If you have Ankylosing Spondylitis, or AS for short, you are probably familiar with the symptoms of morning stiffness and back pain. You know how difficult it is to live with this pain. So, along with medication to control these symptoms, it can be very important to pay attention to the food we eat. A topic that is being talked about a lot among people with AS these days is the low-starch diet, or ``(Low-Starch Diet)``.
Why is there a connection between starch and AS?
To understand this, we need to go inside our bodies a little. Simply put, the theory behind this is a bit complicated, but I'll explain it to you in an easy-to-understand way.
We all have millions of good and bad bacteria living in our guts. This is normal. However, when some people with AS eat a lot of starchy foods (for example, bread, rice, potatoes, noodles), a special type of bacteria called `Klebsiella` that lives in our guts begins to multiply rapidly. Think of starch as their favorite food for these bacteria.
When the number of Klebsiella bacteria increases, our body's defense system, the immune system, becomes alarmed. Thinking, "Here comes an enemy," it produces antibodies to fight these bacteria. Here's the problem. These antibodies can start attacking not only the Klebsiella bacteria, but also our own joints. This is called a cross-reaction. As a result, inflammation in the joints increases, and your AS symptoms, such as pain and stiffness, may become worse.
Important: This is still a research-based theory. It may not work for everyone, but some AS patients report significant relief from their symptoms when they reduce their starch intake.
To explore this further, a team of researchers in Portugal is planning to conduct a study using 300 AS patients. That may help us paint a clearer picture.
So what is this low-starch diet?
This involves cutting out starchy foods as much as possible and instead adding more protein, good fats, and low-starch vegetables and fruits to your diet. Let's take a look at what to cut out and what to eat more of.
| Foods to reduce/avoid as much as possible | More edible things |
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If you're trying this diet...
You can't expect results in a day or two with this type of dietary change. You need to follow it consistently for at least a few weeks to allow your body to adjust to the new way of eating and to notice a change in your symptoms.
The best thing to do is to write down what you eat and how your symptoms (pain, stiffness) are throughout the day. This will help you understand if eating certain foods makes your pain worse or if you feel some relief.
It is mandatory to seek medical advice!
This is the most important thing. If you have AS, you should definitely talk to your doctor before making such a big dietary change.
Don't suddenly stop eating starches completely just because you saw them on the internet or because someone told you to. Because if you do, you may lose the nutrients your body needs.
Your doctor will consider your health, other medications you are taking, and your nutritional needs to determine whether this diet is right for you. He or she may also refer you to a nutritionist or dietitian. Therefore, it is wise to consult with your doctor before doing anything.
Take-Home Message
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a disease that causes inflammation of the joints.
- According to some theories, eating a diet high in starch can increase the number of Klebsiella bacteria in the intestines, worsening symptoms.
- Some AS patients have been able to reduce pain and joint stiffness by following a low-starch diet.
- This diet involves reducing starchy foods such as bread, rice, and potatoes, and adding more fish, meat, eggs, legumes, and low-starch vegetables to the diet.
- Most importantly: Before trying this diet, be sure to consult your doctor to find out if it's right for you and to get the right guidance.
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