In addition, the people in both groups usually stay on their regular medical treatment programs during the study. Researchers measure the amount of improvement in each person by several different ways, such as the amount of swelling in each joint. Then they compare the total improvement between the two groups to see if the test diet made a difference. Other researchers repeat the study three or four times in other groups of people with arthritis to see if they get the same results. Only then do researchers accept the treatment as effective.
Some people claim that special diets, foods, or supplements cause or cure arthritis.
These claims usually appear in magazine articles, books, and on talk shows. Most claims for such diets have not been scientifically tested to prove that they work and are safe. Some claims for special diets for arthritis are health frauds. There is no scientific evidence for the claims. Other findings are still under study.