Glucosameen sulfate pills. What are your thoughts on those? And are there specific brands that are proven to be more reliable by actually containing the ingredients they advertise on their bottle? Thanks and keep up the great work!

    Reply

    2. “I now eat far less meat…”

      I point your attention back to this video’s comment: “On the other hand, eating meat, even a tiny amount, may dramatically increase our risk of developing degenerative arthritis. Even eating meat less than once a week may trigger arthritis.”
      I expect you saw it, but hope you are taking this to heart, particularly if your knees are so bad. [And I expect the same is true of all dairy products and arthritis, as they are animal protein, too.]
      It does take some doing to switch from the diet to which we’ve been accustomed for many years.

      Reply

      1. yes, I recall that video, but unfortunately for me it’s still a work in progress:) I haven’t consumed eggs or milk in several months – only unsweetened soy now. Do you have any input on “effectiveness” Glocosameen sulfate? Thanks

        Reply

        1. There have been clinical studies showing improvement in some patients with arthritis. I have seen more patients benefit from a WFPB diet. Initial responses are probably due to the clearing of Neu5gc from the body see… http://nutritionfacts.org/video/the-inflammatory-meat-molecule-neu5gc/. For some arthritis I have seen patients who after improving greatly from going on a WFPB diet still have some flares that they were able to ultimately relate to specific plant triggers. These triggers can vary from patient to patient.

          Reply

  6. Is arthritis reversible? What would be the fastest and most effective way to treat it if you already are on a vegan diet and don’t digest food properly?

    Reply

    1. Hi, HealthyCheetah! Yes, studies have shown that arthritis can be treated with a plant-based diet. You’re already on the right track by eating a vegan diet; I would recommend focusing on consuming whole plant foods as much as possible, and minimizing processed foods. Specific foods that have been shown to provide arthritis relief include acai berries, cherries, sesame seeds, and turmeric, among others. I would recommend checking out the arthritis topic page for more information and links: https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/arthritis/.
      What kind of digestive issues are you experiencing? If liquids and puréed foods are perhaps more tolerable for you, you may enjoy this pumpkin pie smoothie recipe provided by Dr. Greger from the arthritis topic page: “Simply blend a can of pumpkin purée, a handful of frozen cranberries and pitted dates, pumpkin pie spice to taste, a quarter-inch turmeric slice (or quarter-teaspoon of powder), and unsweetened soymilk to reach your preferred consistency”. Consuming turmeric with soy may provide a double benefit if you suffer from osteoarthritis.

      Reply

  7. What about algae-based New Chapter’s “Bone Strength” taken 3x a day to get >770 algae based calcium, this 3x daily regimen in total daily intake also includes ( same supplement) k1 35 mcg, k2 45 mcg, D3 1,000 ou, magnesium 58 mg, and strontium 5 mg and silicon 2ng, and vanadium 15 mcg -taken WITH one 50 mg magnesium tablet, one K2 100 mcg k ( does not say I or 2 just K) -that totals magnesium 208 mg magnesium daily and 380 mcg K daily-plus separately taken by 2 hours, one 680 mg strontium so as not to interfere with the calcium uptake-i have niw “ red line” osteoporosis but am athletic, active, and a strict vegan taking Gregor’s Daily Dozen with his rec vegan supplements.

    I had high phosphorus in the danger zone from an unknown cause.

    I stopped all supplements one usually puts in smoothies and stopped protein powders and started lowering phosphorus foods and I lowered phosphorus to high normal but is this a safe and proven supplement regimen to recerse bone loss?

    It may have been protein powders and other supplements in my smoothies brought this on in the first place! ( high phosphorus).

    I do yoga and hike vigorously daily. Doctors know so little about nutrition! I am seeing a nutritionist and yet this keeps us both busy so would appreciate any pointers to the latest research!!

    Reply

  8. I stopped eating beans and many grains a long time ago and my joint pain after a while was gone. I have forgotten about the issue until 2 months ago i began eating plant based no oil and beans grains and nuts. My joint pain is back and i am very uncomfortable. Is it the lack of oil or the beans which many books contradict what plant based authors write and have beans as high inflammatory food?

    Reply

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