Approximately one in every 100 Americans is familiar with the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. According to the University of Michigan Health System (MHCS), rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and even deformity of the joints in the fingers, wrists, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, toes and jaw. Osteoarthritis, which is caused by the wear and tear of the cartilage, causes painful and stiff joints.
Along with medications, there are certain diets that can help relieve the pain and stiffness of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Caveman
The Arthritis Foundation (AF) recommends that arthritis sufferers try a so-called caveman or "paleolithic" diet for one month. This diet plan consists only of foods that existed before the dawn of civilization. It's rich in fruit, vegetables, meat, nuts and fish.
They say that arthritis victims who are food sensitive can cut down the levels of morning stiffness and pain, increase their range of motion and lower the inflammatory elements in their blood system with this simple diet plan.
The AF quotes Jonathan Brostoff, professor of allergy and environmental health at Kings College London, as stating that one third of the people with rheumatoid arthritis who followed this diet during an experiment at their school reported less morning stiffness.
Mediterranean Diet
In his column in "The New York Times," health reporter Anahad O'Conner cited a 2008 Norwegian study that found that a Mediterranean-type diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, grains, fish and olive oil, but limiting the consumption of red meat, reduced the pain of rheumatoid arthritis for the research subjects over a 12-week period. However, they found the diet did not reduce morning stiffness or improve physical abilities.
Fish Diet
Early studies, according to the Mayo Clinic, show that a diet rich in fish oil can reduce the pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis. If you have osteoarthritis, fish may benefit your pain and stiffness also, according to the Better Health Channel.
A fish-rich diet is based on fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna while limiting other animal sources of protein like red meat. The reason that fish may benefit arthritis is due to their omega-3 fatty acid content. Omega-3 fatty acids are proven inflammation fighters, according to the Mayo Clinic.
However, fish oil supplements may interfere with other medications, so check with your doctor before taking.
