Seventy percent of Americans are obese, and obesity is the most common reason why people develop osteoarthritis. We all know the value of following a balanced, nutritious diet, as this is the best means to keep your body healthy and free from disease. Therefore, if you suffer from this form of arthritis, it makes sense to follow a diet which will help you to lose weight and in the process ease much of the pressure on your hips and knees, which are the two parts of the body that are most likely to be affected by osteoarthritis. Including certain foods and supplements in your diet is also a great way to relieve the inflammation and help your body’s tissue to mend.
Some people with osteoarthritis will benefit from eating an anti-inflammatory style of diet. Although osteoarthritis is generally not considered to be an inflammatory form of the disease, there is a certain amount of inflammation involved in it. Here’s what you should eat and avoid if you’re going to adopt this style of eating:
- Choose whole, natural foods as much as possible and avoid processed food products.
- Consume whole grains such as wheat, barley, oats, brown rice, and millet.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are useful for reducing inflammation. You can find them in many nuts and seeds, as well as in certain kinds of fish such as herring, salmon, sardines, and tuna.
- Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps to minimize damage to the tissues. It can be found in corn, beef, egg yolks, nuts, wheat germ and sunflower oil. Antioxidants are useful for reducing the quantity of cytokines in your bloodstream, which help to ease the pain of inflammation.
- Vitamin C is another important antioxidant that can be found in melons, citrus fruits, kiwi fruits, pineapple, blueberries and strawberries. In fact, you should eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to get as many different vitamins as possible.
- Other foods you should try to include in your diet include seaweed, soy, spirulina, and sprouts.
- Restrict your use of partially hydrogenated oils and polyunsaturated vegetable oils.
- Avoid alcohol, coffee, and sugar.
Some experts advise that you remove all inflammatory foods from your diet, including dairy products, wheat, and nightshade plants (eggplant, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes) for a period of a month. If you find that your condition has improved, slowly reintroduce them one at a time so you can establish which particular foods are aggravating your condition.
You may also wish to consider taking certain nutritional supplements to enhance the effects of your new style of eating. These include Vitamins C, D and E, selenium, zinc, and copper. Fish oils, turmeric and ginger are other good choices.
Occasional fasting might also be of benefit. Fasting improves the cleansing and elimination abilities of the kidneys, liver, lungs, and skin. It also calms the digestive system and helps it function more effectively.
With the right diet, many people who suffer from the pain of osteoarthritis are able to see a significant improvement in their condition. Be sure to discuss any changes to your eating habits and any supplements you plan to take with your doctor before proceeding.
