Arthritis Diet
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with arthritis, you may be shocked at one of your doctor’s recommendations: an arthritis diet. Why is diet important in helping to treat arthritis? It’s for three reasons. First, a proper arthritis diet can help strengthen the bones, making them less susceptible to the type of inflammation that occurs with arthritis. Secondly, a proper arthritis diet can help boost the immune system, since some types of arthritis are caused by bacterial infections. Finally, a proper arthritis diet can help you lose weight. And losing weight is important because it places less stress on your joints. So, what foods do you need to eat to encompass all of these areas of concern? Read on as this article will provide some suggestions.
Strengthening the Bones
The first approach when it comes to an arthritis diet is general strengthening of the bones. The best way to do this is through calcium. Milk, cheese and yogurt are examples of foods that are naturally high in this nutrient. If you are lactose-intolerant, you can get lactose-free milk. However, to eat cheese or yogurt, you will need to consider getting Lactaid, a medication that helps counteract the effects of lactose intolerance.
Another way you can strengthen the bones in an arthritis diet is by eating fish oils. Fish oils help to decrease the inflammation associated with arthritis, helping to make them stronger. An example of a commonly consumed fish oil is cod liver oil. You can also get fish oils through fish that contain high levels of Omega 3 nutrients, such as salmon or tuna. Yet, don’t go overboard with fish consumption, since it is possible to get mercury poisoning with certain types of fish.
Boosting the Immune System
The next goal of the arthritis diet is to strengthen the immune system. One way this can be achieved is through Vitamin C. Citrus fruit such as oranges, grapefruits and lemons are very high in Vitamin C. You can consider drinking juice to help get your Vitamin C, but don’t drink too much, since juices tend to be high in sugar. Instead, try to increase your consumption of actual fruits. For example, instead of eating a candy bar as a snack or a desert, considering eating a piece of fruit.
Fruits and vegetables also offer another advantage in the arthritis diet: antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that help boost the immune system by ridding the body of free radicals and other undesirable materials that could result in illness. Some fruits and vegetables have a very high amount of antioxidants. An example is broccoli. Additionally, you can also get a healthy dose of antioxidants in tea.
Losing Weight
Finally, a good arthritis diet will help a person lose weight. Eating the above-mentioned foods will provide some assistance with this, but you will also want to limit how many carbohydrates and high-fat foods you consume. But don’t eliminate either completely. Instead, eat healthier forms of these foods. For example, eat whole-grain bread or pasta. As far as fat, eat the type that is polyunsaturated, since this is the type that not only helps keep you full but will also help fight bad cholesterol.
Special Arthritis Diets
People who have arthritis are usually advised to go on a special diet which includes eating whole grain, fruits, vegetables, milk and yoghurt. This diet will make your bones grow stronger, help you lose weight if you are currently overweight and can boost your immune system.
Arthritis Treatments
Although arthritis isn’t life threatening it can cause serious pain and often doctors can’t help suffers with a suitable treatment. Drugs can be given as a treatment however they can only help a small amount of people with arthritis, you may want to consider surgery or a change to your lifestyle as instead.