FIGHTING ARTHRITIS THROUGH FOOD

Aches and pains in knee joints, ankles, shoulders elbows...in whatever form...limit freedom of physical mobility. Low key exercise for legs and hands do help to facilitate better mobility. If a person suffering from arthritis is carrying excess weight, that takes even a bigger toll on the knee and hip joints and makes physical movement even more painful. It's important to lose weight if one is overweight which will ease arthritis to a large extent. Studies and research suggest that the inflammation and pain due to arthritis can be reduced or eased through consuming certain foods and avoiding certain foods. Let's see that what they are:

FOODS THAT HELP EASE ARTHRITIC PAIN:

*Fatty fish (salmon, sardine), walnuts, soy beans, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds contain omega 3 fatty acids which helps in reducing inflammation that causes pain .

* Green Tea helps in lowering inflammation that causes pain and bone damage

* Onion and Leeks contain a certain antioxidant that helps in easing inflammation. Instead of onions, you can also have apples and cherry tomatoes.

* Vitamin C from Sweet Peppers and Citrus fruits protects collagen, a important component of cartilage.

* Brazil Nuts contain high amounts of selenium that lowers risk to arthritis.

* Tart Cherries can reduce inflammation, bringing about an improvement to pain

* Olive Oil contains oleocanthal which helps in blocking  inflammation.

FOODS TO AVOID :

If you have gouty arthritis which is a build up of uric acid in blood which then forms crystals and settle in joints, giving rise to acute pain, you should avoid shell fish, red meat, high fat diary foods, beer, anchovies, mackerel, herring, clams, brain, liver, kidney, oysters and sweet breads.  Avoid sunflower, safflower and corn oil during cooking as they contain high levels of omega 6 fatty acids which increase inflammation in joints. Switch to olive oil. Reduce or avoid sugar which is also known to increase inflammation in joints. If you have arthritis but not gout, you can still avoid these foods to ease the pain.