By incorporating the right foods into your diet, you can potentially reduce inflammation, boost your immune system, and promote healthy bones and cartilage. In this article, we will explore some of the best foods for arthritis and how they can benefit those living with this condition.
Arthritis
Best defined, arthritis is the inflammation of the joints. It describes conditions that cause pains and inflammation of the joints and their surrounding connective tissues, affecting or impeding the normal functioning of the joints. It is the rheumatic condition inflicting pain, aches, swelling, and stiffness to the sufferer’s joints.
Arthritis has different forms, with osteoarthritis being the commonest amongst rheumatoid arthritis, Fibromyalgia. Rheumatoid arthritis is a terrible condition with its symptoms and affects spreading to and affecting other organs in the body. Arthritis, a condition that affects individuals of different ages, is more common in adults 60 years and above, causing pain and discomfort.
Arthritis is a condition caused by some factors that can still be avoided to prevent the condition. Some of the causes of arthritis include;
Wear and Tear of overused joints: this is osteoarthritis, common with aged adults
Obesity: excess body weight can also cause arthritis.
Injuries
Weakness of the muscles can also cause osteoarthritis.
Genes: It is seen that people with a history of arthritis also suffer from the condition.
Autoimmune diseases
Symptoms Of Arthritis
Arthritis is a terrible condition causing utmost discomfort to sufferers. The common symptoms are usually Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Symptoms can be very intense, especially standing after a long period of rest and in the morning when getting up from bed. Other symptoms include:
Clicking or popping with bending
Instability of joints
Scraping feelings around the knees
Pains during motions.
Best Foods/Diets That Alleviate Arthritis
It has been observed that while there are no special foods that can treat arthritis, there are some which help to limit the effects of the inflammation and reduce the pain. Some of these diets include:
Nuts
It has been observed that nuts such as peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pecans help to reduce the inflammation of arthritis. Nuts contain a high amount of calcium, vitamin E, Omega-3, which exert anti-inflammatory effects in the body.
Berries
Fruits are known to be high in antioxidants that fight pain. Berries are natural foods that come with loads of anti-inflammatory effects. Foods with berry contents reduce inflammation of bones and joints.
Fatty Fish
Fatty fishes such as mackerel, tuna, and so on contain a high amount of vitamin D and omega-3, which are anti-inflammatory. It is recommended that you take fatty fish or fish oil (non-fish eaters) every week; they help reduce inflammation.
Garlic And Onions
Vegetable foods such as garlic and onions are known to contain chemical constituents that are anti-inflammatory. They help reduce pains and arthritic effects generally in man.
Olive Oil
Olive or virgin oil contains a high amount of anti-inflammatory and healthy fats to man. They contain contents of vitamin D, which helps to reduce arthritic effects.
