Keto diet improves arthritis pain

A new study, plus another from 2019, report that very low carb diets help relieve arthritis pain. Part of the effect could be due to weight loss, but is there something more with an anti-inflammatory effect of keto diets? Let's look at the studies to decide.

Earlier news story about the 2019 study:

Table of content:
0:21 The first study
2:12 Results from the study
3:52 About the second study
4:42 Conclusion

About us:

[richardmathews]

I wrecked both my knees skiing in my early 20's, and since then lived with pain and selling daily. By the time I was nearing 50 I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and taking pain meds to get through the day. At 62 I was put on Prednisone for another autoimmune disease, PMR, and methotrexate for my RA. A year later I discovered Keto and was off my Prednisone and done with PMR, but still on methotrexate. Every I tried to taper off methotrexate I developed terrible pain in my wrists and hands. I later read about oxalates and eliminated all plant foods and was off methotrexate and pain free in 30 days. A short time later by accident I that I sitting with my legs under me on the floor playing with my grandkids, and my knees didn't feel like they were exploding. At 68 I can now do ladder work all day with no knee pain and hike all day through the mountains. I'm more capable in my late 60's than I was in my 30's.

[kenjohnson]

i had terrible arthritis, elbows, shoulders, weak grip, toe pain, such that i could not sleep. i did not go on a diet, i simply stopped eating sugar, processed foods, no bread, no junk food, , switched to grass fed, organic and the joint pain was gone in 2 weeks, along with heartburn, skin cancer on my arm and many other things gone, i will say, some muscle discomfort at times, and yes lost weight, its been 6 weeks now.

[stevec]

At age 70 I've been on keto for nearly 2 years now but fortunately I have no arthritis pain, actually no pain at all but since keto is a highly anti-inflammatory diet I'm not surprised it would help with arthritis pain.

[gekekoons]

My pain was greatly reduced within weeks of starting keto. I went full carnivore and now have no significant pain. No more pain meds. Seven months in. I haven't lost significant weight, just eight pounds.

[HallyuHagdom]

My knee pain almost went away after a week in keto. It was amazing. I stop keto, the pain comes back. And that's just the start of it.

[chrisgraham]

I've been carnivore for 14 mths only did my knee pain dissipate but my wrist arthritis also went within the first month so obviously it wasn't weight 4mths I went to 20 grams of carbs or less and have kept to that and have up to now lost 6 inches from my feel great and my wife tells me I'm more chilled than I've ever works but you have to give it a chance

[geoffmckay]

I had Gout in my right big toe for years! Within a month on Keto the pain and swelling starting decreasing and now I have no pain in that toe at all!!

[Christine-xsof]

Not probably but definitely yes.
I had suffered from RA since I was 20, I am 50 now. Ever since I switched to keto, I stopped taking all meds and pain free. I am on carnivore now and it is even better.

[SalimAlguslan]

From personal experience, keto reversed all my arthritic pain… and sciatica

[vas]

Oh, Dr S Hallberg… I’m so sorry she has passed. A brave & wonderful doctor and human being.

[michelegreen]

Great info once again. You have a great way of presenting information

[brucerubenstein]

I’m about three weeks into a keto diet after discovering that fasting followed by a day of eating only fatty meats dramatically reduced my shoulder arthritis pain. The difference for me is approximately the same as taking NSAIDs. Not every day has been perfect, but most days have been much better than before switching.

[missygee]

Of course because sugar, grains and seed oils are highly inflammatory and avoiding them, along with starches on a keto diet will make a significant improvement in weight and even elviate pain by removing the cause!

[aprilek]

This is exactly what I have experienced after going low carb, 5 years ago. I also add collagen peptides to my morning coffee. I have bone on bone medially in my right knee and a ACL repair in my left knee. Before low carb, pain after strenous exercise, running, hiking etc. Now, no pain at all and inflammatory markers low. I have always been lean so weight lost was not a factor

[cincygal]

My knee pain disappeared within two weeks of being on Keto, so I know it wasn't from the weight loss as I hadn't lost enough by that time to make much of a difference.

[AR-lsiu]

5 years ago I was 370 lbs due to untreated/ undiagnosed severe sleep apnea, which screwed up my appetite hormones.

I began losing weight once the sleep apnea was treated, but back when I was sti 320 lbs my dr gave my end stage arthritic knee a kenalog shot. It was only supposed to work for 3 mos but I never needed one again after cutting processed foods, sugar, and grains from my life.

My new ortho dr said he couldn't believe I had zero pain after seeing my xrays a few mos ago! When I told him about my diet, he said, that explains it!

[rachelm]

Absolutely, Keto can improve conditions such as arthritis. It's what we're NOT eating, right? Wheat and sugar, both highly inflammatory and ubiquitous! I have a long-term neck injury that wouldn't allow me to knit or crochet for any time at all without paying for it in pain. Since I've gone Keto, I can do the things I want! No inflammation! 🙂👍

[AzaleaBee]

Keeping my blood glucose low and ketones high is how I manage chronic pain (not arthritis related) without the myriad of prescription meds my doctors are all to eager to give me. Pain management is why I fast and eat low carb whole foods. Mitgating weight loss hopefully will never become a problem.

[cassieoz]

My chronic fibromyalgia and arthritis pain started to improve within two weeks of going keto. The 'it's just due to weight loss' is the eternal excuse of those who don't understand and really don't want to.

[saltrock]

You will spend the rest of your life having to explain the benefits of the ketogenic lifestyle. In addition to full body physical function and many other bodily functions it cures many things including sleep apnea to hemorrhoids, not at all kidding. The channel “Critical Bench” (sorry to call them out) just put out a video saying keto was a waste of time, not sustainable, not healthy and people shouldn’t do it. I’ve been living this way for 4 years so if I can do it anyone can. I’m not Superman but I’m 55 and sure feel like him because of “ketones”. Thanks Doc!