With more than 200 forms of arthritis, each having different symptoms, using nutritional methods to help ease arthritis symptoms can be a challenge. Most research on food and arthritis has focused on rheumatoid arthritis, but other forms, such as osteoarthritis and gout, may also benefit from nutritional interventions. In addition to an overall healthy diet, there are some specific foods that might be worth trying, and some that might be worth avoiding, to try and ease arthritis symptoms.
Importance
Conventional treatment for most forms of arthritis involve nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injections, joint injections, or aspiration and surgery to repair or replace affected joints. Because these treatments often come with side effects or involve expensive long-term treatment, many doctors encourage arthritic patients to attempt lifestyle changes before resorting to medical procedures. Nutritional methods may improve symptoms and eliminate the need for other treatments in some cases.
Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the severity of arthritis, provide relief for morning stiffness and reduce pain. Omega-3 fatty acids include AA, found in flax seeds and walnuts, and DHA and EPA, found in fatty fish or available as a dietary supplement of fish oil. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, fish oil and the omega-3 fatty acids it contains can reduce the need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in some patients.
Antioxidants and Nutrients
Nutrients that act as antioxidants in the body, such as vitamin E and selenium, may provide protection against joint damage done by free radicals. According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, many arthritis patients are deficient in folic acid, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, or vitamins C, D, B6, B12 and E, so adding these nutrients may be beneficial.
Spices
A diet for arthritis need not be bland, since many spices are associated with a reduction in arthritic symptoms. Turmeric, a spice found in curry, contains a compound called curcumin, which may protect joints and reduce inflammation, explains the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Ginger may also have anti-inflammatory properties that could help ease arthritis. More studies are needed to asses whether the activity of these spices works in humans as well as in the lab, but since they are generally considered safe it can do no harm to add them to otherwise healthy meals.
Food Sensitivities
In some individuals, food sensitivities may exacerbate the symptoms of arthritis. Eliminating certain foods from the diet, such as milk, processed foods or meat, may offer relief to specific individuals for whom these foods are a trigger. The principle behind this idea is that when a person has a mild allergic reaction to a food, this can trigger inflammation that may show up in the joints. Other common allergen triggers include seafood, wheat, nuts and berries.
