Arthritis Awareness Month
May is arthritis awareness month. We know what arthritis is, though, don’t we? We are also painfully aware of what it can do to a body (pun intended). But you may or may not be aware of what you can do throughout the day to keep it from completely taking over your life.
If you keep reading, though, your unawareness will end today. Before we get to that, let’s remind ourselves of what else we already know. We all know there is no cure for arthritis. Of only…, right? But since there isn’t, the next best thing we do is to manage the inflammation and pain to the greatest extent possible. For some that is easier than others, based on the type of arthritis and the severity of it. In some instances, prescribed medications are a must. In others, topical treatments and OTC medications are sufficient. But there is one thing that can help anyone and everyone suffering from arthritis.
Diet. That’s right—according to the National Arthritis Organization (and they should know), a person’s diet can go a long way toward managing, i.e. reducing the amount of inflammation and pain caused by arthritis—no matter what ‘brand’ of it you have.
The following is a list of foods they recommend you make part of your daily and weekly diet. These foods are not miracle cures, mind you, but they will help. They have been proven to help. You also might notice that these foods are ones that help you maintain your body’s health and wellbeing in a number of other ways, too.
- Heart health
- Lowering your blood pressure
- Stronger and better lubricated bones and joints
- Diabetes prevention and management
- A healthier liver and kidneys
- Enhanced memory and thought processes
I guess you might say the ankle bone really is connected to the leg bone, the leg bone is connected to the hip bone, and so on and so on as the song goes.
Anyway, here’s the list of foods you need to make sure go into your cart regularly….
- Fish: tuna, salmon, tilapia, crappie, bass…it doesn’t matter. Fish is a great source of all the things your body needs to keep arthritis under control. NOTE: Broiled, baked, and sauteed—not deep fried. Sorry.
- Cherries and cherry juice. There is a chemical in these sweet and tarty bite-sized fruits that keeps inflammation down. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries are also good sources of the same natural chemical. So, eat up!
- Edamame, baked soy chips (Flex®) for snacking, and tofu if you like it, are full of protein, good fats, and fiber, along with the Omega-3s that are the arthritis fighters.
- Olives and olive oil. They, too, are full of Omega-3s (the good fats). Go easy on the olive oil because a little goes a long way. Something else great about olive oils is that you can find a wide variety of seasoned oils to make cooking and eating more fun and flavorful! As for olives, it only takes four or five to make a salad, pasta dish, or most Greek or Mexican recipes extra-flavorful.
- Dairy—if your system can tolerate it. Dairy is packed with vitamin D and calcium, which helps your bones (you knew that) AND your immune system. It’s that aspect of dairy that helps with most types of arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease.
- Citrus fruits. The vitamin C helps curb inflammation.
- Oatmeal, beans, and brown rice. Both are proven to lower a certain protein in the blood that is associated with the worsening of inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases.
- Nuts—especially almonds, walnuts, and pistachios—are filled with zinc, protein, vitamin E, and ALA, which is a natural acid in the body that promotes a stronger immune system.
- Staying hydrated is a huge help in curbing the inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. Proper hydration is essential for every bodily function, though, so drinking a proper amount of water each day is essential. FYI: The proper amount, according to the center on aging, is 7.5 cups for a 120 pound senior, with an increase of 10 oz. for every additional twenty pounds of weight.
April is ARTHRITIS AWARENESS MONTH. We know what arthritis is, though, don’t we? We are also painfully aware of what it can do to a body (pun intended). But you may or may not be aware of what you can do throughout the day to keep it from completely taking over your life.
But if you keep reading, your unawareness ends today.
Guest post By Darla Noble
The views expressed by the author may not reflect the views of Age Safe America, LLC. The content here should not be taken as medical, legal or financial advice. The content here is for informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your own healthcare, legal or financial professional with any questions.