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Posts Tagged ‘Omega 3 Fats’

Superfoods For Arthritis

25 Aug



Arthritis is a condition that affects nearly 70 million people. Treatment can vary extensively, based on severity, on what type of arthritis you have, and on where it strikes. While individual attention from your doctor is necessary to best manage your unique symptoms, certain Superfoods have entered the marketplace that can offer tremendous relief for many arthritis sufferers.

Certain Types of Arthritis…Demand Certain Foods For Help!

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, or the deterioration of cartilage surrounding the bones. This causes bones to rub against one another, resulting in pain and difficulty moving. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the joint lining becomes inflamed due to dysfunction of the immune system. It can be serious and tends to effect women more than men.

Though these forms of arthritis are different, both are joint conditions, which can be quite complex. They involve various systems of the body and are often unpredictable in severity. Although many medical treatments may be safe and effective for arthritis, certain foods and supplements can be another tool to help you manage the disease.

The foods in the following list are known to have numerous health properties, so there’s little risk in making them part of your diet.

The Best Foods to Fight Your Type Of Arthritis!

Many foods have anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight rheumatoid arthritis. Chief among them are omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish, walnuts and flax seeds. The fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are converted by the body into substances that fight inflammation. Studies show that they reduce joint stiffness, swelling and tenderness. The best food choices are fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna. Recently, omega-3 fats have been added to a variety of food products, such as eggs.

Antioxidants are another category of substances that fight inflammation. They are plant chemicals found in fruits, vegetables and other natural foods. Green tea, in particular, is loaded with powerful antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been shown to reduce inflammation. Green tea also contains healing substances, like the antioxidant EGCG, fluoride, catechins and tannins. Studies show that drinking four cups a day can prevent the onset of osteoarthritis, and reduce the severity if you already have it.

As it turns out, one of the fieriest foods you can eat actually has anti-inflammatory properties. Capsaicin, which gives chile peppers their sting, can inhibit inflammation. One study showed that capsaicin cream applied topically reduced pain in sufferers of osteoarthritis. Discuss this treatment with your doctor, and feel free to add chiles to your cooking too. I always say, “The more heat, the greater the benefits.”

Here’s Some Pain-Saving Supplements!

It is important for everyone to get the recommended daily dose of vitamins and minerals, but arthritis sufferers could see added benefits. Vitamin C is known to prevent the breakdown of cartilage, which is often effected by arthritis. When it comes to vitamins and minerals, however, more is not always better. Tell your doctor what supplements you are taking and don’t go over the recommendations. Too much vitamin C was shown to exacerbate arthritis of the knee.

Vitamin D is important for bone and joint health. It also may help build collagen, one of the building blocks of joints. You can get this vitamin by spending 10 to 15 minutes in the sun, 2 or 3 days a week. Drinking milk is another easy way to meet your requirement, since it is fortified with the nutrient.

Vitamin E also acts as an antioxidant to fight inflammation. Nuts and seeds and avocados are rich in vitamin E. If you combine these foods with omega-3 rich fish, you may gain extra benefits. Studies show that consuming these two nutrients together may boost their ability to fight inflammation.

If you suffer from any form of arthritis, examining your diet is a smart first move. Fresh produce, whole grains, and lean protein should be your mainstays. These foods will provide you with a variety of antioxidants that can promote good health in all aspects. Then add on the Superfoods and supplements mentioned above and you have the perfect overall diet for fighting off the devastating disease of arthritis.

 
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Keep Moving – Tips For Natural Arthritis Relief

27 Jul



Arthritis affects more than 30 million Americans, resulting in severe pain and disability. While osteoarthritis is the most common type, there are 100 other conditions, which affect joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis and gout are the other two most familiar types.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes the cartilage around joints to break down causing pain, stiffness and disability. As with all the major diseases, inflammation is at the root. However, damage is accelerated by the repetitive action of certain occupations, injuries, family tendency and being overweight.

Your joints have a natural lubricant called synovial fluid. Think of it as your body’s natural WD-40. It carries nutrients to the cartilage, which does not have its own blood supply, and carries waste products away. The more you move your joints, the more this lubricating and nourishing fluid flows through them, increasing their mobility. The less you move your joints, the less fluid flows through them and the less nourishment your cartilage receives. The cartilage begins to deteriorate and that in turn causes the bones to rub together which is what results in pain, stiffness, loss of mobility and finally disability.

In order to get to the root of the problem and not simply manage pain, here are a few suggestions and natural supplements that have been shown to improve the condition as well as relieve pain without the dangers of NSAID drugs.

One of the primary treatments you should consider including is a good source of animal-based Omega-3 fats like krill or cod liver oil. I consider Omega-3′s to be a foundational supplement for everyone because it is so important for so many functions of the body. In the case of osteoarthritis, it is essential for relieving inflammation. You may consider trying glucosamine and chondroitin, which studies have shown to be beneficial, particularly for pain relief and much safer than NSAIDS. The Indian herb, boswellia, has also been shown to be effective in treating joint inflammation. One of the most promising natural substances is a plant enzyme found in pineapple called bromelain. Studies show that enteric-coated bromelain is as effective as common anti-inflammatory drugs in dealing with joint pain.

One of the most important factors for building and maintaining strong, dense bones and keeping joints fluid and healthy is regular exercise. Simply beginning a daily walking program will help keep your bones dense and lubricate your joints. The idea that exercise will damage or hurt your already painful joints is a fallacy. Taking the joints through their full range of motion helps them remain healthy.

Exercise is key for several reasons:

It will strengthen muscles, which support your joints;
It increases the flow of synovial fluid, which nourishes cartilage and improves mobility; and
It will help you lose excess weight, alleviating stress on the joints!

Use common sense and approach the exercise part of this equation gently and gradually. While your muscles may become sore at the beginning of any exercise program, you should not have pain in your joints. Besides walking, swimming, rebounding and yoga have been found to be excellent forms of exercise for arthritis sufferers.

Gout is an arthritic type of pain in your joints. About 75% of people will experience it as an excruciating pain in their big toe. The symptoms of gout (stiff, swollen and painful joints) are due to excess uric acid forming crystals in your joints. The pain results from your body’s inflammatory response to these crystals. As with osteoarthritis, inflammation is the culprit – and as usual, diet is the number one way to decrease inflammation. Recent research shows you can lower your risk of gout by 85% simply by reducing your intake of sugar! As far as using supplements, tart cherries have been found to offer excellent benefits in treating gout. Tart cherries contain two powerful compounds, which have similar activity to aspirin and ibuprofen and help relieve and prevent these conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when the body’s immune cells attack and destroy the linings of the joints. One of the most important things you can do is to get adequate vitamin D3 along with omega-3′s, boswellia and tart cherries. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Devil’s Claw is another herb found to be helpful. Keeping your body’s pH as alkaline as possible is also key to reducing inflammation.

 
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