Osteoarthritis is a degenerative chronic condition, and 27 million Americans suffer from its painful symptoms everyday. If you don’t have osteoarthritis, it’s likely you know someone who does. With age and overuse, the cartilage between the bones in our joints begins to deteriorate causing stiffness, loss of flexibility, and pain.
It is typically found in the hands, hips, knees, lower back and neck. Of late, researchers are beginning to consider osteoarthritis a disease of the whole joint.
Treatments for osteoarthritis
There are multiple treatments for osteoarthritis designed to relieve pain and give people back the ability to move freely without discomfort. They include OTC meds, physical therapy, exercise, cortisone shots with Greater Rochester Orthopaedics, and joint replacement surgery.
One lesser known treatment is eating certain foods to help reduce the inflammation, improve flexibility, and ease the pain of osteoarthritis
The anti-inflammatory foods
Fish
Whether grilled, broiled, baked or poached, salmon is chock full of Omega 3 fatty acids to help counteract the inflammation everywhere in the body. Other inflammation fighting fish are tuna, sardines, and cod.
Leafy greens
Green vegetables are always healthy additions to anyone’s diet. A daily serving or more of spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, asparagus, brussels sprouts, and other leafy veggies will help fight inflammation. Fill your plate half full with these greens for the best results.
Speaking of green, green tea has antioxidant properties which are beneficial.
Fruits with vitamin C
Tropical fruits, especially pineapple, citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit, cantaloupes, strawberries, raspberries, and red bell peppers are all beneficial additions to your diet.
Healthy oils
The best choices are canola and olive oil.
Super foods for osteoarthritis
If you were wondering if there are some magic foods to work wonders on the pain of osteoarthritis, The Arthritis Institute Of America has labeled certain foods as SUPER FOODS.
Some of them include:
- Wild Blueberries – a one cup serving is loaded with antioxidants.
- Bananas and plantains – high in magnesium which increases bone density and alleviates osteoarthritis symptoms.
- Peanut butter – Vitamin B3 improves flexibility and reduces inflammation.
- Lobster – contains Vitamin E which helps protect against knee osteoarthritis.
- Tofu – with soy protein helps reduce pain and swelling in the knee joint and seems to be a bit more beneficial for men.
- Orange Juice – Vitamin C helps in the development of cartilage and researches say it may be valuable in preventing new cases of knee osteoarthritis.
Yes, the foods you eat can have an impact on osteoarthritis inflammation, so share with that friend with OA how these foods can help with their pain.
To discuss further treatment options for osteoarthritis, contact Greater Rochester Orthopaedics at (585) 295-5476 today.