Experts Discuss Diet for Arthritis

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The foods you eat have a significant impact on how well your body functions. For arthritis sufferers, an anti-inflammatory diet may be the best choice. Anti-inflammatory diets include fish or fish oils that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids.

Well known physicians in the nutrition field, including Barry Sears of The Zone diet and Andrew Weil, have said that an anti-inflammatory diet is actually ideal for maintaining good health. An anti-inflammatory diet can reduce blood triglycerides and blood pressure, reduce heart disease risk, keep existing cardiac conditions in check, and soothe stiff and tender arthritic joints.

So what is an anti-inflammatory diet? It depends on who you ask. According to Dr Christopher Cannon, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and co-author of “The Complete Idiots Guide to The Anti-Inflammation Diet”, it is very close to the Mediterranean diet.

Dr. Sears, who has also written “The Anti-Inflammation Zone”, says that an anti-inflammatory diet is The Zone diet with fish oil. The Zone diet recommends low-fat protein, carbs and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

Common recommendations of most of the anti-inflammatory diets are:

Minimize trans and saturated fats

Limit the amount of refined carbs, such as white rice and pasta

Eat plenty of whole grains, such as bulgur wheat and brown rice

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables

Have a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil supplements

Eat lean protein, such as chicken

Reduce your intake of red meat and full fat dairy

Avoid refined and processed foods

Use spices, like curry and ginger, which can have and anti-inflammatory effect

Most people believe that inflammatory diseases end in ‘itis i.e., rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, colitis, appendicitis. But there are many other conditions that are linked to inflammation such as Crohn’s disease, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, various cancers, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Anti-inflammatory diets will take longer to have an effect than anti-inflammatory medications. Generally, it will take a few weeks to experience a noticeable difference. However, following an anti-inflammatory diet will not only improve symptoms in conditions like arthritis, it will also improve overall health and contribute to achieving, and maintaining a healthy weight.

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