5 Foods For Arthritis That Will Surprise You

There are hundreds of different types of arthritis and millions of people worldwide who suffer from some form of the disease. All types of arthritis have at least three things in common: inflammation, damage and pain in the joints. Although foods are probably not a cure for any type of arthritis, those suffering from mild types of arthritis may benefit a great deal from a change in diet.

These foods for arthritis can help to improve quality of life for arthritis sufferers by alleviating symptoms, and they may also prevent further damage to the joints and slow disease progression. They generally do this by helping the body help itself - making the body’s systems stronger against the disease. Some foods also have anti-inflammatory properties that ease pain and slow disease progression by stopping damage to the joints.

The following are the foods which many arthritis sufferers trust to alleviate their arthritis:

1. Fish that are espcially high in omega-3 fatty acids such as Atlantic salmon, tuna, and herring. These oils are considered ‘essential’, which means your body cannot produce them by itself but they must be taken in from the diet. For arthritis sufferers, they are especially beneficial because they have anti-inflammatory properties. Many foods are now supplemented with the omega-3 fatty acids DHA (docosohexanoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) which come from fish, so look out for them if you don’t like fish too much.

2. Fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants and phytochemicals such as viamin C and beta carotene work to reduce cell damage.

3. Foods containing zinc such as legumes help the immune system function properly.

4. The spice ginger is known to reduce inflammation and is a trusted remedy taken daily for many arthritis sufferers.

5. The spice turmeric (also known as curcumin) is an ingredient in yellow curry. It has been shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory effects which may work by suppressing chemicals in the body which trigger the inflammation response.

In addition to these foods you should remember that keeping your body properly hydrated is also essential for the maintenance of good health. Dehydration can also trigger an inflammatory response. It is recommended that you drink about 8-10 full glasses of water throughout the day to keep your system strong, and more if you are very active.