Best Foods for Arthritis

The onset of consistent joint pain in mature adults usually signals arthritis. There are several types of arthritis, each caused by a malfunctioning or worn down part of a joint. This condition is usually regarded as a disease for the elderly but even children younger than 16 can suffer from it. Luckily, its symptoms can be lessened by your diet. Eating the best foods for arthritis can prove to be highly beneficial whether you are chronically ill or looking to prevent it in future.

What causes arthritis?

Every joint consists of two bones connected by flexible ligament to allow movement. The bones are covered in cartilage to prevent friction and supported by synovial membranes and fluids. All these components are enclosed within a capsule. When you have arthritis, it means that one of these parts is either infected or worn down. It might also mean there is not enough fluid between bones to produce smooth movement.

Types of arthritis

Arthritis can take many forms but the most experienced types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and infectious arthritis. With osteoarthritis, the bone covering or cartilage wears down and causes bones to rub against each other. Joining ligaments also suffer strain, which causes pain. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, affects the synovial fluid. When this fluid is lessened or attacked, it may cause inflammation and pain. Infectious arthritis occurs when bacteria enters the body and travels through the blood to form infections in the joints.

If your condition has advanced to stages where symptoms are displayed, seek help and treatment from a medical professional. You should also make it a point to consume the best foods for arthritis to enhance the effect of medication and to further ease symptoms at home.

What are the best foods for arthritis?

The best foods for arthritis are those that manage symptoms like inflammation (swelling), pain, fatigue and infection. Your diet should also include foods that build healthy bone, cartilage and regulates levels of synovial fluid.

You might want to start with antioxidant-rich foods like blue berries, black berries, raspberries, cherries, grapes, plums and cups of green tea. Antioxidants have the ability to cleanse your body of free radicals and bacteria that cause inflammation and infection in your joints. Green tea is also famous for protecting cartilage.

Oranges, kiwi, grapefruit, guava, broccoli, cauliflower and kidney beans are also great foods for your cartilage because they contain high amounts of vitamin C.

Omega 3 fatty acids are known to ease pain, add extra strength and give you more energy. Foods with fatty acids include flax seed, walnuts, salmon, trout, sardines, mackerel and herring.

Substitute cooking oils with olive or extra virgin olive oil to keep inflammation under control and to dull severe pain.
Nutrients called carotenoids are also believed to improve the health of joints. They are present in vegetables like sweet potatoes, butternut squash, egg plant, spinach, pumpkin, carrots and kale.

What are the worst foods for arthritis?

Avoid inflammation-causing foods like baked goods, processed snacks, fried food, margarine, sweet treats and goods made from white flour.