An Arthritis Dietary Guide

Arthritis is a common debilitating disease that occurs in one out of every three people in the United States. The condition causes inflammation and pain in the joints of its victims. Some types of arthritis are caused by degradation of the joints through wear and tear, and other types are caused by a deficiency in the body's autoimmune system. But no matter the many distinct characteristics of each type of arthritis, one thing is certain: the patient who suffers from any one of the arthritic and rheumatoid conditions is in constant chronic pain.

So how do you remedy this?

Unfortunately, as far as a definitive cure to arthritis is concerned, there is none yet. This is particularly true when cartilage and other joint tissue has been significantly damaged. Since cartilage degeneration is irreversible, the patient who suffers this condition will have to live with the fact, but with the aim of reducing or managing the pain through arthritis treatment.

For many, medicines are the first course of action. Many arthritis pain relievers are available over the counter without need of a doctors prescription. Examples of these are readily available pain relievers like tylenol or ibuprofen. Medicinal options often relieve pain fast, but they also tend to wear off just as quickly. The other drug option available are much slower acting but are disease modifying that is, they may halt the disease progression by inhibiting the release of certain chemicals in the body that cause inflammation or pain.

However, as medicinal treatments often have side effects, arthritis sufferers often look for other alternatives. One option is the "arthritis diet."

While there is no scientific evidence that diet can treat arthritis, certain choices seem like they can only provide a positive result on the body. For years, dieticians have been recommending a kind of arthritis diet that is suitable for patients suffering this disease. Also, studies have concluded that high levels of fat and cholesterol may negatively impact the condition's symptoms. This therefore shows that an arthritis diet, one that is controlled and balanced, would aid in preventing the onset of the disease in the first place.

The concept of the "arthritis diet" is not a strict diet. Rather, think of an arthritis diet as a list of foods that you ought to avoid and foods that may be beneficial for alleviating the symptoms.

These are foods you should avoid:

Soda
Starchy foods like potatoes
Red meat (less is better)
Foods high in saturated fat
Greasy foods
Fried foods


And here are the foods that may help relieve the pain:

Fruits high in vitamin C, including oranges, apples, and strawberries
Oily fish
Foods high in vitamin E
Whole grains