Introduction

Affecting approximately 27 million people in the world right now, Arthritis is a major health issue for which a cure needs to be found. And while the researchers work their way up to discovery, these patients are left to live with their symptoms the way that they only know. Sure there are a number of great treatments and lifestyle changes that these patients can follow, but that still does not solve their problem with Arthritis. Once you are diagnosed with Arthritis, there is no turning back. You have to live with this condition for the rest of your life and that means occasionally having to deal with the symptom flare-ups that occur. Thinking about all those Arthritis patients out there, we decided to dedicate an article on the importance of healthy diet and supplementation plan that is specially designed to help these patients to deal with their symptoms in the best way possible. A healthy diet can go a long way, you just need to know how to modify it according to your disease. And that is what we are here to tell you!

Why is there a need to modify your diet into a so-called Arthritis diet?

While there is no such thing as an “Arthritis diet” to be exact, there are certain foods that are proven to have the abilities to help the Arthritis patient to deal with their symptoms better. Most of these foods can be found in the well known Mediterranean diet which is mostly made of fruits, vegetables, and fresh seafood. We are talking about foods that are supposed to help these patients overcome the difficult symptoms caused by Arthritis such as joint pain, swelling, redness, inflammation and reduced range of motion which can lead to a certain disability if left untreated. And then we have some of the best supplements out there are designed according to these patient’s needs to relieve their symptoms and offer them a chance to feel healthier and revitalized once again! And although we are sure that most of these Arthritis and knee pain treatments are helping you, it would not hurt eating a bit healthier for a change, would it?

The Arthritis and supplementation plan that you need to know about!

• It is all about the healthy Omega-3 fatty acids! – There are a number of studies published on the topic of the beneficial effects of the Omega-3 fatty acids towards the inflammatory process within Arthritis, especially Rheumatoid arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids have the ability to reduce two inflammatory proteins in an Arthritis patient’s body – C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6. And what is a better Omega-3 fatty acids source than fish? We are talking about a good, oily fish like salmon is! Tuna, sardines, and anchovies also do the trick! For to full effect, make sure that you introduce fish at least twice a week into your diet.
• Eat your fruits and vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are filled with anti-oxidants which are exactly what your body needs during its battle with Arthritis. Choose fruits and vegetables that are an especially good source of anti-oxidants such as blueberries, strawberries, cherries, kale, spinach, and broccoli are.
• Do not forget about nuts! – Nuts are filled with fibers, proteins and most importantly – anti-inflammatory abilities! Nut consummation has been linked with a healthy profile of inflammatory biomarkers. Choose walnuts, pistachios, almonds and pine nuts and make them your new snack in between lunch and dinner to get the full effect!
• Add olive oil to your salads – Instead of the plain old oil, now you get to use the olive oil’s health benefits to treat your Arthritis joint pain! Olive oil contains mono-saturated fats, anti-oxidants and a special compound called oleocanthal. This compound is known for its abilities to fight inflammation and lower joint pain! Olive oil, salt, and pepper is everything that a tasty salad really needs!
• Use ginger – Ginger can be used either in its fresh form or as a supplement due to its anti-inflammatory properties that it has. Not to mention all the beneficial effects that it has towards your immune system! Add ginger to your drinks and dishes and even brew a hot cup of tea using it!
• The intake that Vitamin C – We all know Vitamin C is beneficial towards our immune and cardiovascular system, but it also has a way to work that inflammation and treat the Arthritis symptoms. Vitamin C actually concentrates on keeping our cartilages and other soft tissues strong so that no damages to the joints during movement is caused. Choose from the variety of Vitamin C sources on a daily level – lemons, oranges, watermelon, pineapple, kiwi, mango, citrus and so on.
• The importance of turmeric – Perhaps you have used turmeric before but you have not been aware of its beneficial effects towards your inflammation. Turmeric is a popular spice that you can add to your dishes, even during your cooking, salads, and drinks to get the proven beneficial effects when it comes to relieving the present inflammation and with that improving your condition.
• Decrease your salt intake – The last thing that you would want during your fight with Arthritis is an increased risk of high blood pressure and that is where a high salt intake is going to take you!
• Limit your drinking to one glass, once in a while – Now that you are dealing with Arthritis, it would be for the best if you drink in moderation and that means one glass only once in a while. And a very good advice would it be if you choose red wine whenever possible! Use the beneficial effects that Resveratrol, a compound that is found in red wine, has towards inflammation!
• Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate supplements – Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate focus on repairing the damage that has been done on the affected cartilages and soft tissues as well as prevent any future damage from happening. They work to relieve the symptoms caused by Arthritis, but also lubricate our joints to increase the range of motion and prevent disability to take place. There are a lot of brands who offer their own version of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate supplements so you need to be careful when choosing your own. It would be for the best if you consult your doctor on this question.

Conclusion

Living with Arthritis sure has its challenges. But all of these challenges can be easily overcome with the right tricks in your sleeve. And that is what we wanted to point out in today’s article. We have talked about the importance of a healthy diet and a proper supplement, to treat your Arthritis symptoms. Fruits, vegetables, salmon, and nuts are some of the essential foods that you would like to include in your diet if you are interested in relieving your Arthritis symptoms and forgetting all about joint pain and swelling. If you are interested in improving your symptoms, make sure that you read the whole article so that you get the full image of what needs to be done and why!

Author Bio:

Kathy Mitchell is a Health & Beauty Blogger. She likes to Go Out with her Friends, Travel, Swim and Practice Yoga. In her free time, you can find Kathy curled up Reading her Favorite Novel, or Writing in her Journal. To know more about her follow her on Google+, Facebook and Twitter.

 Image and Content Credits: Kathy Mitchell