Monitoring Your Arthritis and Your Diet

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis are the twoinflammation. Sources of food that carry a higher
major types of arthritis. At its base, arthritis means or iscontent of oil such as many fishes (Omega-3) have
an inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis is moreanti-inflammatory characteristics which can be
thought of as a condition that afflicts elderly people. Asbeneficial. On the flip side, you should avoid stimulants
time has gone on, the cartilage becomes worn aroundsuch as caffeine laced drinks, refined carbohydrates.
the structure of the weight bearing joints such as theIt is important to monitor your diet and the foods you
knees, hips, and spine; but certainly can affect theeat and be very mindful of any cause/effect
minor joints such as the fingers and elbows as well.relationship between you pain and your diet. If a
Rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand is a conditionparticular food seems to be triggering additional joint
that affects the entire body and can afflict anyone atpain, then that food should be eliminated from your diet
any age. Currently there is no cure for arthritis only- or at the least monitored more closely before making
treatment. In this article we'll discuss how your diet canthat decision. Be mindful that you probably don't want
be a very important agent for you in managing yourto have to eliminate an entire food group... a balanced
life with arthritis and joint pain.diet is very important even if it is necessary to
Since by definition with arthritis there is inflammationsupplement with vitamins.
and with inflammation there is going to be a certainKeep in mind that joint pain with arthritis can change
amount of pain; finding foods that containand vary greatly on a daily basis, and as such you'll
anti-inflammatory properties and incorporating them intowant to avoid the temptation of immediately
your diet can be an important element of your lifestyle.associating a food source with a particular change in
First of all, if you suffer from arthritis, any type ofyour pain level either up or down. Instead, you'll want to
lifestyle change including your diet should be discussednote the association but monitor the results over a
thoroughly and approved by your physician. Certainly,couple of weeks.
you can get more value from some foods asThere is, of course, ongoing research being conducted
opposed to others. And just like any other conditionson the association between a person's diet and their
that affect us, there are plenty of useless solutionsarthritic condition and there is always new information
offered up as well. Again, this is why you consult withcoming out and being marketed.
your physician before embarking on any program.Remember, arthritis is different for all people as is the
A diet of fruits and vegetables (vitamin C & E)individual treatment and the best approach is for you
can have some affect on reducing pain andto work closely with your doctor.