Dairy Free Diet - Any experiences/advice?

Hello C

I've not heard of this - but I can't see how/why it might work for OA damaged joints (unless the idea is that it might reduce some of the inflammation around the joints). I have RA (rather than OA) but will be interested to see what others say. Just a cautionary note which you have probably already thought of - if you cut out dairy you will have to work really hard to ensure that you get sufficient calcium to help prevent osteoporosis.

Tillyxxx

This is a new one on me, too, though I have seen, and tried, other 'arthritis diets'. (None worked.) Like the others I'd have thought that the calcium intake would have to be carefully planned. I can't see how depleting the calcium in one's diet would help at all. The only dietary thing that I believe is proven to help a little with OA is oily fish - sardines, pilchards, mackerel, tuna and salmon. Please be careful, chrissiewissie. Who recommended it?

I've read that there is a certain amount of evidence that allergies to foods can make RA and OA worse, and dairy foods are common culprits. Some time ago I tried an elimination diet, adding in foods until I found what made things worse. It worked for me for a while, but I had to give up milk (but cheese was ok), eggs, oranges, and bananas. It worked for a while, then my OA got a lot worse, ending up with my recent TKRs. So I suspect it reduces inflammation, but not cartilage damage; that would make sense. So it might be worth a try.

Giving up dairy products won't do you any harm apart from being careful you get enough calcium, as others have said. I've been vegetarian and intolerant to many milk products for over 40 years, and I generally use soya products anyway as I actively dislike the taste of milk. It's never hurt me; in fact, my surgeon said my bones were extremely strong. But I do take calcium tablets, and I have for years. I suggest you do the same. It's best to take them with magnesium for best absorption - Holland and Barrett have that combination, as does the Nature's Best catalogue.

Take care and good luck.

Helen

Sticky, I've no idea. The diet had me adding in foods one at a time, and cheese didn't affect my knees, which were lots better by then, but milk did. In fact, all my life I've had nasty intolerance symptoms with milk, but not with cheese, and especially not hard cheese. I can only speculate that whatever is done to turn milk into cheese neutralises whatever I'm allergic to or intolerant of, but I don't actually know.

I am dairy-free! But mine is due to be lactose intolerant, But I don't have milk, cheese, cream and Ice Cream. I've been doing it for a few years now and don't miss dairy. I have tried lactose free milk shakes but found it tasted weird. I've also tried Alpro soya milk which was alright but didn't taste nice heated for porridage and made lumpy porridage. I would rather go without.