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9 Comments

    1. Hi Richard – I am not a doctor so I can only speak from personal experience. I find walking and gentle stretching and calisthenics (leg lifts, sit-ups, push-ups, etc.) very helpful. I usually do my stretching first thing in the morning. When I walk – I try not to overdue it on hard surfaces. Swimming and bike-riding can also be good – especially if your knees are bothering you. The more you move the less stiff you feel.

  1. Hi Margaret, Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Recently, I had significant pain in my knees (had to start climbing stairs one step at a time and went from 3-mile intermediate hikes to less than a mile on flat surfaces). I went to the doctors, GP, orthopedist, and PT, and got xrays and an mri thinking it was a torn meniscus, and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my left knee (it’s also in my right knee). The PT told me to go home and do yoga (which I already do), and I was prescribed medication but no other follow-up to provide management which left me feeling confused and hopeless. So, I started researching and found Dr. Barnard (PCRM site, etc.) and your article. Your experience helped me figure out what I’ve been eating that most likely brought on such severe inflammation.

    I’ve been on a WFPB diet now for 3 years now (and many of the good foods I eat are on the list of Dr. Barnard’s trigger foods). However, after reading your article I realized that the dates with almond butter that I started eating last month (sometimes 4-5 a day) have most likely contributed to the inflammation. I’m going to start my customized management plan by eliminating those two foods from my diet and see how that works first, and if I don’t see a substantial improvement in the next few weeks, I’ll go on Dr. Barnard’s full elimination diet.

    I’m also going to use your practice of warm and cold therapy. I’ve reserved Dr. Barnard’s Body in Balance, from the library and I have started reading Body on Fire by Dr. Monica Aggarwal. Along with these books and researching online, your first-hand experience has given me much clarity.

    Thank you so much!! If you have any other resources, I’d love to hear about it.

    Linda

    1. Hi Linda – I’m sorry to hear about your arthritis diagnosis, but glad you found the article helpful. Since I wrote the article I’ve also found Arnica Gel (https://amzn.to/37Vkk24) helpful in reducing swelling and pain. When my husband’s knee bothers him, he rubs it on before bed and then feels better when we walk the next morning.

      And, if I had to guess, I’d say the almond butter is more likely causing a problem than the dates. I eat dates on my oatmeal every morning! But everyone is different. Your body will tell you what feels right. Hope you feel better soon!

  2. Thank you (again), Margaret. I will order the arnica cream and see how that works for me. If my symptoms improve, I’ll try re-introducing the dates first. One more question… do you have experience with coffee or caffeinated tea causing inflammation?

    1. Hi Linda – I don’t drink coffee or caffeinated tea because I’m sensitive to caffeine—it gives me heart palpitations. So I can’t speak on whether they cause inflammation. But since you’ve been WFPB for three years, I’m wondering if you take any supplements, like B12 or D3? If not, you may want to read my article about Plant Based Problems and Solutions. Food sensitivities or nutrient deficiencies can also cause joint pain.

      1. Thank you for your recommendations. I’m on a quest!! I read your article and also got Dr. Barnard’s book from the library. I am taking B12 and D3, but not in the forms you suggest… so will try that once my supply is out. I’m already getting around better and feeling better mentally as I find ways to stay pain free (as much as possible). I’ve also been reading Healing Arthritis by Susan Blum, MD., M.P.H. Her book has some of the same info (although a slightly different diet); she also includes the impact of disease, trauma and stress on the body (which can cause inflammation). Again, much thanks!!

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