Eating Right for Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is one of the most painful physical conditions and in addition to supplemental care, it also requires a proper kind of diet. Eating right for osteoarthritis is significant, to say the least because even the smallest lifestyle changes can be massively beneficial for reducing the extent of osteoarthritis symptoms most of which include severe pain, stiffness around the joint area, and the inflammation of joints.
The most common kind of arthritis, this physical condition affects more than 30 million individuals in the US alone. It is usually attributed to the eventual disintegration of cartilage around the joint area. As you would probably guess, osteoarthritis can have an impact on any specific joint in your system. However, it is best apparent in the knee area, along the hands, around your spine and hip joints.
As previously hinted, some symptoms of osteoarthritis can be reduced with the right kind of diet. And in this article, we will discuss it in detail.
The Role of Diet in Reducing Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Joint damage can be significantly reduced by consuming the right kind of diet and by taking quality health supplements. While a specific food may not necessarily help the cause and prevent osteoarthritis, you can always consume these food items to relieve the symptoms and reduce the extent of the pain. This is especially relevant for food that comes with anti-inflammatory properties. These foods not merely reduce the swollenness of joint, but also goes a long way in preventing long term damage.
To start with, you need to follow a balanced and highly nutritious diet, which again will prop your body with the right kind of tools for preventing eventual joint damage, which again is a vital aspect for people who are grappling with the pain.
Anti-inflammatory diet plans like the Mediterranean diet, for instance, plays a major role in reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis. To boost the process, you need to consume ample antioxidants like vitamins A, C, E, all of which collectively prevent joint damage.
In addition to following the right kind of diet, you also need to follow proper guidelines in reducing cholesterol. In case you are suffering from osteoarthritis, likely, you are also suffering from high cholesterol levels. A good solution here would be to consume foods that can lower the cholesterol level, and this is exactly what a good diet promises to offer you.
Finally, it is also vital to maintain a proper and healthy weight because obesity might exert excess pressure along the joint area, further worsening the instance of inflammation. When you maintain a healthy weight, the symptoms of osteoarthritis can be significantly reduced.
We understand that keeping a proper weight may be difficult for certain individuals, especially if they are already dealing with osteoarthritis. Since this condition impairs an individual's mobility, the best way to address the situation is by taking diet guidelines from your doctor. With that said, you can also embrace healthy lifestyle practices to bolster the change and improve your condition.
What Food Should You Consume?
When you are suffering from osteoarthritis, the best way to deal with the scenario is by consuming foods that can end up boosting your bone and muscle strength. Overall, you should completely focus on food that improves your body conditions and helps fight inflammation and a range of other ailments. People suffering from osteoarthritis might want to include the following few foods:
Fish: Try consuming plenty of fish especially the ones that are considered oily. An excellent option here would be salmon because it comes loaded with omega-three fatty acids which again help battle inflammation. Other than salmon, any oil fish, in general, will contain a range of these acids which prevent joint pain and reduce the swollenness of muscles.
If you are really suffering from this mobility issue and are looking to address it at the earliest, consider adding at least one portion of oily fish once in seven to ten days. Some common options would be a sardine, tuna, mackerel, and eel. In case you do not want to consume fish, you can always take supplements rich in omega-3 acids like fish oil. In some instances, krill and flaxseed oil might also do the task. Again, you can consume a range of nuts like walnuts, almonds, pumpkin, and chia seeds to reduce the extent of inflammation.
The Right kind of Oil: If you are heavily reliant on vegetable oil, replace it with olive oil (the extra virgin variant) for reducing inflammation and fighting cholesterol levels. With high doses of oleocanthal, this oil has just the same impact as any over the counter anti-inflammatory medication.
You can also consume oily fish, sunflower oil, and avocado oil for reducing cholesterol and inflammation symptoms.
Dairy Items: As with oily fish and olive oil, dairy items like milk and milk-based products come with copious amounts of calcium and Vitamin D. Both nutrients play a vital role in boosting overall bone strength which might help reduce some painful inflammation symptoms. What's more, since dairy also comes with plenty of proteins, your muscle-building process is significantly boosted.
Leafy Veggies: Rich in Vitamin D and a range of other antioxidants, leafy veggies help your body fight stress and reduce joint inflammation. The vitamin D present in these veggies further facilitates the absorption of calcium which is known for boosting your overall immune system. The result? Your body can now ward off infections faster. Among veggies, you might want to try collard greens, some amount of kale, and spinach.
Broccoli: Rich in sulforaphane, broccoli effectively reduces the extent of osteoarthritis. Since it is also rich in vitamins C and K, it ends up strengthening your bones more than ever.
Healthy beverages: You can also try consuming healthy beverages like green tea that come with high amounts of antioxidants. Thanks to these properties, the extent of cartilage damage is reduced, and inflammation too is significantly prevented.
Bottom Line
Now that you know which food items to consume, wait no further and add them to your diet right away for reduced joint pain and better treatment of osteoarthritis.