Arthritis advice available
Thousands of contradictory words have been written on the effects of certain types of diet on arthritis so that it's hard for people with the condition to know what to believe.
Although it remains a controversial area, there is an increasing amount of evidence that diet can make some difference to certain kinds of arthritis.
For example eating oily fish is very important for people with inflammatory arthritis as it also contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid which can help the condition by reducing inflammation.
On the other hand, omega-6, which is found for example in sunflower oil, can increase inflammation, and intake should be reduced.
Arthritis (both osteoarthritis and inflammatory types) progresses faster in people with a low intake of Vitamin D, which is needed by the body to absorb calcium.
Vitamin D can be taken as a supplement and is also found in oily fish.
Medical research charity the Arthritis Research Campaign (arc) has produced a revised and updated version of its Diet and Arthritis booklet.
To obtain a free copy of the booklet please contact 0870 8505000 or write to us at St Marys Gate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 7TD.
Jane Tadman, Arthritis, Research Campaign
