According to the National Arthritis Association, arthritis encompasses more than 100 different diseases that affect the joints, muscles and other soft tissues of your body. This painful condition affects more than 46 million Americans each year. Arthritic symptoms can be painful and debilitating at times. Symptoms include pain, inflammation, stiffness and joint weakness. There are natural ways to treat arthritis, and some of these methods involve eating specific kinds of food.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
One of the healthiest fats people with arthritis can eat is omega-3 fatty acids as they can help reduce painful inflammation. They suppress the production of cytokines, which wear down cartilage and decrease pain and inflammation. Foods with omega-3s can be found in fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel and anchovies. Other foods high in omega-3 are flaxseeds, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, winter and summer squash, tofu and seasonings such as clove and oregano.
Fruits
Fruits such as dark grapes, cranberries and blueberries are high in resveratrol. This plant component can help decrease inflammation by acting as an anti-inflammatory. Fruits such as oranges, nectarines, tangerines, papaya, peaches, plums, apricots and even watermelon have beta-cryptoxanthin, which can help reduce inflammatory joint conditions. Apples and grapes also contain flavonoids which means they may slow down the degeneration process. As little as an apple a day or a glass of orange juice a day can help reduce certain kinds of arthritic pain.
Vegetables
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant which can help reduce arthritic symptoms. It is found in vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and avocado. Vegetables such as sweet potato, sweet red peppers, carrots, kale, butternut squash, turnip greens and pumpkin are all rich in carotenoids, which also act as powerful antioxidants. Adding these foods to the daily diet might help relieve arthritic discomfort.
Nuts and Seeds
uts and seeds such as hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and sesame seeds have typtophan, which can reduce arthritic pain sensitivity. Eating a handful of nuts such as pecans, Brazil nuts, walnuts or hazelnuts can give an extra boost of omega-3, which helps with arthritis pain and inflammation. Garry Gordon, author of the book "The Omega-3 Miracle" endorses the consumption of omega-3 daily to treat arthritis.
