| There are around 200 kinds of arthritis, the two most | | | | fish oils are readily available in capsules or liquid form. |
| common being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. If | | | | Evening primrose oil has been shown to also have a |
| you are overweight you have an increased risk of | | | | beneficial anti-inflammatory effect - useful if you don't |
| developing osteoarthritis because of the increased | | | | like fish...in fact a vegetarian diet has been shown in |
| stress on joints such as your hips and knees. | | | | studies to reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. |
| Consequently reducing your weight with slimming or a | | | | Several studies have shown that glucosamine sulphate |
| low fat diet can help to reduce your chance of | | | | a compound needed to build and maintain cartilage |
| developing osteoarthritis or lessen your symptoms if | | | | alleviates osteoarthritis. |
| you already have it. Therefore, maintaining a healthy | | | | Helpful foods to include in your diet to alleviate the |
| balanced diet that is low in highly refined and | | | | symptoms of your arthritis: |
| processed foods, saturated animal fats, sugar and salt, | | | | Salmon and other oily fish supply omega-3 oils - eat 3+ |
| but high in wholegrain cereals, fruits and vegetables will | | | | times a week |
| aid in minimising the discomfort of osteoarthritis. | | | | Greens source of beta-carotene, calcium, folate, iron |
| Unfortunately for slimming, diet alone is never enough | | | | and vitamin C - eat raw or lightly cooked every few |
| and should be combined with sensible, regular, gentle | | | | days |
| exercise. Exercise will strengthen muscles that protect | | | | Bananas provide a good source of potassium, fibre |
| joints and help to prevent stiffness. Low weight | | | | and vitamin C - eat 3+ times a week |
| bearing exercise such as swimming and using a cross | | | | Broccoli source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, folate, iron |
| trainer will help minimise the stress on joints whilst | | | | and potassium - eat raw or lightly cooked every few |
| exercising. Be sensible though and respect your body's | | | | days |
| limits - overdoing it is never a good idea. Remember | | | | Carrots excellent source of beta-carotene - eat raw |
| also that you should consult your doctor or health care | | | | or lightly cooked as often as you like |
| practitioner before embarking on a new exercise | | | | Ginger anti-inflammatory agent - eat 5g incorporated |
| regime. | | | | into cooking, twice a week |
| Food allergies or intolerance are thought to play a part | | | | Celery anti-inflammatory agent and source of |
| in causing some people to develop rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | potassium - eat raw 3 times weekly |
| As with diagnosis of all food allergies it can be difficult | | | | A diet that contains plenty of wholegrain cereals, fresh |
| to identify which food is the culprit or indeed if there | | | | fruit (especially fruits high in anti-oxidants such as |
| are more than one causing the problem. Following an | | | | beta-carotene and vitamins C and E e.g. blueberries, |
| elimination diet with subsequent re-introduction of new | | | | cranberries, blackberries, prunes, raspberries, |
| foods is one way to find out or you could get skin and | | | | strawberries, apples, sweet cherries, plums and |
| blood tests done. You may already suspect you have | | | | bioflavenoids e.g. lemons, limes, oranges, cherries, and |
| a problem with certain foods and the main offenders | | | | grapes) vegetables and oily fish and is supplemented |
| are usually dairy products, eggs and cereals. | | | | with anti-inflammatories such as evening primrose oil, |
| There is increasing scientific evidence to suggest that | | | | ginger or glucosamine phosphate will be beneficial for |
| fish oils, in particular polyunsaturated fats such as | | | | reducing the chance of developing arthritic conditions |
| omega-3 fatty acids, can have an anti-inflammatory | | | | or for minimising the painful symptoms once the |
| effect on the joints of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis | | | | disease is established. Also, consider reducing your |
| sufferers. Inflammation is the bodies natural reaction to | | | | intake of refined and processed foods and those high |
| arthritic diseases and causes the very uncomfortable | | | | in sugar, salt and saturated animal fats, as well as |
| symptoms of pain, swelling, redness and heat. If you | | | | investigating the possibility of a food allergy or |
| find it difficult to eat fresh oily fish (e.g. salmon, herring, | | | | intolerance. |
| mackerel, sardines or trout) 2 to 3 times a week then | | | | |