Osteoarthrits and Rheumatoid Arthritis: What's The Difference?

If you’ve ever felt loss of motion, joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, chances are you may be suffering from some form of arthritis. There are more than 100 forms of arthritis and similar diseases, but two of the most common are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [1].

The Difference Between OA and RA

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, while rheumatoid arthritis affects about one-tenth as many people as OA [2]. What really separates these two is the root cause of the joint pain associated with both disease.

Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks the body’s joints.

Let’s break the two down further [2]:

Osteoarthritis

It usually begins later on in life.

It doesn’t happen immediately, but builds up over time
The joints ache and may be tender to the touch, but there is little to no swelling.
Symptoms usually begin on one side of the body and can spread to the other side. Symptoms begin gradually and are often limited to one set of joints, usually the finger joints closest to the fingernails or the thumbs, large weight-bearing joints like hips and knees, or the spine.

Morning stiffness usually lasts less than 1 hour. Stiffness returns at the end of the day or after periods of activity.
There is no presence of symptoms that affect the whole body

Rheumatoid Arthritis

It can begin at any point in life.

It occurs relatively rapid, over weeks to months
Joints are painful, swollen, and stiff.
Symptoms are usually symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body, like both hands, both wrists or elbows, or the balls of both feet.

Morning stiffness usually lasts longer than 1 hour.
Other than joint pain and stiffness, symptoms include frequent fatigue and a general feeling of being ill.

One final difference between the two, RA is an autoimmune condition and food allergens play a much larger role in triggering pain and inflammation. If you have RA you will need to conduct an elimination diet and work with a healthcare practitioner to create a tailored protocol to heal your gut as well.

Foods To Avoid If You Have Arthritis

Anyone suffering with arthritis, whether OA or RA, will tell you that avoiding triggering your symptoms is one of the best things you can do. Aside from individual food allergens, there are some general guidelines or a foundational diet for arthritis that should be followed by anyone with joint pain in order to reduce inflammation.

Here are 10 foods you need to avoid if you have arthritis:

Gluten and Wheat

Gluten and wheat can produce an inflammatory response in people, especially those sensitive to it. A leaky gut, or increased gut permeability, has been linked to joint pain [3]. A leaky gut allows waste and toxins to leak into the bloodstream via the intestines. These byproducts are seen as a threat and the body initiates an immune response. The immune response is what leads to inflammation; sometimes targeting areas in and around the joints.

Vegetable oil

Vegetable oils contain high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, and excess consumption of omega-6s can trigger the body to produce pro-inflammatory chemicals; the American diet tends to be very high in omega-6s [4].

Dairy

Dairy products contain a type of protein called casein. A study done by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, found that casein protein may irritate tissue around the joints. This joint irritation then results in inflammation within the surrounding area.

Fried and Processed Foods

Another study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, found that reducing consumption of fried and processed foods “can reduce inflammation and actually help restore the body’s natural defenses regardless of age of health status.”

Salt and Preservatives

Foods produced today are loaded with excessive amounts of salt and preservatives; the former makes some foods more palatable, and the latter artificially extends a product’s shelf life. Regardless, consuming too much salt and preservatives may produce inflammation within the joints.

‘Ages’

This doesn’t mean the number of years you’ve lived, AGE is an acronym for an advanced glycation end product, which is a toxic byproduct resulting from fried, grilled, heated, or pasteurized foods. Certain proteins in the body are “attacked” upon consuming AGE foods. This stimulates an autoimmune response; cytokines are inflammatory messengers released by the autoimmune system to protect against further damage caused by AGEs and other harmful agents. Cytokines directed to areas within or around joints exacerbates arthritis symptoms by increasing inflammation.

Nightshades

Nightshades are types of vegetables, also known as Solanaceae, and they contain solanine – a type of compound that produces adverse physiological reactions in arthritis patients. Consuming vegetables like eggplant, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes can worsen arthritis pain for some people, if their gut health is compromised. You can learn more about nightshades in the video below.

Sugar

Processed sugars (similar to AGEs) release cytokines – molecules that stimulate inflammation. Sugar is just an “umbrella term” for other types of derivative ingredients; namely, ingredients that end in “ose,” such as fructose, glucose, and sucrose, among others. Make sure to read the label on foods you buy to ensure you aren’t consuming any of these sugars.

Refined Carbs

Refined carbohydrates like white flour products, white potatoes, white rice, and most cereals are high on the glycemic index (HGI). HGI foods incite the production of byproducts (including AGEs), which worsens inflammation. An article published by Scientific American states that, refined carbs “may increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease more than fat does” and obesity is among the primary risk factors of arthritis.

Alcohol and Tobacco

Alcohol and tobacco use has been linked to the development of certain types of arthritis. As per healthline.com, “Studies have shown that environmental factors play a part in who develops (rheumatoid arthritis) and that smoking is a big risk factor.” A link has been discovered between levels of alcohol use and chances of developing gout.