Arthritis

Arthritis refers to inflammation and degeneration of the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It includes both osteoarthritis—caused by wear, metabolic inflammation, and oxidative stress—and autoimmune forms such as rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system attacks joint tissue. Modern evidence links arthritis to systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, gut permeability, and microbiome dysbiosis, often driven by refined carbohydrate intake and obesity. Chronic oxidative stress and leaky gut allow bacterial toxins and inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) to damage cartilage and bone over time.