About 2 years ago as a robust 71-year-old male I started getting mild hip joint pain which over 4 months gradually worsened whereby the pain became excruciating simply walking up 5 stairs. I purposely didn’t take any pain killers during that time and I thought my ‘balanced’ diet was OK. For the past 30 years, didn’t smoke, consume alcohol or coffee. And from 6 years ago only drinking copious quantities of green tea without milk or sugar.

Anyway, the pain was too much to bear. A visit to my local GP said its arthritis – its inflammation and age related and prescribed a drug to alleviate the pain. With some initial reluctance, as no other alternative was suggested, I followed the Dr’s instructions. After 4 days the pain disappeared.

Two weeks later as arranged I returned to see the Dr. I asked how long do I continue taking this drug. He replied “Forever!” I replied, “No, that’s not acceptable. I don’t want to be taking a drug for the rest of my life” – like I’m thinking another 25 – 30 years as that’s my forecast on my family history of longevity. I continued with the drug daily for a further 2 weeks and over the first seven days I searched the internet on arthritis and possible causes of inflammation.

The conclusion was certain food groups may be causing the inflammation. I immediately ceased consuming eggs, all dairy, all breads, tomatoes, potatoes, (white) rice, peanut butter.

And I took the prescribed drug every second day for an additional two weeks to ease the pain but moreso to help determine and isolate which food group was causing the inflammation and pain.

Over a period of four months, without the drugs and consuming these foods I purposely eliminated, the hip pain gradually lessened and virtually disappeared. I was very pleased and continued to enjoy pain relief over the next few months.

I had a desire to re consume some of these foods which I previously enjoyed, then I needed to isolate which food caused the arthritic effect and pain. I subsequently introduced one of each food group back into my diet every 4 – 6 weeks and consumed it daily waiting for an adverse effect. When after a month the pain did not return, I returned that food group back into my diet.

The final outcome! The culprit was rice and potatoes – complex starches. When I re introduced them back into my diet the pain would gradually return with growing intensity over 3-4 weeks. Then I waited 6 weeks for the pain to go and re introduce another food group. Overall, the whole re introduction process took about 12 months.

So, for the past 2 years I have been pain free and intend to keep it that way. On the rare occasion I would have maybe a bowl of rice and some potato fries without any adverse effects. The old adage of moderation, not excess, hold true.