An effective and a healthy osteoarthritis diet can go a long way in overcoming arthritis pains and aches naturally. Find out the expert facts on what you should include in your diet for effective natural treatment of osteoarthritis.
Do you know that even being slightly overweight, for example an increase of 10 pounds in your weight - enhances the load on your joints dramatically. And the joints that are highly vulnerable are the hips, knees and ankles.
So, what would comprise a healthy osteoarthritis diet? Here are 5 important facts to help you decide the best diet for overcoming arthritis pains and aches naturally -
1) A lot of people go for a "low carb" diet to reduce weight. But there is a caveat attached to it. Taking a low-carb diet for long periods of time poses the risk of nutritional deficiency. This deficiency can affect the health of our bones, cartilage and joints.
Thus, it can be said that a "low-carb" diet cannot be classified as an appropriate osteoarthritis diet.
2) Although injury and heredity are some of the causes behind the occurrence of osteoarthritis, nutrition also plays a very important role in joint health. Our body requires a good amount of nutrients to rebuild its cartilage. A good osteoarthritis diet should be made up of essential nutrients that help to rebuild cartilage.
3) The diet pattern of American people has also changed drastically over the years. The proportion of Omega 6 and omega-3 fatty acids has changed pretty significantly.
While there are many good food sources of Omega 6, Omega 3 diets include mainly fish. The recommended omega-3 consumption per day is around 1000 mg. Most people are not consuming enough fish to achieve this omega-3 supplementation per day.
For osteoarthritis, the recommended omega-3 intake is around 3000 mg. It is nearly impossible to achieve this daily intake of Omega 3s without supplementation.
4) Health experts are of the view that an imbalance in the consumption of omega-3 versus Omega 6 is one of the leading causes of the occurrence of osteoarthritis. Omega 6 fatty acid compounds cause inflammation, while Omega 3 fatty acids help to inhibit inflammation naturally.
Inflammation is the prime cause of pain in osteoarthritis patients.
5) Besides omega-3 fatty acids, osteoarthritis patients also require calcium, magnesium and vitamins C and D as a part of a healthy osteoarthritis diet. Vitamin C helps in the formation of cartilage, while calcium, magnesium and vitamin D give healthy bones as well as prevent osteoporosis from occurring. It is a scientific fact that osteoporosis enhances the risk of the occurrence of osteoarthritis.
Nutritional supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine are also very helpful as a part of a healthy osteoarthritis diet. The extract of green lipped mussel found in New Zealand is also highly effective in improving joint flexibility, reducing pain and morning stiffness in osteoarthritis patients.
A good osteoarthritis diet should include fish consumption at least 3 to 5 times per week. It should also include a good amount of fruits, whole grains, vegetables and low-fat dairy products.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes the cartilage of the joints to wear down after a period of time.
ReplyDeleteOsteoarthritis Symptoms are often painful and physically debillating for sufferers who have the condition. The disease also affects a patient mentally and emotionally because Osteoarthritis often limits normal, daily activities.