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  • About Arthritis
    Common Topics
    woman holding her wristWhat Is Arthritis?

    Arthritis is not one disease. Learn about the different types of arthritis, how they differ and why it’s important.

    microbesInflammation and the Immune System

    Body-wide inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases — and you may have more control over it than you think.

    Patient talking with nurseNewly Diagnosed With Arthritis

    A new arthritis diagnosis can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

    • Understanding Arthritis
    • Arthritis Types
    • More About Arthritis
    • Where it Hurts
    • Related Conditions
  • Treatments
    Common Topics
    Woman holding shoulderWebinar: Touch Therapies for Pain Management

    Learn the evidence behind popular touch therapies for arthritis, including what to try and what to avoid, for how long and when.

    Managing Arthritis Care Costs

    Learn the basics about health care costs and financial tools available to you.

    Man with head in hands on bedWebinar: Arthritis Fatigue Causes and Solutions

    Learn the various causes of arthritis-related fatigue and strategies to combat weariness.

    • Treatment Plan
    • Drug Guide
    • Joint Surgery
    • Complementary Therapies
    • Insurance Management
  • Healthy Living
    Common Topics
    Woman with upset stomachMicrobiome, Gut Health & Arthritis

    Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021.

    man exercisingStairs Workout Demo

    Strengthen your leg muscles and improve your stability to make going up and down stairs safer and easier.

    woman consoling anotherArthritis and Mental Health

    Learn about the connection between arthritis, depression and anxiety and how these conditions can make your arthritis worse.

    • Ease of Use Products
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  • Juvenile Arthritis
    Common Topics
    2023 JA Family Summit

    Learn about the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference, a place for families to connect, share and learn.

    JA Camps

    The Arthritis Foundation’s JA camp programs give kids with arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases the chance to make lasting memories.

    Juvenile Arthritis Volunteer

    • About Juvenile Arthritis
    • Treatment
    • Managing Pain
    • Medical Decisions
    • Nutrition
    • Emotional Well-being
  • Professionals
    Common Topics
    Transforming Clinical Interactions

    The Live Yes! Arthritis community connects patients with others online and in-person for support and education, and encourages patients to play an active role in their health care.

    Partners 4 Patients with Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation recently launched an initiative to build stronger relationships and increase recognition of our most engaged practices. 

    Fellowships

    See how we're aiming to address the growing shortage of arthritis specialists, especially in under-served parts of the country.

    • Better Living Toolkits
    • Our Issue Briefs
  • Science
    Common Topics
    OACS Forum Series

    The Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies Forum Series features OA thought leaders from across the globe discussing the future of how the disease can be treated to improve patient outcomes.

    man bandaging boy's kneeConquering Childhood Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation is mobilizing patients and their families to engage in studies comparing the effectiveness of treatments for juvenile arthritis and funding research for more options.

    Focus

    • Awards
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    • Participate in Clinical Trials
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    Common Topics
    Capital hillAction Center

    Take action today - use the resources here to learn who your elected officials are, what opportunities we have to advocate from the comfort of your own home, federal and state legislation, and more!

    LiveYes! Insights thumbnailLive Yes! INSIGHTS

    Share your experience in a 10-minute assessment to be among those changing the future of arthritis.

    woman listening to podcastLive Yes! Podcast

    You may have arthritis, but it doesn't have you. The Arthritis Foundation’s one-of-a-kind podcast. Hosted by patients, for patients.

    • Advocacy
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    • Fundraising
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Probiotics and Arthritis

Learn how “good bacteria” can help reduce inflammation. 

By Jodi Helmer

Ads and articles about probiotics seem to be everywhere.  These so-called “good bacteria,” yeast or other living microorganisms in foods or supplements are touted to have health benefits, including for arthritis. Probiotics are found in or added to foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi and kombucha, and probiotic dietary supplements are available in capsule, powder, tablet and other forms.

Probiotics Basics 
Probiotics are thought to promote health by giving a boost to the good bacteria that live in the gut (the so-called gut microbiota). In fact, some of the bacteria that are present in our bodies are also available in probiotic supplements or foods, including certain strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

Everyone has a unique collection of microbes that inhabits their body (in the gut, on the skin and in the mouth, for instance). These communities are altered over time by diet, environment, medications and experiences. Now, scientists are learning that they may also affect many aspects of our functioning.

Probiotics and Your Health
“There is more recognition that gut microbes play a bigger role in our health than we once thought,” explains Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietician at Mayo Clinic. “All of the beneficial bacteria help keep the bad bacteria in check, and that’s good for your overall health.”

Researchers are discovering that the gut microbiota is crucial to our very survival – for example, by helping our immune system decide if something is friend or foe, and by helping our digestive system extract important nutrients. Some of these microorganisms are good, some bad, others appear to be neutral, and some are both good and bad, depending on the context.

“There is an intimate relationship between [the gut microbiota] and disease,” explains Jeremy P. Burton, PhD, assistant professor at the Canadian Centre for Human Microbiome and Probiotics. “Whenever there is a chronic disease that impacts the intestinal tract, including [autoimmune types of] arthritis, there is the potential to treat it with probiotics.”

Probiotics seem to work in three main ways:
•    Maintaining a balance between “good” and “bad” bacteria in your body
•    Reducing bad bacteria that cause infections and illnesses
•    Replenishing good bacteria that are lost (after illness or a course of antibiotics)

There is also evidence that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, two of the most popular probiotics, might help support the body in a variety of ways, such as: 
  • Speeding up treatment of certain intestinal infections 
  • Helping reduce gas and bloating
  •  Preventing or reducing the severity of colds and flu
  • Improving blood pressure
  • Alleviating symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

Probiotics and Your Arthritis
If you have an inflammatory type of arthritis, probiotics may be especially important. The beneficial bacteria appear to have an impact on inflammation, reducing common biomarkers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP).

“People with inflammatory arthritis also have been shown to have inflammation of the intestinal tract, which results in increased intestinal permeability,” says registered dietitian nutritionist Sonya Angelone, nutrition consultant and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This enables certain bacteria to cross the intestinal barrier, get into the bloodstream and trigger an inflammatory response. Probiotics may be able to help decrease the inflammation associated with increased intestinal permeability, she says.
“A healthy diet helps keep the intestinal barrier strong and the immune system in a top fighting condition,” Angelone adds. “Healthy foods and probiotic supplements can work together to keep joints healthy and keep the rest of the body strong.”

In a 2014 study published in the journal Nutrition, 46 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were divided into two groups. One group received daily supplements containing Lactobacilluscasei and the other group received a placebo. After an eight-week period, several markers of inflammation were significantly lower in the probiotic group, leading researchers to state that, although further studies are needed to confirm the results, the use of probiotics may be an effective an adjunct therapy for patients with RA.

Another 2012 study published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One, found that gut bacteria in mice could be studied to determine which animals were more susceptible to developing RA and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) – the mouse equivalent of osteoarthritis. This led researchers to assert that the gut microbiome could be a potential indicator of susceptibility to arthritis.

Selecting Probiotics
Probiotics and their potential effects on certain health conditions are still not well understood. What’s more, Burton warns that supplements are not well regulated, which means there is no guarantee that they contain the same strains of probiotics that have been proven clinically effective. A recent report from ConsumerLab.com found that 30 percent of probiotic supplements did not contain the amounts of helpful organisms touted on their labels.

“There is no real guide for consumers with regards to probiotic supplements,” Burton says. “You should research the strain and dose and compare it to the clinical research to know if it will work – but most consumers won’t take the time to do that, so there is a lot of trial and error.” Look for supplements with a USP label, which indicates that an independent third party has verified the ingredients, and ask your doctor before starting any supplements; they may interact with your medications or produce other unintended effects. Your doctor may also give you guidance on the best way to take them.
 
Nutrition
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Does Gluten Affect Arthritis Symptoms?

Nutrition

Does Gluten Affect Arthritis Symptoms?
If you have celiac disease (CD) or a gluten sensitivity, changing your diet may help ease arthritis symptoms. Find out how to determine if you should cut gluten out of your diet and how to safely do so.
Read More
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The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions. Join us and become a Champion of Yes.

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Live Yes! INSIGHTS


Give Just 10 Minutes.

Tell us what matters most to you. Change the future of arthritis.

By taking part in the Live Yes! INSIGHTS assessment, you’ll be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis, for yourself and for 54 million others. And all it takes is just 10 minutes.

Your shared experiences will help:

- Lead to more effective treatments and outcomes
- Develop programs to meet the needs of you and your community
- Shape a powerful agenda that fights for you

Now is the time to make your voice count, for yourself and the entire arthritis community. 

Currently this program is for the adult arthritis community.  Since the needs of the juvenile arthritis (JA) community are unique, we are currently working with experts to develop a customized experience for JA families. 

How are you changing the future?

By sharing your experience, you’re showing decision-makers the realities of living with arthritis, paving the way for change. You’re helping break down barriers to care, inform research and create resources that make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

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Meet Our Partners

As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Trailblazer

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

Visionary

Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

Pioneer

Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

Pacesetter

Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

Signature

Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

Supporting

Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

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