Arthritis symptoms manifest in a variety of ways, causing pain, stiffness and swelling. More than 100 types of arthritis affect Americans, according to Harvard Health Publications. A growing number of people are seeking alternative ways to relieve their symptoms while discovering foods that both aggravate and relieve pain and inflammation. Many people report significant relief from their arthritis through changing their diets. If you want to change your diet to treat your arthritis, consult your health practitioner before doing so.
Pineapple
Bromelain is available in fresh pineapple or freshly squeezed juice. This enzyme reduces inflammation and lessens pain in the joints, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you can't eat fresh pineapple daily, you can take bromelain supplements, available from health food stores. Take the supplements between meals when it is most effective for reducing inflammation. Bromelain can thin the blood, so do not use it if you are taking drugs to thin your blood unless under medical supervision.
Tart Cherry Juice
Tart cherries and the juice may help relieve your arthritis and gout pain by reducing inflammation in your joints. Eating about 8 oz. of cherries daily or drinking two tall glasses of cherry juice have had a significant effect on reducing the pain level experienced by some arthritis patients, says "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies." Cherry juice should be unsweetened. You can use cherry juice concentrate and dilute it with water in equal proportions.
Lemon Juice and Baking Soda
Combining lemon juice and baking soda may help relieve your arthritis pain. The mixture produces as pH of 7, which is nearly perfectly balanced. When you drink the mixture it has an affect on your body's pH producing an alkaline-forming state. Waste materials like uric acid are unable to form into crystals causing gout when the urine and blood are slightly alkaline. This mixture may bring you relief from an acute gout attack within a day, writes Dr. Theodore Baroody in his book "Alkalize or Die." Add 1/2 tsp. baking soda to 2 tbsp. lemon juice and allow it to fizzle until it goes flat. Mix in 8 oz. water and drink immediately. Baking soda may raise your blood pressure, although in this mixture, it is unlikely to do so having been neutralized by the acid in the lemon juice; however, consult your health practitioner before using this for your gout to be sure it is right for your condition.
MSG
MSG is a chemical used in many foods as a flavor enhancer and preservative. Consuming it may produce numerous symptoms including joint pain, stiffness, aching, swelling and redness, according to Manfred Mueller, president of the North American Society of Homeopaths. By eliminating MSG from your diet, you may be able to cut back on the intensity and frequency of your arthritis attacks. MSG is found in almost all foods cooked in Chinese restaurants and many other restaurants. In addition, it is used in many packaged foods. Read labels carefully and avoid foods containing MSG.
Wheat and Wheat Gluten
All forms of wheat and wheat gluten may contribute to your joint pain, especially foods made from highly processed white flour. Certain types of arthritis including sprue are connected to eating wheat gluten, according to the University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. People suffering from celiac sprue experience not only joint inflammation but also suffer from digestive tract disorders. Eliminating wheat and gluten from your diet will go a long way in reducing symptoms.
References
- Hospital for Special Surgery: Eating Right with Arthritis: Arthritis Nutrition FAQs
- University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine: About Diet and Arthritis
- Harvard Health Publications-Harvard Medical School: Arthritis--Keeping Your Joints Healthy
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gout -- Lifestyle Changes
- "Alkalize or Die"; Theodore Baroody, M.D.; 2002
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon MS and Sifu Teresa Graedon; 2002
