You’ve heard the term arthritis many times, but you may not realize that arthritis isn’t just one disease — the term refers to joint pain or joint disease, and includes more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions.
Almost 60 million adults and 300,000 kids in the United States are affected by arthritis, so the chances are good that you or someone you love is fighting the effects of the condition. One good way to begin the fight is to eat an arthritis-friendly diet.
There’s no miracle diet that will automatically take your joint pain away, but you can eat foods that fight inflammation, which in turn helps improve joint pain and other symptoms. Here are a few guidelines for this type of diet, brought to you by the team at The Painless Center.
The main idea is to eat a diet rich in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and beans. You want to avoid highly processed foods and saturated fats. Not only is this diet good for your overall health, it’s great for fighting inflammation and disease. Here are a few more specifics:
Several types of fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are effective in reducing inflammation and reducing joint swelling and pain. Focus on salmon, tuna, sardines, herring, scallops, and other cold-water fish. If you’re not a fan of fish, taking fish oil supplements can give you similar results.
They include tons of antioxidants, which boost the body’s natural defense systems. Citrus fruits are especially high in Vitamin C, which has been shown to prevent inflammation and help maintain healthy joints. Look for colorful fruits and vegetables — the darker or more brilliant their color, the more antioxidants they have.
Multiple studies have shown the important role nuts play in reducing inflammation. They’re full of monounsaturated fats, which are great inflammation fighters. Aim for about 1.5 ounces every day of walnuts, pistachios, almonds, or pine nuts.
Several other foods can help in the fight against arthritis as well. Olive oil includes heart healthy fats and oleocanthal, which has properties similar to anti-inflammatory drugs. Beans have tons of fiber, which helps lower an indicator of inflammation in the blood. They’re also a good source of protein and antioxidants. Whole grains and nightshade vegetables (such as tomatoes and potatoes) are also excellent in the fight against disease.
If you need more help and guidance in your battle against arthritis, the experts at The Painless Center are happy to help. Just call one of their two offices, or book your own appointment with the convenient online scheduler today!
