How Does Diet Affect the Progression and Treatment of Arthritis
Arthritis is a generic term that is used to describe over 100 different diseases and illnesses that are characterized by joint inflammation, swelling, warmth and tenderness. The most commonly diagnosed type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Over 27 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis. However, diseases such as gout, pseudo gout, lupus and fibromyalgia also fall into this category.
Treatments for this type of disorder include rest, exercise, medications, weight loss, joint protection and the use of cold or heat with the expressed goal of reducing pain and slowing progression of the disease process. By altering diet and nutritional intake people can also make a difference in the amount of pain they suffer from. Research also has also proven that a well balanced nutritional diet will improve overall health, reduce weight to normal levels and potentially will increase the production of cartilage in the joints.
Given the opportunity with balanced nutrition, rest, water and light the body has been able to effect some miraculous changes. Researchers know that individuals who are able to keep their weight within normal limits, get adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and nutrients and plenty of rest have a longer lifespan and longer telomeres. Telomeres are the end caps to DNA which are predictive of age.
Anytime dietary changes are made it takes several weeks or months before the effects might be seen. Diets that are high in animal fats and cholesterol actually contribute to the inflammatory process increasing the pain response in the body. Individuals who indulge in hamburgers, steak, french fries, soda and coffee hinder their therapies and treatments.
Any dietary changes don't have to be strict but are rather guidelines that will help to limit pain and disability. Individuals who suffer from arthritis should include fruits that are high in vitamin C in their daily intake. Berries, cantaloupe and citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit, are high in vitamin C.
Vegetables which are high in Vitamin A and C also help to fight the effects of inflammation in the body. Vegetables include carrots, squash, broccoli, cabbage and spinach.
The media has covered the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids as it relates to cardiac health. The benefits are actually derived from the reduction in inflammation throughout the body - both joints and arterial supply. Foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids include fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, and vegetable sources such as milled flax seed and pure flax oil. Flax seed oil isn't very palatable because it has a distinctly fishy odor and taste. However, milled flax seed has little to no taste and can be sprinkled over salads and cereal.
Individuals who suffer from inflammatory processes in the body should avoid red meat, dairy products, caffeine, sugar, salt, vinegar, butter, chocolate, white potatoes and tobacco. Each of these foods or categories of foods has chemicals that are natural or added which affect the rate at which inflammatory diseases progress. This means that just by limiting or eliminating these foods a person with an arthritic condition can make significant positive changes to their illness.
People who can maintain a weight that is within normal limits or below can also improve their ability to reduce pain in their joints affected by arthritis. By using dietary changes, reduction in calories and exercise most people who suffer from arthritis can lose 1 pound a week and slowly make changes that will last the rest of their life.
When the basic diet is high in fats, cholesterol and sugar making initial small changes will cause the first weight loss. Include a variety of beneficial foods and elminate the foods which are harmful to change the way that the body produces and breaks down the cartilage which is so necessary to the health of your joints.
Over a period of time these changes will effect a positive change on both the overall health of the individual and the progression of the condition. Even though these types of changes can be challenging the positive effects on the health, energy level and pain perception are often enough to encourage the individual to continue along this new life path.
Treatments for this type of disorder include rest, exercise, medications, weight loss, joint protection and the use of cold or heat with the expressed goal of reducing pain and slowing progression of the disease process. By altering diet and nutritional intake people can also make a difference in the amount of pain they suffer from. Research also has also proven that a well balanced nutritional diet will improve overall health, reduce weight to normal levels and potentially will increase the production of cartilage in the joints.
Given the opportunity with balanced nutrition, rest, water and light the body has been able to effect some miraculous changes. Researchers know that individuals who are able to keep their weight within normal limits, get adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and nutrients and plenty of rest have a longer lifespan and longer telomeres. Telomeres are the end caps to DNA which are predictive of age.
Anytime dietary changes are made it takes several weeks or months before the effects might be seen. Diets that are high in animal fats and cholesterol actually contribute to the inflammatory process increasing the pain response in the body. Individuals who indulge in hamburgers, steak, french fries, soda and coffee hinder their therapies and treatments.
Any dietary changes don't have to be strict but are rather guidelines that will help to limit pain and disability. Individuals who suffer from arthritis should include fruits that are high in vitamin C in their daily intake. Berries, cantaloupe and citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit, are high in vitamin C.
Vegetables which are high in Vitamin A and C also help to fight the effects of inflammation in the body. Vegetables include carrots, squash, broccoli, cabbage and spinach.
The media has covered the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids as it relates to cardiac health. The benefits are actually derived from the reduction in inflammation throughout the body - both joints and arterial supply. Foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids include fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, and vegetable sources such as milled flax seed and pure flax oil. Flax seed oil isn't very palatable because it has a distinctly fishy odor and taste. However, milled flax seed has little to no taste and can be sprinkled over salads and cereal.
Individuals who suffer from inflammatory processes in the body should avoid red meat, dairy products, caffeine, sugar, salt, vinegar, butter, chocolate, white potatoes and tobacco. Each of these foods or categories of foods has chemicals that are natural or added which affect the rate at which inflammatory diseases progress. This means that just by limiting or eliminating these foods a person with an arthritic condition can make significant positive changes to their illness.
People who can maintain a weight that is within normal limits or below can also improve their ability to reduce pain in their joints affected by arthritis. By using dietary changes, reduction in calories and exercise most people who suffer from arthritis can lose 1 pound a week and slowly make changes that will last the rest of their life.
When the basic diet is high in fats, cholesterol and sugar making initial small changes will cause the first weight loss. Include a variety of beneficial foods and elminate the foods which are harmful to change the way that the body produces and breaks down the cartilage which is so necessary to the health of your joints.
Over a period of time these changes will effect a positive change on both the overall health of the individual and the progression of the condition. Even though these types of changes can be challenging the positive effects on the health, energy level and pain perception are often enough to encourage the individual to continue along this new life path.