Arthritis Food To Eat And To Avoid To Help Keep You Healthy
Arthritis refers to a painful condition of the joints accompanied by inflammation and swelling. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, genetics, stress, hormonal imbalance and even injuries. It is an extremely painful and irritating condition and affects about 1 in 7 Americans.
Sure enough, there are drugs that treat arthritis, but did you know that arthritis could also be kept in check by eating the right kind of food? On the other hand, certain foods can aggravate arthritis. Here then is a list of such arthritis foods that you must include in your diet and foods that you must avoid.
Foods that keeps arthritis in check
The following foods have high alkaline content, which helps in the reducing your arthritis. However, if you are allergic to any of these, then you must stay off them. In any case, it makes sense to consult your physician and nutritionist before overhauling your diet. 1. Fruits and vegetables: These contain antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that help eliminate chemicals and toxins that can contribute to arthritis. Your daily diet must include plenty of fruits and vegetables that are rich in Vitamin C. Some examples: apples, oranges, tomatoes, spinach, avocado and broccoli. 2. Foods rich in calcium: Calcium intake plays a big role in fortifying bones. Some foods that are rich in calcium include milk (go only for skimmed milk), Soya milk and fish. Remember that you must not overindulge in dairy products and when you are consuming fish, ensure that it is not accompanied by fatty gravies or is not deep-fried. 3. Water: Drinking plenty of water daily keeps the body well hydrated, and helps in reducing arthritic pain. 4. Whole grain foods: Whole grain foods contain all the parts of a grain - bran, germ and endosperm, which can help controlling arthritic pain by supplying quality nutrients to the body. Refined grains take away up to 90% of the goodness of the whole grain food. Foods that you must avoid Foods having a high acidic are the main villains you must keep away from your diet. For example, the extremely painful gout arthritis is caused due to deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints. Here are some examples of foods that you must strictly lay off - eggs, meat (red), fats, sugar, chocolates, fried food, fast food, refined grain foods, excessive salt, colas and, of course, alcohol. For gout, all proteins rich in purines (e.g., liver, kidneys, brain, seafood like caviar, sardines, mackerel, beer, etc.) must be completely avoided Herbal and dietary supplements can help too It is not just foods that have a bearing on arthritis, even natural supplements can help in fighting arthritis by boosting immunity. However, you must remember that all supplements can alter the way the body functions; therefore, it is best to consult your physician before you take them. Herbs such as willow bark and ginger are known for their anti-inflammatory properties while Feverfew and Cat's Claw are known to help too. Dietary supplements ideal for arthritis are Chondroitin, Glucosamine and fish oil. Vitamin B can help too. These herbs and dietary supplements work by relieving pain and by boosting the immune system that can help stop the degeneration of bones. To conclude, there is no magic bullet that can cure arthritis, but following a diet rich in arthritis foods, exercising daily and avoiding unhealthy foods can make a huge difference. Banish Your Arthritis Condition Naturally - from the comfort and privacy of your own home
|