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Medicanet 
conditions and treatments
arthritis
Arthritis Diet |
Arthritis DietThe food we eat plays a major role in our body’s ability to react to illness and disease.
This holds true even in the case of an inflammatory disease like arthritis. Diet can play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of arthritis. Let us look at both the aspects that diet plays on arthritis.
Prevention Prevention is always better than cure.
Arthritis is caused due to many factors such as genetic, environmental, medical, etc. There is no known cure for most of the forms of arthritis. At best, doctors can cure provide relief for the symptoms associated with the disease and attempt to stem its progress.
In such a scenario, it makes sense to try and prevent being afflicted by arthritis in the first place. The food we eat plays an extremely important role here.
Obesity greatly increases the chances of contracting arthritis. This is because the limbs of obese people have to carry more weight and are therefore subject to a significantly greater amount of wear and tear during everyday activities.
Eating a healthy diet that helps us lose weight can not only stem the onset of arthritis but also provide many other health benefits.
Even those who are not obese should try to eat a balanced diet everyday. A balanced diet provides the joints with proper nutrition and renders them less susceptible to arthritis.
Vitamins C and D have been found to be especially useful in preventing an early onset of arthritis. Vitamin C helps prevent damage to the cartilage, and vitamin D helps to protect the bones. Research is also being carried out to test the efficiency of nutritional supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in preventing arthritis.
Cure Although diet alone cannot cure arthritis, it can play a major role in the treatment of this disease.
Some of the dietary elements that have been identified as being particularly beneficial in combating arthritis include omega 3 and omega 6 oils, olive oil, ginger, devil’s claw, phytodolor, green tea, and vitamins C and D. Many doctors also prescribe over the counter food supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to aid in pain relief.
There are many arthritis diets being propagated with fantastic claims of a total cure, however, these should be taken with a pinch of salt. In general, if you eat a healthy, well balanced diet, avoid excessive consumption of red meat, carbohydrates, fats, and alcohol, you will find that your arthritis treatment is greatly aided. The ideal arthritis diet would consist of plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and two portions of oily fish in a week. Do ensure that you keep your doctor abreast of any special diet that you are following to help alleviate your arthritis and try to incorporate any dietary suggestions that he or she may make.
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