Healthy Diets For Degenerative Arthritis

Degenerative arthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, is a common health problem affecting adults in the United States. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, osteoarthritis may cause your joint cartilage to break down and other degenerative changes in your joints, including the formation of bone spurs, or osteophytes. A healthy diet may be a helpful adjunct therapy in treating your degenerative arthritis. However, you should always clear the use of nutritional therapies with your doctor before pursuing this natural treatment approach.

Osteoarthritis Information

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body, notes the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and it can cause symptoms that range in severity from annoying to debilitating. If your joint cartilage is destroyed, the bones that compose your affected joints may rub together, causing pain and inflammation. Vigorous physical activity may be particularly hard on your joints and exacerbate your symptoms. In addition to pain and inflammation, other common signs and symptoms associated with this condition include joint swelling, stiffness and reduced joint range of motion.

Helpful Diet

Certain dietary factors may be helpful in reducing symptoms associated with your degenerative arthritis. In his book "The Natural Pharmacy," medical doctor Alan R. Gaby reports that a diet free of meat, poultry, dairy, chemicals, sugar, eggs and processed foods may be helpful in treating both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Other helpful dietary exclusions may include foods that contain a substance called solanine, such as tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant and all peppers, except for black pepper.

A Beneficial Food

One of the most beneficial foods in treating degenerative arthritis may be pineapple. Pineapple, notes biologist and nutritionist George Mateljan, author of "The World's Healthiest Foods," helps promote inflammatory balance and contains a group of sulfur-containing proteolytic enzymes known as bromelain that improve your digestion and help reduce swelling and inflammation throughout your body. Pineapples have traditionally been used in treating numerous health complaints, including arthritis, acute sinusitis, sore throat and gout. This food is best consumed between meals, notes Mateljan.

Disclaimer

Degenerative arthritis is a health problem that usually requires the attention and assistance of a competent health practitioner to diagnose and treat. Though natural treatment approaches, including dietary changes, may be helpful in reducing the symptoms associated with this health problem, some individuals may require more conventional allopathic treatment measures. In most cases, a combination of natural and conventional therapies may be best in treating this painful and sometimes disabling health problem.