OA, although some studies indicate that African
American women have a higher risk of developing
OA in the knee joints. Other risk factors for OA
includeosteoporosisandvitamin Ddeficiency.
RA, by contrast, is most likely to be diagnosed in
adults between the ages of 30 and 50, two-thirds of
whom are women. RA affects about 0.8% of adults
worldwide, or 25 in every 100,000 men and 54 in every
100,000 women. Unlike OA, which is caused by degen-
eration of a body tissue, RA is an autoimmune
disorder—one in which the body’s immune system
attacks some of its own tissues. It is often sudden in
onset and may affect other organ systems, not just the
joints. RA is a more serious disease than OA; 30% of
patients with RA will become permanently disabled
within two to three years of diagnosis if they are not
treated. In addition, patients with RA have a higherKEY TERMS
Arthritis (plural, arthritides)—A general term for the
inflammation of a joint or a condition characterized
by joint inflammation.
Avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU)—Acom-
pound of the fractions of avocado oil and soybean oil
that cannot be used in the production of soap. ASU
shows promise in the treatment of OA. It is available
only by prescription in France, where it was first
studied, but can be purchased over the counter in
the United States.
Ayurveda—The traditional system of natural medi-
cine that originated in India around 3500BC. Its name
is Sanskrit for ‘‘science of long life.’’ Some people
have tried Ayurvedic medicines and dietary recom-
mendations in the treatment of arthritis.
Chondroitin sulfate—A compound found naturally
in the body that is part of a large protein molecule
(proteoglycan) helping cartilage to retain its elastic-
ity. Chondroitin sulfate derived from animal or shark
cartilage can be taken as a dietary supplement by
people with OA.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)—
A class of prescription medications given to patients
with rheumatoid arthritis that suppress the immune
system and slow the progression of RA.
Elimination diet—Adietinwhichthepatientexcludes
a specific food (or group of foods) for a period of time
in order to determine whether the food is responsible
for symptoms of an allergy or other disorder. Elimi-
nation diets are also known as food challenge diets.
Glucosamine—A type of amino sugar that is thought
to help in the formation and repair of cartilage. It can
be extracted from crab or shrimp shells and used as a
dietary supplement by people with OA.
Naturopathy—A system of disease treatment that
emphasizes natural means of health care, as water,natural foods, dietary adjustments, massage and
manipulation, and electrotherapy, rather than con-
ventional drugs and surgery. Naturopaths (practi-
tioners of naturopathy) often recommend dietary
therapy in the treatment of arthritis.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—
A class of drugs commonly given to treat the inflam-
mation and pain associated with both RA and OA.
NSAIDs work by blocking prostaglandins, which are
hormone-like compounds that cause pain, fever,
muscle cramps, and inflammation. Some NSAIDs
are prescription drugs while others are available in
over-the-counter (OTC) formulations.
Osteoarthritis (OA)—The most common form of
arthritis, characterized by erosion of the cartilage
layer that lies between the bones in weight-bearing
joints. OA is also known as degenerative joint dis-
ease or DJD.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—An autoimmune disor-
der that can affect organ systems as well as the joints.
It is much less common that OA but is potentially
much more serious.
Rheumatologist—A physician, usually a pediatrician
or internist, who has additional specialized training in
the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the
bones, muscles, and joints.
Turmeric—A perennial herb of the ginger family used
as a coloring agent as well as a spice in food prepara-
tion. It is used in some traditional Ayurvedic medi-
cines for the relief of joint pain and inflammation.
Vegan—A vegetarian who excludes all animal prod-
ucts from the diet, including those that can be
obtained without killing the animal. Vegans are also
known as strict vegetarians. Some people believe that
a vegan diet is helpful in managing arthritis.Arthritis diet