Osteoarthritis is a painful, sometimes debilitating condition that afflicts many older people and has been considered to be a natural part of aging. However, new research is showing that lifestyle and diet can play a vital role in preventing and treating inflammatory diseases like arthritis.
History
Arthritis comes from a Greek word and literally means "inflammation of the joints." The oldest known form of arthritis is gout, and it's been known for thousands of years that diet and gout are related. Researchers in the early 20th century first discovered a link between diet and another arthritic condition, rheumatoid arthritis, prompting more scientists to study the effects of diet on preventing and treating arthritis.
Significance
The Centers for Disease Control report that 46 million Americans suffer from arthritis or chronic joint pain, with that number estimated to grow to nearly 70 million by 2030. The same inflammation that helps cause arthritis has also been linked to other serious problems such as obesity, cancer and heart disease, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Considerations
Being overweight puts excess strain and stress on your joints, increasing the risk of wear and tear. Every pound of weight you lose equals four pounds less pressure on your knee, reports nutritionist Joy Bauer, the author of "Food Cures." Obesity has also recently been linked to an increase in inflammation in your body, the same type of inflammation that can contribute to arthritis. Following an arthritis prevention diet filled with healthy foods may also serve to help you lose any dangerous excess weight.
Food Recommendations
The Arthritis Foundation says that to prevent arthritis, you should start by eating a balanced diet, since your joint tissues need good nutrition just like the rest of your body. It also helps to eat more foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like fish and fish oil, walnuts and flax seeds, as well as anti-inflammatory foods such as green vegetables, berries, olive oil and green tea. Foods you should avoid include pro-inflammatory choices such as meat, dairy products, butter and margarine.
Supplement Recommendations
There are some nutrients that may be more helpful than others; a study by Dr. Timothy E. McAlindon et al. at Boston University Medical Center in 1996 found that vitamin C helps prevent cartilage damage, and vitamin D can protect your bones. You should also use anti-inflammatory spices such as ginger and turmeric; studies such as one by Janet L. Funk et al. published in the "Journal of Natural Products" in March 2006 found that turmeric prevented a form of rheumatoid arthritis.
