Osteoarthritis sufferers are singing the praises of an eating plan designed specifically to help older people reclaim their lives. New studies have revealed weight loss could be the key to being pain free, and these older Aussies have all turned to one plan to help them do it.
Being overweight is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis as hips, knees and wrists suffer increased wear and tear if they carry a heavier load. It is caused when the cartilage starts to break down and as bones come into contact, the friction makes joints swollen and painful.
There are no drugs to cure osteoarthritis and sufferers rely mainly on strong anti-inflammatory painkillers. But a Danish study revealed weight loss was actually more effective.
The study used the Cambridge Weight Plan, which relies on a very low calorie intake using meal replacement shakes bars and soups, to measure the benefits of weight loss in osteoarthritis patients. Patients like Luis Barrigos lost huge amounts of fat but without suffering reduced bone density, which is one of the major side effects of some extreme diets.
“I was having a lot of problems sleeping, I’ve got osteoarthritis in several parts of my body. My shoulders in particular the right shoulder I was in such agony I couldn't even sleep I'd have to get up 3/4 times a night to take painkillers,” Mr Barrigo told A Current Affair.
“Since I’ve been on the program I have no pain in my shoulders- no pain in any of my joints- I can sleep well every night, get up full of energy. It’s great.”
The study can be found in the European Journal Of Clinical Nutrition. You can find out more about the Cambridge Weight Plan and osteoarthritis here: www.cambridgeweightplan.com.au
