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Osteoarthritis Diet
Osteoarthritis Diet
What
kind of food should I AVOID
if I have Osteoarthritis (OA)?
Here is a summary of foods that you want to avoid
eating. Some of them may cause inflammation and joint stiffness.
| Food source to avoid |
What experts say about them |
| Reduce
or avoid taking nightshade vegetables |
Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers
all contain a chemical
called solanine. This substance can induce an allergic-like response
and pain in some people with allergies.
Stop this group of vegetables for one or two months to see if it helps
to reduce pain and swelling. Research suggest that removing nightshade
foods from your diet can reduce symptoms by up to 70%.
|
| Reduce
meat |
Studies in large groups of population seems
to show that a diet
high in meat and fats is associated with increased number of people
with inflammatory type arthritis.
Other studies show that a vegetarian diet provides more of the needed
anti-inflammatory antioxidants.
|
| Eliminate
"acid" foods |
Foods that are "acid" may worsen joint
inflammation. Scientist are not sure why this is the case.
There
is a lot of confusion with the term "acid" and "alkali". This term is
used to described what the food does to the acidity in our body when
they are processed, not whether they are themselves acidic or not.
For
example, oranges and tomatoes have acidic contents, but when our body
process them, it results in alkali production and make the urine
alkaline.
Fruits are classified as an alkali foods. Protein-rich foods such as
meat and diary products creates acid in our body and urine.
See if reducing or eliminating acid forming foods helps with your
arthritis symptoms.
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What
kind of food should I eat
if I have osteoarthritis?
Healthy
balance meals are very important to your
overall health. Diets have a strong impact on your ailments. Eating the
wrong food can worsen your ailments or make it better. Below are
suggested for anyone planning to following an osteoarthritis diet.
If you have OA, there are additional nutritional considerations above
and beyond just eating a balanced meal.
Below are examples of what you could include in your diet to help with
reduce arthritis pain and stiffness.
| Food source |
What experts say about them |
| Sulfur-containing
foods |
Foods containing high amounts of sulfur are
recommended. Sulfur is
required for the maintenance of the cartilage and bone. Asparagus,
cabbage, garlic and onion are high in sulfur content.
|
| Fresh
pineapple |
Raw pineapple contains the active
ingredient bromelain.
It is an enzyme that shows good anti-inflammatory
benefit.
|
| Reduce
fat intake |
Cut back on taking fatty foods
such as milk, diary products and
read meats. Choose skim or 1% milk instead of homogenized milk when
possible.
|
| Reduce
iron-intake |
Some experts believe that high levels of
iron in the blood may contribute to worsening of arthritis pain and
inflammation.
Get
your needed iron from dietary sources instead of from iron supplements.
Fish, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and peas are good sources of iron.
|
| Eat
fish, take fish oil
or the omega-3 fatty acid capsules |
Fish such as salmon, halibut,
tuna, mackerel, lake trout,
herring and sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids.
It shows
anti-inflammatory activity and may be helpful in controlling pain and
swelling.
|
| Drink
water |
Avoid dehydration. Drinking water ensures
that the fluid in the joints is present in sufficient levels.
There is some evidence that people suffering from arthritic pain tends
to be dehydrated.
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Related Articles
Home Page for Osteoarthritis
What
are the Causes and diagnostic tests for Osteoarthritis?
Standard and
Alternative Treatment Options for
Osteoarthrits
Natural
Remedies and Vitamins
& Minerals for Osteoarthritis
Return to Health Conditions LIst
Updated:
January 25, 2010
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