Highly acidic foods and joint pain

Posted by Administrator on 7/20/2012

Joint pain is often associated with arthritis and affects 46 million adults in the United States. We know that being overweight can increase the risk for osteoarthritis, especially of the knees and hips, but does diet itself play a role? A recent study found that people who ate more alkaline foods, i.e. fruits and vegetables, in particular alliums (garlic, leeks, and onion) and non-citrus fruit (berries, apples, peaches, plums, etc.) were less likely to have osteoarthritis.

Food has either an acidifying or alkalizing effect on the body. Acidic foods are mainly animal sources such as meat, fish and dairy. Some plant-based protein foods such as legumes, beans and nuts are considered slightly acidic, but not as acidic as animal sources. Alkaline foods are primarily vegetables and fruits. The body keeps a healthy pH level of blood at 7.35 to 7.45, slightly on the alkaline side. When an individual eats a diet high in acidic foods their body's pH balance is disrupted, which can create health problems; including joint pain.

Effects of High Uric Acid

If too much acid is being produced and your kidneys can't process and remove the excess acid fast enough, you develop a condition known as hyperuricemia -- high level of uric acid build up.

High levels of uric acid in your blood will lead to the development of crystals in and around your joints. Consuming high purine foods such as red meat, game, fish, legumes, shellfish and organ meat can cause high uric acid levels. Alcohol is also a know trigger. Not only are these foods high in purines, but they are also considered to have a highly acidic effect on the body. (Purines are found naturally in your body's cells and also found in the food you consume. When purines are broken down during digestion, they produce uric acid which your kidneys process and remove the excess through urination. If too much acid is being produced and your kidneys can't process and remove the excess acid fast enough, you develop a condition known as hyperuricemia -- high level of uric acid build up.)

The Best Alkaline Foods to Eat for Joint Pain

Foods that can benefit your joints are foods rich in bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids have the ability to expel toxins from the joints. Foods that are rich in bioflavonoids are apples, berries and cherries. The best way to take advantage of these joint pain-relieving foods is to blend them up into a nice refreshing smoothie.

Vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and kale are also good for joint pain. You can prepare them by microwaving, sautéing, or steaming. Also, try cooking with lots of onions and parsley. Onions and parsley are good with alleviating pain in the joints.

Alkaline Foods

ALKALIZING VEGETABLES
Alfalfa
Barley Grass
Beet Greens
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard Greens
Chlorella
Collard Greens
Cucumber
Dandelions
Dulce
Edible Flowers
Eggplant
Fermented Veggies
Garlic
Green Beans
Green Peas
Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Mustard Greens
Nightshade Veggies
Onions
Parsnips (high glycemic)
Peas
Peppers
Pumpkin
Radishes
Rutabaga
Sea Veggies
Spinach, green
Spirulina
Sprouts
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Watercress
Wheat Grass
Wild Greens

ALKALIZING ORIENTAL VEGETABLES
Daikon
Dandelion Root
Kombu
Maitake
Nori
Reishi
Shitake
Umeboshi
Wakame

ALKALIZING FRUITS
Apple
Apricot
Avocado
Banana (high glycemic)
Berries
Blackberries
Cantaloupe
Cherries, sour
Coconut, fresh
Currants
Dates, dried
Figs, dried
Grapes
Grapefruit
Honeydew Melon
Lemon
Lime
Muskmelons
Nectarine
Orange
Peach
Pear
Pineapple
Raisins
Raspberries
Rhubarb
Strawberries
Tangerine
Tomato
Tropical Fruits
Umeboshi Plums
Watermelon

ALKALIZING PROTEIN
Almonds
Chestnuts
Millet
Tempeh (fermented)
Tofu (fermented)
Whey Protein Powder

ALKALIZING SWEETENERS
Stevia

ALKALIZING SPICES & SEASONINGS
Chili Pepper
Cinnamon
Curry
Ginger
Herbs (all)
Miso
Mustard
Sea Salt
Tamari

ALKALIZING OTHER
Alkaline Antioxidant Water
Apple Cider Vinegar
Bee Pollen
Fresh Fruit Juice
Green Juices
Lecithin Granules
Mineral Water
Molasses, blackstrap
Probiotic Cultures
Soured Dairy Products
Veggie Juices

Acid Foods

ACIDIFYING VEGETABLES
Corn
Lentils
Olives
Winter Squash

ACIDIFYING FRUITS
Blueberries
Canned or Glazed Fruits
Cranberries
Currants
Plums**
Prunes**

ACIDIFYING GRAINS, GRAIN PRODUCTS
Amaranth
Barley
Bran, oat
Bran, wheat
Bread
Corn
Cornstarch
Crackers, soda
Flour, wheat
Flour, white
Hemp Seed Flour
Kamut
Macaroni
Noodles
Oatmeal
Oats (rolled)
Quinoa
Rice (all)
Rice Cakes
Rye
Spaghetti
Spelt
Wheat Germ
Wheat

ACIDIFYING BEANS & LEGUMES
Almond Milk
Black Beans
Chick Peas
Green Peas
Kidney Beans
Lentils
Pinto Beans
Red Beans
Rice Milk
Soy Beans
Soy Milk
White Beans

ACIDIFYING DAIRY
Butter
Cheese
Cheese, Processed
Ice Cream
Ice Milk

ACIDIFYING NUTS & BUTTERS
Cashews
Legumes
Peanut Butter
Peanuts
Pecans
Tahini
Walnuts

ACIDIFYING ANIMAL PROTEIN
Bacon
Beef
Carp
Clams
Cod
Corned Beef
Fish
Haddock
Lamb
Lobster
Mussels
Organ Meats
Oyster
Pike
Pork
Rabbit
Salmon
Sardines
Sausage
Scallops
Shellfish
Shrimp
Tuna
Turkey
Veal
Venison

ACIDIFYING FATS & OILS
Avacado Oil
Butter
Canola Oil
Corn Oil
Flax Oil
Hemp Seed Oil
Lard
Olive Oil
Safflower Oil
Sesame Oil
Sunflower Oil

ACIDIFYING SWEETENERS
Carob
Corn Syrup
Sugar

ACIDIFYING ALCOHOL
Beer
Hard Liquor
Spirits
Wine

ACIDIFYING OTHER FOODS
Catsup
Cocoa
Coffee
Mustard
Pepper
Soft Drinks
Vinegar

ACIDIFYING DRUGS & CHEMICALS
Aspirin
Chemicals
Drugs, Medicinal
Drugs, Psychedelic
Herbicides
Pesticides
Tobacco

ACIDIFYING JUNK FOOD
Beer: pH 2.5
Coca-Cola: pH 2
Coffee: pH 4ods

Recommended natural remedies for joint pain:

Arthro-1 Homeopathic        Large Joint Med               Small Joint Anodyne             D73 Homeopathic
(Joint stiffness & pain)        Pain and stiffness             Small joint pain in                 Painful Joints
                                             in shoulders, knees        fingers and toes
                                             and hips.

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Highly acidic foods and joint pain

Effects of High Uric Acid