Foods to ease arthritis painSome 70 million adults live with pain, stiffness and misery every day, they suffer from arthritis. And while medications may help, some can pose serious risks. But, the right diet and exercise may be all it takes to heal this painful condition. There are certain foods that can increase inflammation in the body as well as those that can decrease it. To avoid inflammation, stay away from tomato sauce, red wine, and lunchmeat. Changing your diet and adding exercise could make all the difference for those that suffer with arthritis. Salmon and other oily fish, such as sardines, halibut, to supply omega-3 oils. Doctors advise getting omega-3 fatty acids from two or three servings of fatty fish a week. The old standby, cod liver oil, which is also rich in bone-building vitamin D and inflammation-fighting vitamin A is high in omega-3. One teaspoon of cod liver oil a day should do it. A word of caution: excessive omega-3 increases the risk of bleeding problems, which can be hazardous for patients taking arthritis drugs that interfere with normal blood clotting. Fresh green and yellow vegetables to provide beta carotene, vitamin C, and other antioxidants to reduce cell damage. Eat at least two servings daily. Grapefruit and other fresh fruits for citrus flavonoids, substances that are thought to increase the antioxidant effects of vitamin C; may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Eat daily. Peas and other legumes for zinc, a mineral essential for proper immune system function. Other good sources include oysters, wheat germ and whole-wheat products, and milk. Have at least one high-zinc food each day. Ginger to benefit from its anti-inflammatory effects. Eat one or two pieces of candied ginger or use 5g in cooking every 2 or 3 days. Relief may be obtained by rubbing painful joints with a nonprescription cream containing capsaicin, an oil that is found in hot peppers. Capsaicin is absorbed through the skin and reduces inflammation. Some natural pain relievers for Rheumatoid arthritis include: Evening Oil of Primrose,vitamin E, pantothenic acid,zinc, DL-phenylalanine, and Flaxseed Oil.Helpful herbs include Bosellia, Devil΄s Claw, Curcumin, Ginger, White Willow, Sarsparilla, and also, Bromelain. German doctors advise using botanical oils, primarily camphor oil, eucalyptus, pine needle oil, and rosemary oil, as topical applications several times a day to affected joints. Switching to a vegetarian diet may also be helpful, in addition to identifying and avoiding possible food allergens that may irritate the system Which fruits, vegetables, meat, or fish should you eat? There are no absolute rules, but the results of studies and case histories suggest that these foods may be helpful: Anchovies: Three-and-a-half ounces of anchovies contain almost a gram and a half of omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids help regulate the prostaglandins, which play a role in inflammation and, hence, pain. However, anchovies are extremely high in sodium, so if sodium-sensitivity or water retention is a problem for you, choose a different kind of fish. Some interesting studies and case histories have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may help relieve the pain and inflammation seen in some types of arthritis and related diseases. Strong evidence exists that omega-3 acids can help ease rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms, help prevent Raynaud's spasms, and possibly relieve some lupus symptoms. You can get omega-3 fatty acids from fish such as Chinook salmon and Atlantic mackerel. In general, the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fish that come from cold water. Fish from warmer waters and those raised on fish farms have less. You can also find omega-3 fatty acids in other foods, including butter nuts, black walnuts, and green soybeans. Likewise, you can get omega-3s through supplements. If you use a supplement, make sure that it clearly lists the amount of DHA and EPA per capsule. There is no RDA for fish oil: Some authorities suggest taking 3 grams of DHA and/or EPA per day. Take supplements only after discussing them with your physician. In addition, make sure your doctor always knows what supplements you are taking, for they may interfere with certain aspects of treatment. Omega-3 fatty acids have some long, complicated names such as alpha-linolenic acid, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). They're often referred to as omega-3s or fish oil, for short, because that's where you typically find them in their most concentrated form. Taking fish oil and GLA (gamma linolenic acid) thins the blood, which can be dangerous if pushed too far. Overly thin blood may not clot properly, causing bleeding to increase to dangerous levels. Consult a physician before taking fish oil supplements if you take blood-thinning medication, NSAIDs, supplements that contain ginger, or anything else that thins the blood. Avoid deep-frying your fish. Doing so destroys the omega-3s. You won't find large amounts of GLA in food. In addition to evening primrose oil, good sources of GLA include borage oil and black currant oil. An often-suggested dose is 1 to 2 grams of GLA per day. Make sure that the primrose oil or other product you purchase lists the GLA content on the label so you know exactly how many capsules or spoonfuls you need to take to get the desired dosage. You can purchase evening primrose oil, borage oil, and black currant oil in health food stores.
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