What Foods Help Arthritis?

What Foods Help Arthritis?

If you’ve found this blog article then chances are you may already have arthritis and know exactly what it is…

But maybe you’re looking for ways to help tackle arthritis for someone else?

Or just searching for ways to help alleviate the pain of arthritis?

So let’s take a quick look at exactly what it is and why food is so important to help the pain and stiffness that so often severely impacts people who have arthritis.

Arthritis tends to be an umbrella term for a group of conditions that all ultimately impact on the joints causing pain and disability to greater or lesser degrees.

It also doesn’t discriminate and can affect people of all age, sex and race although it does tend to become more frequent as we get older.

It can be degenerative and also be caused by inflammation that affects the joints whether due to infection or metabolism. It could be a result of an auto-immune condition like Rheumatoid Arthritis, where the body’s immune system turns on itself and attacks the joint linings.

It can be acute and respond to treatment in the short term or become chronic and debilitating in the longer term.

Arthritis can be helped by paying attention to the foods that we eat. Quite simply, eating a healthy, balanced diet can have a hugely positive effect on our bodies.

• Reducing weight reduces strain and therefore pain, in and on our joints.
• A balanced diet ensures stable blood sugars, preventing crashes and helping keep mood stable which ultimately assists you to stay on the straight and narrow with diet which may help keep pain levels low.
• Eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables balanced with appropriate portions of protein and carbohydrates can help prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer and help maintain healthy muscles and joints.
• Ensuring enough intake of both Calcium and Vitamin D can help with bone health and is especially indicated in post-menopausal women, elderly and those on steroid treatment. (It’s acknowledged that many people struggle to obtain enough Vitamin D from the sun and diet alone and so a supplement may be beneficial here).

So, what foods help prevent arthritis?

It is unlikely that Arthritis can be prevented by diet alone but it is reported that certain foods can certainly help with the symptoms.

As discussed above, Calcium can be hugely beneficial and also Vitamin D. Foods that contain these are –

• Oily fish like sardines, mackerel and salmon
• Milk and dairy products
• Egg yolks
• Kale and Spinach (leafy greens)
• Wild grown Mushrooms (do not pick unless educated in varieties)
• Some products like cereals, milk, juice and bread are fortified.

Foods that have anti-inflammatory properties should also be incorporated daily to help reduce symptoms of arthritis. These are –

• Strawberries, Blueberries, Red Grapes, Cherries and Oranges
• Tomatoes
• Olives and Oil
• Avocados and Oil
• Walnuts, Pistachios and Almonds
• Chia and Linseeds
• Green, leafy vegetables
• Oily fish
• Turmeric, Cinnamon and Ginger
• Garlic
• Gluten Free Wholegrains

Foods to beware of

It might be beneficial for you to be aware that there are foods that are thought to actively cause inflammation in the body and are best to avoid or greatly reduced. These are –

• Refined carbohydrates like white bread and sugar
• Fried foods
• Processed meats
• Sugary drinks
• Alcohol
• Saturated fats
• Corn and Peanut oil

Basically, try to limit or eliminate processed foods and fried foods with hydrogenated/Trans- fatty acids. Eat as fresh and rainbow diet as you can on a daily basis and you should begin to see a reduction in your arthritis symptoms over time. A good supplement such as CherryVita Active may also be of benefit.

Consistency is key!