Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) is a chronic condition that results in pain on the lateral aspect of the hip. It commonly affects women aged 40 to 60, especially those who are overweight or have underlying hip conditions. While physiotherapy and chiropractic care can help reduce the symptoms of GTPS but with a registered dietitian or naturopath, they can help you learn that avoiding certain foods can also contribute to the management of the condition. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the foods to avoid with greater trochanteric pain syndrome.
Sugar and high-fructose corn syrup
Sugary foods and drinks are not only bad for your overall health, but they can also cause inflammation in the body. Some studies have shown a link between high sugar intake and chronic pain conditions, including GTPS. That’s because sugar and high-fructose corn syrup can trigger the release of inflammatory mediators that worsen pain. To reduce your sugar intake, avoid soda, candy, cakes, and other processed sweets.
Trans fats and fried foods
Trans fats are found in processed foods, including fried foods, baked goods, and margarine. These fats are known to cause inflammation and increase the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions. When it comes to GTPS, trans fats can worsen pain by promoting inflammation in the hips. To minimize your intake of trans fats, opt for healthy fats found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and oily fish.
Gluten and dairy
While there’s no scientific evidence that gluten and dairy directly cause GTPS, some people with the condition report an improvement in symptoms when they eliminate these foods from their diet. That’s because gluten and dairy can cause inflammation and digestive issues in some individuals. If you suspect that gluten or dairy is contributing to your pain, try eliminating these foods from your diet for a few weeks and see if your symptoms improve.
Alcohol and caffeine
Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics that can dehydrate the body and worsen inflammation. Alcohol has also been shown to interfere with sleep, which can exacerbate pain in people with GTPS. To reduce your intake of these substances, limit your alcohol consumption to one or two drinks per week and avoid caffeine in the evenings.
Nightshades
Nightshades are a family of plants that include tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and peppers. While there’s no definitive evidence that nightshades cause or worsen GTPS, some people with the condition report an improvement in symptoms when they eliminate these foods from their diet. That’s because nightshades contain solanine, a compound that may contribute to inflammation in some individuals.
In summary, making dietary changes can be an effective way to manage the symptoms of greater trochanteric pain syndrome. By avoiding sugar, trans fats, gluten, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, and nightshades, you can reduce inflammation in the body and improve your overall health. However, it’s important to note that dietary changes should be made with a dietitian or naturopath and in conjunction with other forms of treatment, such as physiotherapy and chiropractic care. If you’re experiencing pain in your hips, talk to your healthcare provider to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Bhavin Mistry, BASc, MAN, RD or another Kitchener dietitian at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
