Short Answer: Eggs are good for arthritis, except for gout. Because they have choline and vitamin D, which can reduce inflammation and prevent bone loss, and purines, which can increase uric acid levels and trigger gout attacks.
Arthritis is a condition that affects your joints, which are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee.
There are many different types of arthritis with different causes and treatments.
In arthritis, your body’s immune system may attack the lining of the joint capsule, a tough membrane that encloses all the joint parts.
This lining (synovial membrane) becomes inflamed and swollen.
The disease process can eventually destroy cartilage and bone within the joint.
This can lead to various health problems, such as pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and decreased range of motion.
One of the key factors in managing arthritis is diet.
What you consume can affect your inflammation levels, which can impact your arthritis symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage arthritis, you should consume anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish, berries, nuts, and leafy greens, and avoid pro-inflammatory foods like processed meats, refined carbohydrates, sugar, and alcohol.
Now, eggs are a natural source of many nutrients, including high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals.
People usually eat them boiled, scrambled, fried, or baked.
Eggs are good for arthritis because they contain choline, a nutrient that can reduce inflammation.
Choline is also important for brain and liver health.
Eggs also contain vitamin D, which can help prevent bone loss and improve muscle strength in people with arthritis.
However, eggs may not be suitable for some types of arthritis, such as gout, because they contain purines, which can increase uric acid levels and trigger gout attacks.
One large egg can give you about 6 grams of protein (12% of your daily needs), 5 grams of fat (8% of your daily needs), 0.6 gram of carbohydrate (0% of your daily needs), and 147 milligrams of choline (27% of your daily needs).
Choline can reduce inflammation by lowering the levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that can cause damage to blood vessels and tissues.
Choline can also modulate the immune system and prevent excessive inflammation.
Vitamin D can prevent bone loss by helping the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that are essential for bone health.
Vitamin D can also improve muscle strength by stimulating muscle protein synthesis and reducing muscle inflammation.
Purines are substances that are found in some foods and are broken down into uric acid in the body.
Uric acid can form crystals in the joints and cause gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes sudden and severe pain, swelling, and redness.
Purines are also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and kidney stones.
Furthermore, eggs are a type of animal protein and animal protein is good for arthritis.
Because, animal protein can provide essential amino acids that are needed for tissue repair and maintenance.
Animal protein can also increase the levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone that can stimulate cartilage growth and prevent cartilage breakdown.
You can eat up to two eggs per day safely.
More than that can cause high cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
However, this may vary depending on your individual response to dietary cholesterol and other factors, such as genetics, age, and lifestyle.
Also, you shouldn’t eat eggs if you have gout or high uric acid levels to prevent gout attacks.
Because eggs contain purines, which can increase uric acid levels and trigger inflammation.
You can buy fresh eggs in your local market or can order them from online.
Always choose eggs that are organic, pastured, or omega-3 enriched.
Because these eggs have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin E, which are beneficial for inflammation and overall health. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
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Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and essential medical care, is key to managing arthritis effectively.
I always recommend my arthritis patients to follow an arthritis-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being and enjoy a longer and healthier life.
