Diet Tips in the Treatment of Arthritis

The general definition of arthritis is inflammation in the joints, but it may also attack body tissues such as tendons, ligament, muscles, and bones. There are some things that can be done to prevent the condition. However, in some instances a person is genetically predisposed to different types of arthritis. Other causes can include trauma or previous injuries, poor nutrition, obesity, or consistent bone and joint stress (such as heavy lifting). There are many different treatments to relieve symptoms of arthritis, or even to prevent symptoms from developing. These can include mild exercise, anti-inflammatory or analgesic medications, application of cold or hot packs to affected areas, and diet changes.

There are foods that are healthy in prevention of symptoms as well as some that should be avoided. Some foods can trigger or increase arthritis pain, or contribute to differential conditions that tend to make arthritis symptoms less manageable. For example, saturated and trans fats contribute to conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. In addition, they may cause a weight gain that causes more stress on arthritic joints, causing pain. The foods to avoid are dense red meats, such as organ meats, fried foods, butter, yellow cheeses, whole milk, eggs (limit these to one or two per week) and commercial baked goods such as cookies, donuts, or heavily sugared pies. Instead, eat more fish, white chicken, turkey, well-trimmed cuts of fresh meats, fresh vegetables and low-fat dairy products such as skimmed milk. This makes the diet more heart and weight healthy to prevent conditions that tend to worsen arthritic symptoms.



Another contributor to exacerbation (elevation) of arthritic symptoms is nightshade. There are several foods that contain this chemical, which can contribute to swelling in the joints causing or increasing arthritis pain. Foods to avoid include sweet and hot peppers, tomatoes or related foods in raw form, raw berries such as gooseberry, huckleberry, or ground cherries, and Tabasco sauce. Some people will not react to foods with nightshade in them if they are well-cooked. However, others are more sensitive to the chemical and will still have an increase in arthritis symptoms even with thorough cooking of the foods.

Foods containing gluten may also play a part in triggering symptoms of autoimmune types of arthritis, contributing to inflammation as well as blood conditions such as diabetes. Wheat and grain products are the biggest culprits. Luckily, gluten-free products are now available to help avoid any complications that would have come along with grain products. Gluten free solutions include cereals and breads, and they help patients avoid the effects of this mixture of proteins.

Finally, the arthritis sufferer should limit or eliminate alcohol consumption. Alcoholic beverages can interact with or lessen the effects of medications to control arthritic symptoms, and contributes to dehydration or loss of body fluids that contribute to comfortable joint movement. They also can contribute to depletion of calcium in the body for strong bones and heart function.

If you have arthritis or know someone who does, the tips above could potentially help you lead a healthier life. It may seem odd that your diet could impact your arthritis, but food has a major influence on the body. If you can successfully lead a healthy lifestyle, you may be able to eliminate a lot of the problems that could come along with your arthritis. Whether you're an executive assistant, a waitress, or a real estate agent, you can eat your way to a better feeling body.