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Arthritis is a common health condition that affects millions of Americans each year. Often, with age, the symptoms of arthritis seem to worsen.
The good news is that there are various medical and lifestyle changes that you can make in your daily life to reduce symptoms like pain and inflammation and live a more physically active, pain-free life.
At PVHC, we understand the debilitating pain that arthritis can cause. We are here to help you manage and mitigate symptoms by adding positive choices to your everyday life, including what you choose to include on your daily menu.
Arthritis is the swelling of one or more joints in the body. The most common symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
There is no cure for arthritis. The goal of treatment through both medication and lifestyle changes is to reduce symptoms and increase your overall quality of life.
One of the best ways to reduce symptoms is choosing foods to help with arthritis. Although sticking to a colorful, balanced diet is key to maintaining a healthy weight, some foods help with arthritis symptoms more than others.
Here are the top four foods to consider adding to your diet today to help with your arthritis.
Packed with vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna have been proven to help reduce inflammation throughout the body. To reduce inflammation caused by arthritis, we recommend incorporating fish into your diet two to three times per week. If you are not a fish eater, you can still replicate fish's vitamins and minerals by taking a daily fish oil supplement.
Dark, leafy greens pack a punch when it comes to health. Choices like kale, spinach or collard greens are filled with vitamins E and C, great for an arthritis diagnosis. Vitamin E protects the body against pro-inflammatory molecules, while vitamin C helps produce collagen, a major component of cartilage.
Nuts, the perfect snack, are a great option to consider for foods that help with arthritis symptoms. Most contain high amounts of fiber, calcium, magnesium, zinc, Vitamin E and Omega-3 fats, all known for their anti-inflammatory properties. The best options to go with include almonds, pecans, peanuts, pistachios and walnuts.
All fruits are high in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation throughout the body. Berries are a perfect choice, as they also contain anthocyanins, which work similarly to reduce inflammation. The next time you’re craving something sweet, grab a handful of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries or raspberries. Not only will they taste good, but they’ll also help ease your arthritis symptoms, too.
Various lifestyle changes, such as healthy additions to your diet, can slow down the progression of arthritis. You can also incorporate comprehensive options into your treatment plan to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with this condition.
Some of the most common treatment options include:
Aside from a healthier diet, other lifestyle changes that have shown to improve arthritis pain include:
Whether you’ve been living with arthritis for a while, are diving into a recent diagnosis, helping a loved one navigate their health journey, or simply hoping to learn new information about this common condition or any other type of injury, PVHC is here to help guide you through your healthcare journey.
We take a full-body approach to care and strive to provide comprehensive and compassionate treatment for all. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment at one of our locations throughout the Valley.
