Dealing with Arthritis Pain

Dealing with arthritis on a daily basis does not have to be debilitating.

There are many ways we can control our pain without surgeries, just by modifying our exercise and diet.

Foods You Can Eat If You Have Arthritis

Since arthritis causes pain, swelling and stiffness in joints, you should consider adding some foods to your diet to ease the pain. It has been proven that people who changed their diet showed an impact of the severity of these symptoms.

1. Broccoli

Not only is broccoli one of the healthiest foods but it may be associated with reduced inflammation. Broccoli has important components that could help reduce symptoms of arthritis. One ingredient is sulforaphane which is a compound found in broccoli that blocks the formation of a type of cell that is involved in rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Walnuts

Walnuts are loaded with compounds that may help reduce the inflammation in your joints. They are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which has been shown to decrease the symptoms of arthritis. Walnuts are nutrient dense and can be used with many delicious recipes (salads, veggies) to add fatty acids to your diet.

3. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish consists of salmon, mackerel, trout and sardines and are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which has been known to have anti-inflammatory benefits. Fish, in general, is a good source of Vitamin D, which can reduce the severity of arthritis symptoms.

4. Garlic

Garlic has many health benefits including cancer fighting properties and may lower the risk of heart disease and dementia. Garlic has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect that is known to decrease the symptoms of arthritis. It can enhance the function of certain immune cells to help strengthen the immune system. So adding garlic to your diet is a win-win with arthritis and overall health in preventing disease.

5. Ginger

Studies have shown that ginger blocks the production of substances that promote inflammation in the body. It also decreases levels of specific inflammation. It can be added to many dishes you prepare for added flavor while giving you a health benefit and easing arthritic pain.

6. Grapes

Grapes are high in antioxidants and possess anti-inflammatory properties. Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in the skin of grapes that has shown to be beneficial to decreasing the symptoms of arthritis pain. Studies have shown that a plant compound, proanthocyanidin extract, reduced inflammation.

7. Spinach

Spinach is full of nutrients which may be able to decrease inflammation caused by arthritis. It Is high in the antioxidant kaempferol which has been shown to decrease inflammation especially with rheumatoid arthritis.

8. Olive Oil

Olive oil (especially extra-virgin olive oil) has shown to stop the development of arthritis, reduce joint swelling and slow cartilage destruction. It has been shown to decrease inflammation as well. Adding olive oil to your diet is easy to do (salads, veggies, pasta) and will benefit your health in many ways.

9. Tart Cherry Juice

This is a potent juice and may need to be diluted for taste reasons. Tests have shown that drinking tart cherry juice for three-weeks reduced levels of inflammation in women with osteoarthritis. It may be hard to taste at first but diluting it or adding it to other juices may be helpful.

10. Berries

Berries contain antioxidants that have been known to decrease inflammation related to arthritis. Berries contain quercetin and rutin which provide many health benefits including reducing inflammation. Berries contain vitamins and minerals in one serving alone that may help reduce the pain of arthritis.

11. Herbs Used In Alternative Medicine

Aloe Vera is the most commonly used herbs in alternative medicine known to have healing properties. You can use it as a vitamin or apply it topically to area of pain. Other herbs that those believing in alternative medicine use are Boswellia, cat’s claw, and eucalyptus. Like aloe vera, eucalyptus can be used topically on joint pain. Green tea is also a common herb (and popular) used to reduce inflammation in the body.

What else can you do to help reduce arthritis pain?

There are many ways you can help reduce the pain of arthritis. First of all, losing weight will aid in the amount of pain you experience especially on your knees, hips and feet. Along with diet, getting regular exercise will benefit you. This will help you maintain flexibility and balance which is important to joint health. While participating in an exercise program, be sure to use ice and sometimes hot therapies to help the pain. Some people have also used meditation to help ease stress which can add to arthritic pain. If you are not able to do strenuous cardio exercise, yoga and meditation will have an overall benefit.

The subject of arthritis is a long one and hopefully some of this information will be helpful to you. You will see by adding some new foods to your diet and starting light exercise at first, will prove beneficial in the long run. Please see article on my blog for more information:

https://egallagher713.com/2020/02/12/healthy-living-with-arthritis-pain/

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