Arthritis: Using a certain product during cooking could increase symptoms

Ruth asks This Morning doctor about milk helping arthritis

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Arthritis is an extremely common condition affecting more than 10 million people in the UK, according to the NHS. If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, it is important to manage your diet effectively to avoid painful associated symptoms. With this in mind, experts warn to avoid corn oil when cooking. Why?

Inflammation is at the heart of most arthritis pain, particularly pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of autoimmune arthritis.

Fortunately, there are ways one can combat inflammation, including exercising, taking medications, and following an anti-inflammatory diet.

Eating anti-inflammatory foods may reduce swelling in arthritis, but it’s also important to know about the foods that can trigger painful inflammation.

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Corn oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids with experts classifying it as the evil twin of omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3s are known to help to relieve joint pain, while omega-6s can trigger inflammation.

Baked goods and snacks made with corn oil are unfortunately synonymous with inflammation.

Instead, experts recommend nuts, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds as healthier alternatives which offer joint-friendly omega-3s.

Corn oil is a refined vegetable oil widely used in cooking and especially deep frying.

It also has many other applications and is commonly used for industrial purposes or as an ingredient in cosmetics.

Corn must go through a complex refining process to produce corn oil.

This process gives the oil many unique characteristics, though not all of them are positive.

Polyunsaturated oils contain two types of essential fatty acids omega-3s and omega-6s, said Arthritis Foundation.

The health charity added: “Omega-3s are found in oily fish, flaxseeds and walnuts and are known to be anti-inflammatory.

“Omega-6s are found in oils such as corn, safflower, sunflower, soy and vegetable and products made with those oils.

“Excess consumption of omega-6s can trigger the body to produce pro-inflammatory chemicals.

“They aren’t especially bad and shouldn’t be avoided, but you don’t want them to dominate your intake.”

When it comes to other food types to avoid when cooking, salt is another big risk factor for increased inflammation.

A study in mice revealed that those eating more salt developed worse arthritis symptoms.

“Interestingly, researchers have suggested that high sodium intake may be a risk factor for autoimmune diseases like inflammatory arthritis,” said the dietitian.

Everyone should avoid eating more than a teaspoonful of salt in a single day, according to the NHS.
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