Changing Your Diet to Better Deal With Osteoarthritis
By Stephen R. Farris
Dealing with osteoarthritis of the knee can feel excruciating, especially if you've had it for a lengthy period. Just trying to stand up is a chore in itself, much less trying to walk normally as you had in the past.
Medication doesn't always seem to help relieve the pain. Inflammation and aches can escalate even more if you suffer from OA and are overweight.
If you are overweight, there's still something you can try to help lessen the pain, but you will have to change the way you eat. It might be time to start eating healthier and starting a light exercise program to keep your body moving so you can burn calories.
Cutting Calories
A couple of things you can do is to cut calories by eating more meals at home and in smaller portions. But you'll also need to stay away from consuming foods that are high in calorie content and add more fresh fruits and vegetables into the mix as well.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps in the development of cartilage. It's also an antioxidant and can be found in a variety of fresh fruits that include oranges, strawberries, pineapple, cantaloupe, raspberries and many others, including a few fresh vegetables -- broccoli, kale, bell peppers and tomatoes.
Vitamin D
We know that Vitamin D is good for healthy skin, but it's also good in preventing the breakdown of cartilage and helps decrease the risk of joint spacing, according to studies done by Arthritis and Rheumatology. Vitamin D can be found in some seafood, dairy products and certain breakfast cereals.
Beta Carotene
Free radicals can cause damage in your joints. Beta carotene -- another "super" antioxidant -- can help destroy free radicals before they cause damage. Beta carotene is found in orange colored fruits and vegetables, even green ones such as spinach, collard greens and Brussels sprouts.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids do the opposite of most foods when it comes to inflammation. Instead of increasing inflammation levels, they work to decrease them. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish such as salmon, herring, rainbow trout, sardines and others, as well as flax seed, flaxseed oil and walnuts.
Bioflavonoids and certain spices play their role as natural anti-inflammatories. So now you have an arsenal available to help you lose weight and help lower your pain.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in West Melbourne, Fla.