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Treating Arthritis With Diet
Arthritis is characterized by inflammation of the joints. It results in swelling, stiffness and pain in the areas of the joints. The most common types of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, gout and osteoarthritis. There are different causes for these different types of arthritis. Arthritis can develop in individuals of any age and is considered to be a fairly common disorder.
Incorporating proper dietary habits is known to help alleviate the symptoms of those affected by arthritis. Diet is known to be beneficial in reducing the joint pain that arthritis causes. Similarly, certain consumption of certain foods is also known to aggravate the condition. This has not been clinically proven, but may individuals that live with this condition have observed that their symptoms are alleviated when they consume certain foods and avoid other foods.
Fatty foods and foods containing cholesterol such as poultry and red meat are best avoided. Milk, butter, cheese and other dairy products are rich in cholesterol and hence not advisable for those with arthritis. Phosphorus is believed to aggravate joint pain and hence refined wheat and wheat based foods must be avoided.
Some individuals have reported reduced pain and swelling of the joints after avoiding corn, bell pepper, egg plant and tomatoes. Sugary foods and foods that contain too much salt must also be refrained from. It is advisable to avoid sugary soft drinks and sodas and cookies.
Salty foods such as chips are also not beneficial. Caffeine and alcohol are known to worsen gout and must be stayed away from. Also avoid lemon, orange and other citrus fruits.
A purely vegetarian diet is believed to be helpful in the treatment of arthritis. As such it is advisable to avoid meat entirely or reduce its consumption. Foods that contain a high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega 3 fatty acids are very beneficial in easing joint pain and other symptoms of the condition. Omega 3 fatty acids are also contained in foods such as mackerel, salmon, tuna, herring, avocados, soybeans and walnuts. It is important to consume plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits as they are rich in many essential nutrients that are necessary for the general health of the body.
The role of the diet in aggravating or alleviating arthritis symptoms differs from one individual to another. Eating healthy complete meals and also maintaining one’s ideal body weight is important as this will exert less pressure on the joints, thereby helping in reducing discomfort.
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