Sugar: The Top Inflammatory Food for PMR

Sugar is the top inflammatory food for PMR. It is also found in healthy foods like yogurt and cereals. Find out how sugar triggers symptoms of polymyalgia.

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disease. The muscles become inflamed and thereby causing pain, numbness, and stiffness. Symptoms of PMR I usually start in the upper extremities (the shoulders, neck, and arms) and progress to the lower extremities (the lower back, hips, and thighs). While this may affect both elderly men and women, this is said to be more common in women who are in their 50s.

Polymyalgia, as a chronic musculoskeletal disease, is usually be compared to arthritis. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia responds very well to treatment and this does not cause any joint deformity. The causes of PMR are still unknown, but it is possibly linked to both environmental and genetic predispositions to the disease. Symptoms of polymyalgia may appear all of sudden or in a dramatic fashion. They are usually worse when you wake up in the morning or during periods of inactivity.

Sugar Hiding in Healthy Foods

Sugar is the most common ingredient in our favorite desserts, such as ice cream and cakes. But do you know that you can also find sugar in many healthy foods?

Sugar is actually in stealth mode, hiding in relatively large amounts in your favorite drinks and foods. Yes, it lurks even in so-called “healthy foods” in the market like sports drinks, granola bars, yogurt, and whole grain breakfast cereals. You may not realize that you are taking too much until it’s too late.

Sugar Is the Top PMR Inflammatory Food

Sugar No. 1 PMR Inflammatory FoodSugar is dubbed as the primary culprit in inflammatory diseases. It is the number one inflammatory food that causes PMR. Consuming high-sugar foods triggers pain and inflammation all over the body. You may have experienced fatigue, asthma, migraines, achy muscles, as well as stiff joints after consuming mouth-watering sugary treats. With painful flares, PMR patients also complained of depression. Depression is also triggered by high sugar intake, according to Whitehall II study.

Americans love sugar. In fact, an average American would usually consume around 35 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup and 47 pounds of cane sugar annually. This is based on; that is recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Sugar Triggers PMR Inflammation

Your affinity for fast food and fried food plus all forms of sugar (refined or raw) is not only the main culprit for heart disease, obesity, and diabetes but it can also trigger joint and muscle pain. It’s the blood sugar spikes that can trigger inflammation. Recent studies show that consuming foods that are high in sugar can increase CRP levels and cause inflammation. Sugary treats would usually cause a spike in insulin which then causes a frenzy in biochemical reactions that substantiate the fact that sugar cause inflammation. In fact, even if the pain and inflammation are caused by trauma, this can still be exacerbated by high sugar intake.

Sugar Worsens Muscle Stiffness and Cramps

Sugar can cause muscle and joint stiffness and pain. The process where the proteins bond with sugar is called glycation. Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are produced which speed up the oxidative process and damage cellular components and behavior. This also results to osteoarthritis and linked to aging.

Sugar destroys minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium in the urine that are crucial for muscle contraction and relaxation. An imbalance in these minerals is what causes frequent muscle cramps.Eating or consuming healthy food and fats like olive oil, vegetables, eggs, nuts, and meat will relieve muscle cramps.

Eat with the rainbow in mind or consuming more fresh and organic fruits and vegetables every day. A bowl of berries and banana are easy to whip for a healthy breakfast and dessert. If you are suffering from polymyalgia, eliminating sugar from your diet will yield better and healthier results for your body. The key to recovery from PMR is to cut sugar intake and replace it with eating healthy real foods that can help restore your body functions to shape.

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