Nutrients in Tart Cherries Can Help Fight Arthritis Pain

Though living with arthritis is the pits, life can be better with a bowl of cherries. Specifically, tart cherries, which are different from sweet cherries and not usually eaten in their fresh state. They are popular in juices, smoothies, baking and recipe creation, including cherry pies, cherry desserts and other cherry-based concoctions. Several studies have linked the consumption of tart cherries to decreased inflammation and inflammatory-related conditions like arthritis. Powerful Benefits Scientists suspect it’s the flavonoid, anthocyanin, along with other phytonutrients, that gives tart cherries their powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Research has found that the fruit may relieve joint pain in ...more

PsA Research Briefs: Comorbidities

Keep up-to-date on the latest psoriatic arthritis (PsA) research with our brief research summaries. PsA May Put Liver at Risk People with PsA may have an increased risk of liver disease, according to a new study that followed more than a million people for an average of 6 years. People with psoriasis were 37% more likely to develop liver disease than those without inflammatory diseases, the study found. Those with PsA were 38% more likely to have liver disorders. Taking methotrexate further increased their risk. SOURCE: Journal of Investigative Dermatology, April 2018 Cardiovascular Risk Factors Undertreated A large percentage of patients with psoriasis and psoriatic ...more

Reader Insights: What I Should Be Doing for My Arthritis?

Arthritis Today readers answer the question: What should you be doing for your arthritis? » Exercise, definitely. But I am so tired all the time. I feel better when I get going, but making myself go for a walk is hard! —Pauline Turner » Learning to slow down and live with it. —Joanne Mullineaux » Go grain-free. I did it once and it helped the pain. But the holidays came, and I indulged. Now I just can’t seem to get back onboard. —Renee Matthews » Not eating sugar of any kind. —Caryl Shade » I do everything myself as long as I can. It’s very ...more

Arthritis-Friendly Travel Tips for Outdoor Adventures

Traveling doesn’t have to be derailed by arthritis. We asked travel pros as well as casual travelers for their favorite arthritis-friendly travel destinations. Here are some of their suggestions: National and State Parks Don’t assume any national park in the U.S. is off limits, says Ray Bloomer, director of education and technical assistance for the National Center on Accessibility at Indiana University, which oversees accessibility for the National Park Service (NPS). “Most national parks, in some way or another, can facilitate almost everyone to some degree,” he says. Each of the 417 national parks has a staff person versed in accessibility who ...more

2018 Live Yes! Conference of Champions

Building Momentum for the Arthritis Movement Bringing people with arthritis together has been an Arthritis Foundation specialty for 70 years. Helping them make connections with each other and with the experts and resources they need can change their lives. This November, we’ll renew our promise to empower people with arthritis to live their best life at the 2018 Live Yes! Conference of Champions. Hundreds of Arthritis Foundation staff members, passionate volunteers and generous partners from around the country will descend on Baltimore to focus on “The Power of Connections.” The Power of Connections Connections are what make our community tick. And something the Foundation ...more

Open Letter to America from the Arthritis Foundation About Pain Awareness Month

Arthritis is painful … and it’s relentless. The Arthritis Foundation knows the pain our community endures. Based on a survey of arthritis patients, we know that: The #1 goal of arthritis treatment is to “reduce pain.” The #1 motivator for seeking out information is “I experienced pain.” Pain is not an easy topic to discuss, but if we bring it out of the shadows, we believe the result will be eye-opening for everyone – and uplifting in mind, body and soul for the 54 million Americans who suffer from arthritis pain. During National Pain Awareness Month, help the Arthritis Foundation advance ...more

Infuse a Little Zing into Your Water

Hot summer days call for a tall glass of something cold. Your healthiest option? Water. Not only does it have zero calories, “for those with a chronic condition like arthritis, water also helps in lubricating the joints, so you can move more easily, and helps to flush out the kidneys, so your body can work more efficiently,” says registered dietitian Lyssie Lakatos, with Nutrition Twins consulting in New York City. How much should you drink? It varies by person,  but aim for about half your body weight in ounces. For a 140-pound individual, that would be 70 ounces (about 9 cups daily), ...more

Arthritis-Specific Clinical Trials, at Your Fingertips

Clinical trials are an important step in testing the effects of new treatments on health outcomes. Did you know that one of the most challenging aspects of the drug approval process is finding people to take part in clinical trial studies? It’s true, and we believe one of those reasons is because patients don’t know what is available to them. That’s why we’ve created an easy-to-use search tool– the Arthritis Trial Finder – so you can easily find clinical trials that meet your needs! First, let’s talk about the basics of clinical research and how an idea becomes a clinical trial. ...more

Ambassador Spotlight - Stephanie Kwiecien

Advocating for the arthritis community, says 27-year-old Stephanie Kwiecien, has restored the voice that bullying shut down. “Advocacy is really important to me because it gave me back the voice I thought I’d lost,” says Kwiecien, who was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (now known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis) when she was 18 months old. During her elementary and middle school years, Kwiecien’s peers were unfazed by her condition and her teachers were understanding. But high school was different. Some classmates teased Kwiecien. “It all kind of happened in gym class. I limped, and I couldn’t run as fast as the others,” ...more

Meditation for RA and PsA

Meditation is good for your soul. Research shows it can also help ease pain caused by all types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and osteoarthritis (OA). For centuries, meditation has been used to help focus the mind and soothe the spirit. But scientific evidence suggests this ancient practice – particularly a modern form known as mindfulness meditation or mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) – offers a variety of health benefits, including relief for chronic joint pain and skin disorders like psoriasis. The Research People with psoriasis were involved in some of the earliest research on mindfulness meditation. Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, ...more