“Arthritis” we all know about it and many of us have it.
There are many different types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Old treatment mostly relies on medication however suggests including anti-inflammatory foods in your diet and limiting foods that can cause inflammation may help tremendously in managing arthritis.
Below is a list of foods to eat and to avoid to try this method of therapy.
Be Well,
Anisa
Fried and Processed Foods…
Researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine examined disease prevention through diet. In their 2009 study, they found that decreasing the amount of fried and processed foods eaten can “reduce inflammation and actually help restore the body’s natural defenses.”
Try This: Cut down on the amount of fried and processed foods you eat, such as fried meats and prepared frozen meals. Include more fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet.
Lower Your AGEs…
AGE doesn’t refer to how many birthdays you’ve celebrated. An advanced glycation end product (AGE) is a toxin that appears when foods are heated, grilled, fried, or pasteurized.
AGEs damage certain proteins in your body. Your body tries to break these AGEs apart by using cytokines, which are inflammatory messengers. Depending on where the AGEs occur, they may result in arthritis or other forms of inflammation.
Try This: Reduce the temperature of the food you cook.
Sugars and Refined Carbs…
High amounts of sugar in your diet result in an increase in AGEs, which can cause inflammation.
Try This: Cut out candies, processed foods, white flour baked goods, and sodas.
Dairy Products…
Dairy products may contribute to arthritis pain due to the type of protein they contain. For some people, this protein may irritate the tissue around their joints. Others living with arthritis have success switching to a vegan diet, which contains no animal products whatsoever.
However, a 2017 review claimed that milk has anti-inflammatory effects, except in people allergic to cow’s milk. The evidence is conflicting. If you’re concerned about your body’s reaction to dairy, eliminate it for a few weeks and then reintroduce it to see how you respond.
Try This: Instead of getting protein from meat and dairy, try getting most of your protein from vegetables like spinach, nut butters, tofu, beans, lentils, and quinoa to see if your symptoms improve.
Another thing to try is milk that is A2. Milk that is A2 is from a different cow (Brown Cows) and is said to be easier to digest and doesn’t effect people who are lactose intolerant or who have trouble processing the protein from the black and white cows.
Alcohol and Tobacco…
We all know that tobacco and alcohol are bad for us and can lead to a number of health problems, including some that may affect your joints. If you smoke, you’re at risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis. If you consume alcohol, you have a higher risk for developing gout.
Try This: Healthy joints require a balanced diet, physical activity, and an adequate amount of rest — all of which can be compromised by alcohol and tobacco use.
Consider cutting back on drinking and smoking. Make sure your daily activities include healthy meal choices, regular exercise, and quality sleep.
Salt and Preservatives…
Know what’s in your food. Many foods contain excessive salt and other preservatives to promote longer shelf lives. Excess consumption of salt may result in inflammation of your joints. Reducing your salt intake to as modest an amount as is reasonable may help.
Try This:Read labels to avoid preservatives and additives. Though they’re convenient, prepared meals are often very high in sodium.
In Closing…
There’s no established arthritis diet plan. What works for one person may not work for someone else. Trial and error will help you determine which foods you need to remove from your diet.
In general, experts advise people with arthritis to maintain a healthy body weight and eat a healthy diet to help reduce inflammation.