Joint effort

The claim: Some foods can ease arthritis pain
Patients with arthritis are often encouraged to steer clear of all sorts of foods. In one of the largest analyses of diet and various types of arthritis,researchers looked at data on more than 800 patients from 15 studies. They examined several diets popular among arthritis patients and found that the one that had the greatest effect was a Mediterranean-type diet emphasising foods like fruits,vegetables,grains,fish and olive oil,while limiting red meat. In 12 weeks,people on the diet reported about 15 per cent less pain,but no improvement in physical function or morning stiffness. A vegetarian diet that allowed eggs and dairy products had a similar effect.
In other studies,patients who were given daily capsules of fish oil to take along with their anti-rheumatic medications saw greater benefits for swollen and tender joints than patients given a placebo,apparently because of the oils anti-inflammatory properties.
Meanwhile,vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes,have long been said to contribute to arthritis pain. Some researchers have speculated that a group of compounds in the vegetables called alkaloids might worsen inflammation in sensitive people. But so far no solid studies have demonstrated this. Experts say a diet in which suspect foods are gradually removed should help patients identify any problematic foods.
The bottom line: There is some evidence that certain diets may help with arthritis symptoms.

SLEEP SICK
The claim: Lack of sleep increases the risk of catching a cold
Studies have demonstrated that poor sleep and susceptibility to colds go hand in hand,and scientists think it could be a reflection of the role sleep plays in maintaining the bodys defenses.
In a recent study for The Archives of Internal Medicine,scientists followed 153 men and women for two weeks,keeping track of their quality and duration of sleep. Then,during a five-day period,they quarantined the subjects and exposed them to cold viruses. Those who slept an average of fewer than seven hours a night,it turned out,were three times as likely to get sick as those who averaged at least eight hours.
Sleep and immunity,it seems,are tightly linked. Studies have found that mammals that require the most sleep also produce greater levels of disease-fighting white blood cells.
The bottom line: Research suggests that poor sleep can increase susceptibility to colds.
_ NYT