Add debilitating bone disease to the growing list of ailments attributed to ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Previous research has firmly linked UPFs, which encompass a wide range of products such as packaged snacks, sugary drinks, mass-produced bread, fruit yogurt, certain breakfast cereals, and meat alternatives, to a plethora of adverse health effects. From obesity and diabetes to heart disease, depression, and dementia, the impact is extensive. Now, new research indicates that the path to an early grave may be even more painful as UPFs could play a significant role in the development of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Understanding Osteoarthritis and Its Causes

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is primarily triggered by the wear and tear on the protective layer of cartilage on the ends of our bones. It's similar to the gradual wearing down of the tread on a tire. Dr. Vinay K. Aggarwal, a hip and knee reconstruction specialist at NYU Langone, recently informed The Post that osteoarthritis is most commonly seen in hip joints, causing pain in the groin and sides, and in knee joints, leading to pain in the front, sides, or back.Studies have shown that every extra pound of body weight can exert increased pressure on knee joints, generating four to six times the force on those joints. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.

The Impact of UPF Intake on Thigh Muscles

In the most recent study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), researchers focused specifically on the relationship between UPF intake and intramuscular thigh fat. Dr. Zehra Akkaya, the study author and a former Fulbright Scholar in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco, explained that this is the first imaging study to look into the relationship between MRI-based skeletal muscle quality and the quality of diet.The team analyzed data from subjects at risk for but not yet affected by osteoarthritis. Out of the 666 individuals assessed (455 men and 211 women), with an average age of 60 and mostly overweight with an average BMI of 27, approximately 40% of the foods they consumed in the past year were ultra-processed. In contrast, recent research has shown that 60% of Americans' daily caloric intake comes from ultra-processed foods.Researchers found that the more UPFs people consumed, the more intramuscular fat they had in their thigh muscles. This was true regardless of the number of calories consumed or whether they were physically active. Akkaya stated, "In an adult population at risk for but without knee or hip osteoarthritis, consuming ultra-processed foods is linked to increased fat within the thigh muscles."

Modifiable Factors in Knee Osteoarthritis Management

Specific factors that accelerate osteoarthritis, such as age and genetic predisposition, are beyond our control. However, as this study highlights, the management of knee osteoarthritis depends on modifiable factors like a healthy diet that limits UPFs. Akkaya emphasized, "Osteoarthritis is an increasingly prevalent and costly global health issue. Since this condition is highly linked to obesity and unhealthy lifestyle choices, there are potential avenues for lifestyle modification and disease management."Akkaya is hopeful that by demonstrating the relationship between UPFs and muscle composition, people will make more informed dietary decisions. Understanding this relationship could have significant clinical implications as it provides a new perspective on how diet quality affects musculoskeletal health.A previous large-scale study found that medications like Ozempic and Wegovy can significantly reduce knee pain for those with moderate to severe osteoarthritis. This further emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of osteoarthritis through a combination of diet and medication.