If you’re struggling with one of the over 100 of types of arthritis, you know just how painful and debilitating it can be to deal with the stiffness and limited range of motion that comes with this condition.
You might be working with pain management specialists or chronic disease experts to help you navigate day-to-day life. But you might also be wondering if there’s anything you can do on your own to combat your arthritis pain. It turns out that making some changes to your diet just might help.
While no one specific diet can take your joint pain away, there are foods you can focus on eating to reduce inflammation in your body. This, in turn, can help to improve joint pain and other symptoms that come with arthritis. Our team at The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre in The Woodlands, Texas, wants to give you some guidelines on what diet changes you can start making today for your arthritis.
A diet that fights inflammation and disease focuses on rich, whole foods. This includes fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and beans. You’ll want to stay away from foods that are highly processed and have a lot of saturated fats.
Here are a few more specifics:
Fruits and vegetables contain many antioxidants. Antioxidants boost your body’s defenses so you can better fight inflammation. Aim to have a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables, especially those with dark and vibrant colors, which are packed with antioxidants.
Omega-3 fatty acids are highly effective at reducing inflammation and helping with swelling and joint pain. As it turns out, many kinds of fish are rich in them. The best fish to eat are cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, herring, and scallops. Taking fish oil supplements is a great alternative if you don’t like to eat fish.
Nuts and seeds play a huge role in the fight against inflammation since they’re packed full of monounsaturated fats. Walnuts, pistachios, almonds, or pine nuts are all great options.
If you’re still looking for some other foods to help with your arthritis, several others can be helpful. Olive oil contains ingredients that are similar to those in anti-inflammatory drugs, and it’s full of healthy fats. Beans are another good option. They have lots of fiber, which lowers inflammation in your blood. You can also eat whole grains and nightshade vegetables (such as tomatoes and potatoes) to help fight arthritis.
To learn more about how dietary changes can help you in your fight against arthritis, our team would love to discuss your options with you. To talk with our team, call 281-374-2273 or use our online booking tool to set up an appointment today.
