5 Anti-inflammatory Foods That Help Manage Arthritis
Arthritis is a painful medical condition where patients experience swelling and tenderness in their joints. Wear and tear of bones and cartilages, with age, infection, injury, and reduction in cartilages are some of the common causes of arthritis. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, redness, and swelling of joints. There is also a decrease in the range of motions in the affected joints. So, apart from taking prescribed medications, you can consume these anti-inflammatory foods for arthritis to manage the symptoms.
Fatty Fish
Oily fish like mackerel, sardines, salmon, tuna, and trout are the best anti-inflammatory foods for arthritis. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have proven anti-inflammatory properties. Besides, these fish also supply a generous dose of vitamin D, which helps in managing arthritis symptoms. Studies reveal that rheumatoid arthritis patients have a low level of vitamin D in their blood. The American Heart Association advocates arthritis patients to include fatty fishes in their diet twice a week to minimize arthritis pain.
Ginger
Ginger is another useful spice that can successfully reduce arthritis symptoms. A study conducted in 2011 revealed that ginger extracts could significantly decrease discomforts caused by arthritis. 261 patients took part in the study, and after 6 weeks, about 63 percent of those participants claimed a noticeable improvement in arthritis-related knee pain. Another test-tube analysis claimed that the active ingredients present in ginger might arrest the production of inflammatory compounds. You can either consume dried ginger or grate it and add to soups and tea.
Broccoli
Doctors also recommend arthritis patients to consume broccoli as it is one of the healthiest anti-inflammatory foods for arthritis. It contains a compound sulforaphane, which helps reduce arthritis pain. It can also prevent the formation of cells playing a significant role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Some studies show that sulforaphane can decrease inflammatory markers crucial for rheumatoid arthritis development. You can consume broccoli in salads or in stir-fried veggie dishes.
Walnuts
Try to include a few walnuts in your breakfast or as snack items as they are loaded with anti-inflammatory markers. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are a potent pain-reducing compounds.
Berries
If you love fruits, then don’t forget to have berry smoothie or fruit custard for your breakfast or snack. Berries contain tons of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help you minimize arthritis pain and keep other diseases at bay. Strawberries contain quercetin and rutin which are believed to decrease arthritis-related inflammation in mammals.
All in all, to deal with joint pain and swelling, make these anti-inflammatory foods for arthritis a part of your diet. Consult a doctor for more advice and ask him or her to suggest an exercise regime as well. Lifestyle changes along with medicines can keep arthritic pain at bay.