Arthritis Cure - How to Beat Osteoarthritis Pain Through Your Diet (Part 2)

The incidence of osteoarthritis can be greatly reduced through sufficient and regular intake of antioxidants, but there are other food sources that help to fight this scourge. They include foods containing bioflavonoids, foods that counter the effects of steroids and other medications, and so on. They are as follows.

1- Foods containing Bioflavonoids

Good sources of these foods include citrus fruits, green tea, onions, berries, fruits that contain a pit ( such as cherries), and whole grains. It is recommended that you take at least one of these foods per day. The recommended daily allowance for bioflavonoid food supplements is 100mg for every 500mg vitamin C.

2- Foods that Counter the Use of NSAIDs, Steroids, and other Medications

Iron- found in organ meats, lean red meat, cooked dried beans and peas, dark leafy vegetables, fish poultry, oysters, whole-grain breads, and cereals.

Folic acid- found in brewer's yeast, dark green leafy vegetables, orange juice, avocados and broccoli.

Phosphorus- found in meat, organ meats, poultry, eggs, fish, non-fat milk, soybeans and peanut butter.

Zinc- lean meat, poultry, organ meats, oysters, brewer's yeast and pumpkin seeds.

Potassium- potatoes, avocados, bananas, apricots, orange juice and peas.

For aspirin takers, take an extra serving of foods rich in vitamin C, iron, and folic acid. Indomethacin takers should eat an iron-rich food each day and watch their sodium/salt intake. Antacid takers should eat a phosphorus-rich food everyday while corticosteroid takers should eat an extra serving of foods containing zinc, potassium, and vitamin C, as well as vitamin D-enriched milk.

3- Foods that Reduce Inflammation

These include foods containing omega-3 fatty acids which are the best inflammation fighters. Good sources include mackerel, herring, salmon, anchovies, sardines and Atlantic sturgeon. These foods contain EPAs which are the best omega-3s. You can take 1 to 2 teaspoons of fish oil if you don't eat fish but do not exceed the recommended dose as fish oil can be toxic in large amounts and can interfere with blood clotting. Talk to your physician before taking any fish oil.

Also included in the list are primrose oil, black currant oil, and borage seed oil. The supplements come in capsule form and you can take 200-300mg per day. Check with you doctor first.