The Link Between Your Diet and Arthritis
Your diet is one of the most powerful tools in your fight against arthritis pain and slow-progressive joint damage. What can food do to make a difference in your life? How to increase or decrease inflammation
Because the severity and speed of joint damage can be affected by how much inflammation you have, it is important to control it.
Florida Medical Pain Management specializes in the relief of your symptoms through a combination of advanced interventional therapies, physical medicine, and lifestyle changes.
This blog is designed to provide you with information and tips that will help you plan anti-inflammatory meals to improve your health.
Both inflammation and arthritis are interrelated
Osteoarthritis, which is caused by cartilage loss, is more commonly known as degenerative arthritis. But as osteoarthritis causes joint damage, inflammation develops.
Rheumatoid is an autoimmune condition that causes severe joint inflammation. If the inflammation isn’t controlled, it can gradually erode the bones and cause deformities. It can also spread throughout the body.
Around 40% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis experience inflammatory problems in their eyes and heart.
Arthritis diet basics
Before you start researching the best anti-inflammatory diet for you, it is important to understand that certain types of arthritis require specific dietary guidelines.
For example, Gout can flare up more if you consume organ meats such as liver, red meat, shellfish, and sardines. If your arthritis requires a special diet, your rheumatologist can let you know.
There are two main steps to follow for all types of arthritis. You should first plan meals packed with anti-inflammatory food, and then limit the intake of foods that can cause inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory foods for arthritis
A healthy and balanced diet that is anti-inflammatory follows the DASH eating plan or the Mediterranean diet. Both diets include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as well as beans, legumes, seeds, nuts, fish, and lean proteins.
To get you started, we created these lists of the top inflammation-fighting foods:
Fruits
Fruits are rich in essential nutrients and fiber as well as powerful anti-inflammatory agents like antioxidants and phytonutrients.
The phytonutrients found in plants have an impact on your health. To name a few, they actively reduce inflammation and boost cell communication. They also prevent cancer.
The following are some of the top fruit options:
Blueberries
Blackberries
Oranges
Cherries
Strawberries
Apples
Grapefruit
Pomegranates
Pineapples
The US Department of Agriculture recommends that adults consume one to two cups of fruit each day.
Vegetables
Vegetables are rich in nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C and vitamin K. Vegetables also contain unique phytonutrients. These are some of the most effective options for combating inflammation:
Broccoli
Tomatoes
Beets
Carrots
Bell peppers
Mushrooms
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Dark green leafy vegetables (spinach and kale).
Adult women should aim for two to three cups of vegetables per day as part of their overall diet. Men need three to four cups.
Omega-3 fatty acids
The powerful ability of Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation is a testament to their effectiveness. Cold water fish are the best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, which include:
Salmon
Sardines
Mackerel
Herring
Cod
Lake trout
Canned, light tuna
Unsaturated fats like olive, peanut, sunflower, and canola oils are better than other types of fats. They are also anti-inflammatory.
Avoid inflammatory foods
Limiting inflammation in your diet is a good idea.
Refined carbs include white bread, white rice, and white flour.
Sweets
Fried foods
Red meat
Meat processed
High-fructose and sugar-sweetened beverages
This article was written by a medical professional at Florida Medical Pain Management. Florida Medical Pain Management is proud to offer comprehensive Pain Management In Clearwater to a diverse group of patients. Patients at Florida Medical Pain Management can get help managing hip, knee, leg, and neck pain. The practice also offers comprehensive arthritis management, along with treatments for auto accidents, sports, and work injuries.