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Relationship Between Protein Intake & Joint Pain

High protein is considered a risk factor in all forms of arthritis. Protein levels in the fluids surrounding painful joints are twice as high as those in pain-free joints.

  1. Features

    • Antibodies in the immune system fight food animal proteins as foreign substances. When proteins are not successfully removed from the body, they can lodge in the joints, causing redness, pain and swelling.

    Expert Insight

    • A genetic condition colloquially called "gut leakage" involves abnormally large proteins leaking from the intestines into the body, which can cause arthritis.

    Prevention

    • Decreasing protein intake can reduce arthritic symptoms, but a return to a high-protein diet can bring symptoms back within a few days.

    Considerations

    • Rheumatoid arthritis is the most likely type to be prevented by a low-protein diet. It is virtually unknown in Africa and Asia where people consume fewer animal products.

    Misconceptions

    • Other animal products beyond red meat, including chicken, cheese and animal fats used in cooking, can lead to arthritis.

    Fun Fact

    • Some medical researchers call rheumatoid arthritis "allergic arthritis" because it can be caused by a reaction to some high-protein foods like milk and dairy products, as well as processed lunchmeats, bacon, hot dogs and cured meats.

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