Tendinitis is best described as an overuse injury. Highly repetitive movements -- as is seen in certain sports and occupations -- can irritate one or more of the tendons in your arm, shoulder or knee, leading to inflammation of the affected tissue. The inflammation often results in pain and tenderness near or around the area where the tendon attaches to the bone. While your diet doesn't likely play much of a role in its development, certain foods can potentially improve the symptoms associated with the condition and speed your rate of recovery. But talk to your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C may help reduce the inflammation affecting the aggravated tendon and boost the immune system to aid in healing, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Therapeutic amounts are set at 250 to 500 mg twice a day. Instead of taking a dietary supplement, look for foods that are high in the nutrient, such as oranges, strawberries, papaya, guava, kiwi, broccoli, cauliflower and dark, leafy greens.
Calcium/Magnesium
Along with vitamin C, you can often help heal connective tissue -- like your tendons -- by increasing your daily intake of calcium and magnesium to 1,500 mg and 750 mg, respectively. Foods high in calcium include milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu and most green, leafy vegetables, such as mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens and kale. Foods high in magnesium, on the other hand, include broccoli, spinach, tofu, black beans and most whole grain.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A shows promise in boosting your immune system to aid in healing, and its inclusion in your diet could help your rate of recovery. Get 15,000 IU a day for tendonitis, University of Maryland Medical Center states. Vitamin A from the diet includes incorporating more carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, lettuce, cantaloupe and dark, leafy greens into your eating plan.
Vitamin E
You may also see some improvement by including more vitamin E in your diet, UMMC says. Therapeutic amounts are set at 400 to 800 mg a day, so include more nuts, dried fruit and cooked spinach into your diet. You may also find vitamin E added to foods. Checking food labels can help you find more products rich in this nutrient.
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids have gotten a lot of play in regard to lowering cholesterol, but they may also reduce inflammation associated with tendinitis -- and any other condition that causes swelling, for that matter. Fish is rich in the stuff, but you can also get essential fatty acids from seeds, olives, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, tofu and olive oil.
Other Measures
Diet alone isn't likely to improve your tendinitis if you don't put in place some self-care measures known to aid in recovery. Resting is often of the most benefit, but you should also immobilize, compress and elevate the affected limb. Throughout the day, ice the area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.
