What You’re Eating May Help Soothe Arthritis Pain

What can help:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Once ingested, omega-3’s convert into compounds that are much more potent than the original fatty acids themselves.  One important type of compound, called resolvin, is effective in signaling the inflammatory response to end. In arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, an overactive immune system causes degradation of body tissues.  Resolvins flip the “inflammation switch” to the off position. For best results, food sources of omega-3’s like the fatty fish salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines, walnuts and walnut oil, flaxseed and flaxseed oil are preferred over supplements.

Fiber: Consuming adequate amounts of fiber appears to lower a protein in the blood called C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of inflammation.  When blood levels of CRP are high, it is a strong indicator that something is causing an inflammatory response in the body.  While it can’t be officially said that high fiber foods will treat arthritis specifically, lowering CRP levels may be helpful.

Strawberries: These juicy red berries have the same effect on blood levels of CRP as fiber does. A study conducted at Harvard University found that women who ate 16 or more strawberries each week were 14% less likely to have elevated CRP levels compared to those who did not eat strawberries.

What can hurt:

Omega-6 Fatty Acids: This type of fatty acid is prevalent in all types of snack foods, deep fried foods, and margarine-like spreads.  Coincidentally, overindulging in fattening snack foods has been linked with enhancing joint inflammation and promoting obesity. Obesity and arthritis are further associated with one another because fat cells can produce cytokines, a type of protein that promotes inflammation.

Like this post? Share it!