Ankylosing Spondylitis Diet

The Proper Diet for People with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis Diet

Eating a healthy diet can help control your symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. A healthy diet includes foods that keep your heart healthy, your bones strong and foods that help fight inflammation. Your body has a unique response to what you eat, so take your approach one step further by tracking your response to what you eat. The Spondylitis Association of America recommends people with ankylosing spondylitis should keep a diary of what they eat to find out which foods make their symptoms worse and if any help makes them feel better.

It's been proven so many times that proper eating habits and following a healthy diet can help relieve symptoms which are associated with ankylosing spondylitis.

Although a healthy diet plan for ankylosing spondylitis can keep the condition at bay, it will also help maintain and/or reduce our weight.

A healthy diet for ankylosing spondylitis revolves around some fundamentals. People with ankylosing spondylitis need to maintain a healthy weight, eat foods that are high in Vitamin D and Calcium, as well as foods can reduce inflammation in the body.

Ankylosing Spondylitis Diet: Healthy Foods

To be as healthy as possible with ankylosing spondylitis, you should eat:

Fruits and vegetables: Plenty of vegetables and fruits. These are high in antioxidants, especially the brightly colored varieties. Research has shown that antioxidants may help with symptoms of arthritis and conditions like ankylosing spondylitis by protecting the cells from dangerous "free radicals." These toxic substances contribute to the inflammation of ankylosing spondylitis.

Whole grains: Research has also shown that whole grains, unlike white grains which are processed, are good for your heart. In addition to affecting your joints, ankylosing spondylitis inflammation can also affect your heart. Whole grains like buckwheat, quinoa and brown rice are an excellent addition to a heart-healthy diet.

Fluids: Everyone needs at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily and alcohol should be limited to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks daily for men. This is especially important for those with ankylosing spondylitis and other bone disorders as alcohol has been shown to contribute to bone weakening.

Omega-3 fatty acids: These are fats that can help reduce inflammation. They are found in cold-water fish and also in fish oil supplements. In one study, people with a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis who took a higher dose of omega-3 supplements were found to have a greater decrease in symptoms than those who took a lower dose. Include at least one of the following omega-3 rich foods in your daily diet if you have ankylosing spondylitis:

- Cold-water fish like tuna or salmon,

- Walnuts,

- Flax seeds,

- Brussels sprouts, spinach, salad greens or kale,

- Soybean, flaxseed or canola oil.

Dietary supplements: Consider taking a supplement that contains calcium and vitamin D if you have ankylosing spondylitis. Any condition that decreases mobility can eventually lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that makes bones fragile and more likely to fracture. Fortified cereals and dairy foods are a good source of calcium. If you have ankylosing spondylitis, ask your physician if you could benefit from vitamin D supplements.

Ankylosing Spondylitis Diet: Foods To Avoid

Foods that contain high amounts of fat and are high in cholesterol should be limited in a healthy diet for ankylosing spondylitis. Foods that are high in cholesterol and saturated fats not only can raise your risk of heart disease, they may also promote inflammation and worsen the symptoms of arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

If you have ankylosing spondylitis, it's best to avoid foods that may make inflammation of the joints and spine worse than it already is. With that said, here are some types of the food that people with ankylosing spondylitis need to avoid:

- alcohol,

- fats,

- sugars,

- starches,

- preservatives,

- foods high in sodium.

Alcohol may not be very bad for people with ankylosing spondylitis if consumed in moderation, however, it can delay your treatment and recovery from ankylosing spondylitis.

Most alcoholic drinks contain a lot of sugar which promotes further inflammation. Additionally, too much alcohol in the system can affect the stomach, liver, and intestines from absorbing the nutrients needed by the body including nutrients that may be able to reduce inflammation.

Foods with large amounts of sugar, sodium, and fats promote inflammation in the body which is why it's important to keep in mind that these types of food should be avoided.

Some research suggests that a diet that's low in starches can help reduce inflammation and help keep ankylosing spondylitis at bay. Although it's not yet conclusive, there are certain types of bacteria in the stomach and intestines which can trigger ankylosing spondylitis because the bacteria use starches as a fuel source. In short, decreasing your intake of starches in your diet can help prevent the elimination of the bacteria which causes ankylosing spondylitis.

You might also like to read:
- Flexibility tests,
- Laboratory tests.

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Questions & Answers

What is the best way to treat permanent back and neck pain and stiffness?

Age2B

Here are some tips:

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep with a cervical pillow

Orthopedic or cervical pillows are made with special contours to support the space beneath the neck and head. They are also more concave for the head and provide more support to the neck.

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep on your back

The best position to lie to sleep is on your back. If you sleep on your stomach or on your side, make sure your pillow is not too thick. It should raise your head no more than 4 to 6 inches. This will keep your neck and head from turning to either side.

Neck Pain Tips: Position your computer screen at eye level

While you are working at a computer, sit comfortably in your chair with your computer in front of you. Close your eyes and then open them. When you open your eyes, you should see the middle of the computer screen. If your gaze is not in the middle of the screen, adjust the height of the screen using items like books.

To keep your head from gradually drifting forward, take frequent breaks to stretch. Getting up to walk around at least once every half-hour is one of the best neck pain tips.

Neck Pain Tips: Use a telephone headset

Never hold a phone between your shoulder and your ear. Use a headset or other hands-free system to talk on the phone and avoid abusing your neck and spine.

Neck Pain Tips: Exercise your neck muscles

One of the best neck pain tips is using the chin tuck. You can do this often throughout the day. In addition to helping strengthen the muscles that hold the head in alignment over the shoulders, it also helps strengthen the scalene and sub-occipital muscles.

Age2B

4 answers

What is the best treatment for neck pain and shoulder Pain?

Age2B

One of the best treatment for neck pain and shoulder pain is exercises:

Neck Pain Exercises: Neck Extension

To begin this neck pain exercise, sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
Looking straight ahead, tuck your chin slightly (starting position)
Place the palm of your hand on the back of your neck, at the base of your head
Apply slight forward pressure with your hand, while resisting the forward motion of your neck and head
Hold for a count of 5 and return to the starting position and relax
Repeat the neck pain exercises 5-10 times

Neck pain exercises: Side bend

Sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
Looking straight ahead, tuck your chin slightly (starting position)
Place your left hand, palm down, on the left side of your head (around your ear)
Slightly push your head to the right side with your hand, while resisting the sideways motion of your neck and head
Hold for a count of 5 and return to the starting position and relax.
Repeat 5-10 times
Repeat the neck pain exercises with the other side.

Neck pain exercises: Neck flexion

Sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
Looking straight ahead, tuck your chin slightly (starting position)
Place the tips of your fingers on your forehead
Slightly push your head backward with your fingers, while resisting the backward motion of your neck and head
Hold for a count of 5 and return to the starting position and relax.
Repeat the neck pain exercises 5-10 times

More exercises here: Neck Pain Exercises

Age2B

4 answers

How do I reduce the shoulder and neck pain?

Age2B

Here are some tips:

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep with a cervical pillow

Orthopedic or cervical pillows are made with special contours to support the space beneath the neck and head. They are also more concave for the head and provide more support to the neck.

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep on your back

Neck Pain Tips: Position your computer screen at eye level

To keep your head from gradually drifting forward, take frequent breaks to stretch. Getting up to walk around at least once every half-hour is one of the best neck pain tips.

Neck Pain Tips: Carry weight evenly

Many people make the mistake of carrying a heavy briefcase or their purse on their shoulder or on one side of their body. Doing this causes strain in the muscles and leads to pain.

Remove non-essentials from your briefcase or purse. Consider using a backpack to evenly distribute the weight across your shoulders. If you choose to carry a purse or backpack, keep your shoulders level while carrying it.

Neck Pain Tips: Maintain a proper posture

The most common posture contributing to neck pain is the “head-and-shoulders-forward” posture. In this position, the neck slopes forward, putting the head in front of the shoulders.

In this position, the head pulls the upper back forward also in a slumped position. This places a strain on the entire spinal column.

More tips here: Neck Pain Tips: Sleeping, Posture, Exercising, Hydration & Prevention

Age2B

4 answers