Foods for Arthritis

Arthritis is a joint condition that can be painful and result in stiffness, swelling, and a decreased range of motion. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease, often brought on by age) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disorder). It can be debilitating, making daily tasks more difficult, or even impossible to accomplish depending on the severity. There are many treatments for arthritis, and it is important to speak to your physician about the best treatment option for you. That being said, a change in your diet can also help relieve many of the symptoms of arthritis.

 

Foods For Arthritis

Wild Salmon

Wild salmon is the perfect addition to any diet. It’s a great source of protein, vitamin B12, but most importantly (for arthritis) it is a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids. DHA is one of the fats in salmon, which has shown to fight and prevent inflammatory diseases like arthritis. Adding salmon to your diet is a good start to reducing joint inflammation and easing the symptoms of this condition.

 

Sardines

Like salmon, sardines are another amazing fish to add to your diet. They are a major source of protein, vitamin D, and vitamin 12. The essential vitamin here is the vitamin D. This is a critical nutrient for bone health, but it is hard to get adequate levels from food. A 100g serving of sardines has 68% of your daily value, which is incredible. This will go a long way to keeping bones healthy and preventing degeneration of the bone and joint.

 

Avocado

We love avocado, and it’s a great source of healthy fats that are easy to add to your diet to fuel the body. Avocado is also a good source of vitamin E, which works as an antioxidant fighting free radicals. Getting plenty of vitamin E can do wonders for your overall health, preventing stress and damage through the body.

Avocado extract has shown to effectively relieve inflammation and joint pain in knees caused by arthritis. While this study looked specifically at knee pain, it is still promising and could lead to further discoveries around avocados role in minimizing joint inflammation.

 

Tart Cherries

Tart Cherries are rich in antioxidants. As previously stated, antioxidants are important for fighting free radicals and reducing inflammation. Studies have found Montmorency Cherries to be especially effective in alleviating joint pain.

 

Broccoli

Broccoli is a mighty green vegetable. You’ve inevitably head that it will help you grow up to be big and strong, but it turns out it can help you stay big and strong as you age.

Broccoli is a great source of important nutrients like vitamin K and vitamin C, but it also contains an important compound for fighting arthritis, sulforaphane. Sulforaphane blocks inflammation and protects against cartilage destruction.

 

Green Tea

Green Tea may technically be a beverage, but it’s a great choice to add to your diet if you have arthritis. It’s high in antioxidants and can be a beneficial treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea is also a healthier choice than black teas or coffee because it is higher in antioxidants and lower in caffeine.

 

Garlic

Garlic has been used for medicinal purposes for millennia. While it is often used to help with gut health, it may also help prevent arthritis caused by joint degeneration. That’s because garlic contains an organic compound called diallyl disulphide, which may limit cartilage-damaging enzymes

 

Nuts

Walnuts, pine buts, pistachios, and almonds are all rich in rich in protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin E, and immune-boosting alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). This is an additional source of antioxidants to keep inflammation at bay and fight arthritis.

 

Bonus: Get time in the sun. Vitamin D, which is primarily absorbed through sun to skin exposure, is essential for calcium absorption and distribution. While some foods like sardines contain good levels of this vitamin, 15 minutes of sun to skin contact can provide you with all the vitamin D you need for a day.