Osteoarthritis is a painful and debilitating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It cannot be ignored; so whether you think you might have it, you have recently been told you have early symptoms of it or if you are already suffering from it you will be interested to know what you can do in order to reduce its impact on your life.
There are many factors such as age, injury and hereditary conditions that you realistically can’t do much about, but there is a way you can use your diet to help.
First: Being Overweight Should Be Avoided
Being overweight is a common factor in osteoarthritis; it can not only encourage its onset, but will also exacerbate the condition once you have it by putting increased pressure on already tender and painful joints.
Eat right, take regular exercise and you will eventually lose weight if you stick at it and you will reduce the effects of your existing osteoarthritis or hopefully help you avoid it altogether.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Some research says this kind of diet won’t have any effect on osteoarthritis as it is in itself, not an inflammatory type of arthritis. However, there is inflammation associated with it, so sticking to an anti-inflammatory certainly won’t hurt and it might help. Here’s what you should eat or avoid eating:
Eat
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids – These basically help lubricate your whole system and can be found in certain types of oily fish, walnuts and are now infused in some margarines.
- Fruits and Vegetables – A mixture of all different types are best. Chips and crisps do not count.
- Ginger and Turmeric – These can be used in cooking or can be taken in capsule form.
Don’t Eat
- Refined and Processed Foods – These are no good for your system and should be avoided as often as possible because of the nasty artery clogging fats contained within.
- Polyunsaturated vegetable oils
- Partially hydrogenated oils – Both polyunsaturated vegetable oils and partially hydrogenated oils are pretty bad. They found in cooking and in meats and dairy. These also clog you arteries but can be tolerated in small doses. Try to avoid them in general but allow yourself some maybe once a week.
The best diet for someone worried about osteoarthritis is one that is rich in fish, fruit and vegetables and low in bad fats. This should help reduce any inflammation issues you might have and help you avoid becoming overweight too.
Jed Forrest is an osteoarthritis sufferer. His osteoarthritis treatment includes a new diet and exercise routine.
