The Proper Diet for People with Arthritis

The Proper Diet: Foods for Arthritis

Many people suffer from various disorders and diseases that are characterized by swollen and painful joints. The most common of these conditions is arthritis. "Arthritis" is the name given to a group of many different diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and others.

While you may not see joint pain as an eating-related condition, actually, what you eat impacts your joints more than you might know. Studies recommend certain kinds of food could help ease joint pain caused by arthritis.

The Role of A Diet to Prevent Arthritis

Anti-arthritis treatment has included weight-loss diets as an attempt to reduce the amount of stress on joints affected by disease for a long time, but more recently the "Anti-inflammatory Diet" has been developed and used as a diet to prevent arthritis. Some researchers have found that certain foods may contribute to the development of arthritis more frequently than was recognized in the past. In addition, some foods benefit people with arthritis by helping to decrease inflammation.

Major Triggers of Arthritis 

1. Dairy products (whole cow’s milk, goat’s milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, etc.)
2. Corn
3. Meats (pork, beef, turkey, chicken)
4. Oats, wheat, rye should not be included in a diet to prevent arthritis
5. Eggs should be excluded from a diet to  prevent arthritis
6. Citrus fruits
7. Potatoes
8. Tomatoes should be avoided in a diet to  prevent arthritis
9. Nuts
10. Coffee should be avoided in a diet to prevent arthritis  

 

A diet to prevent arthritis may help to reduce inflammation in your joints. Changes you can make in your diet include:

- Avoid "fast food." In a diet to prevent arthritis, these foods could be replaced with fresh vegetables and fruit.

- If you are eating a diet to prevent arthritis, avoid foods high in saturated fats and trans fats: this includes all packaged pastries, pies and cakes, pre-cooked meals and foods fried in oil that is re-used several time.

 

Foods To Avoid

Fats and Oils
There are some fats which are included in a healthy diet plan, however, there are other kinds of fats which can increase inflammation and cause further harm to your overall health.
Here are some fats which you should limit to prevent joint inflammation:
1. Saturated Fat
Those with arthritis are more at risk of heart diseases, which is why they need to look out for their cholesterol levels. Saturated fat raises bad cholesterol levels, so people with arthritis should limit their saturated fats intake to less than 10% of their total calorie intake.
Saturated fat can be found in:

- meat,

- butter,

- cheese.

Coconut oil is also included in the saturated fat category, however, this plant-based saturated fat has anti-inflammatory properties. Coconut oil can be one exception but only in small quantities.
2. Omega 6 Fatty Acids
There are two types of fatty acids found in polyunsaturated oils, these are the omega-3s and omega 6s.
Omega 3 is known to be anti-inflammatory and can be found in:

- oily fish,

- flaxseeds,

- walnuts.

Omega 6 can be found in oils including:

- corn

- safflower

- sunflower

- soy

- vegetable

- products made with these oils

It's true that too much of everything can be a bad thing. This goes for Omega 6s which can trigger our bodies to produce pro-inflammatory chemicals if consumed excessively.
3. Trans Fats
Just like saturated fats, trans fats can also raise our bad cholesterol levels. The difference is, trans fats also reduce our good cholesterols which can further raise the risks of having heart diseases. Trans fats can be found in:

- dairy products,

- baked goods,

- fried foods,

- margarine.

What's Safe To Eat: Foods for Arthritis

"Safe" foods for arthritis to include in your diet to prevent the condition that has never been associated with painful symptoms include: 

- Dried or cooked fruits: This includes pears, cranberries, prunes, and cherries. It does not include bananas, tomatoes, peaches or citrus fruits.

- Cooked yellow, green and orange vegetables: lettuce, collards, chard, broccoli, asparagus, artichokes, string beans, spinach, sweet potatoes, winter or summer squash. Include plenty of these in your diet to prevent arthritis.

- If you are eating a diet to prevent arthritis, include brown rice in your menu.

- Water: Carbonated or plain water. Other beverages can be triggers, even herbal teas should be omitted from a diet to prevent arthritis.

- Condiments: Spices including curry, rosemary, turmeric, and ginger may have anti-inflammatory properties and are excellent to include in a diet to prevent arthritis. Vanilla, maple syrup and salt in moderate amounts are generally tolerated well.

-  The following all have omega-3 fatty acids: Grapeseed, olive, canola and flax oils, walnuts and walnut oil and pumpkin seeds. Also cold water fish like herring, sardines, salmon, and mackerel. Your EPA and DHA intake should be at least 1 gram daily if you are consuming a diet to prevent arthritis.

- Try to consume a varied diet to prevent arthritis and one that consists of mostly fresh foods. Avoid processed foods as much as possible.

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

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Questions & Answers
Q:
What is the best way to treat permanent back and neck pain and stiffness?
A:
by
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.

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

Read more
Age2B
4 answers
Q:
What is the best treatment for neck pain and shoulder Pain?
A:
by
Age2B

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

Neck Pain Exercises: Neck Extension

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

Neck pain exercises: Side bend

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

Neck pain exercises: Neck flexion

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

More exercises here: Neck Pain Exercises

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Age2B
4 answers
Q:
How do I reduce the shoulder and neck pain?
A:
by
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: 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

Read more
Age2B
4 answers