6 Foods That Help Treat Arthritis
And Medications to Consider
Arthritis is a painful issue that occurs when there is significant inflammation or swelling of one, or more, of your joints. Symptoms vary based on the kind of arthritis you have, but generally the main symptoms of any kind of arthritis are stiff joints and joint pain. There is currently no cure for arthritis, but there are various medications you can be prescribed to help deal with the inflammation and pain. For example, Advil for arthritis, topical arthritis cream, like Voltaren, joint pain medication rx, Rinvoq medication, and Actemra Ra treatment. If you’re worrying about cost, like the price of Tofacitinib 5 mg, don’t fret—most medications and treatments will be prescribed and should be covered by your health insurance policy, so be sure to check. Doctors also recommend patients with arthritis to eat a balanced diet with many vitamins and minerals as it may help reduce side effects of medications as well as reduce inflammation. Read on to learn about 6 foods that help treat arthritis:
1. Olive oil
Olive oil is full of heart-healthy fats and oleocanthal that has been shown to have properties similar to that in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications—thus, adding olive oil to your cooking is very healthy and can reduce inflammation in the body.
2. Fatty fish
Fatty fish, like salmon and tuna, are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D that both help to reduce inflammation. If you don’t enjoy eating fish, there are also supplements like fish oil that can help you get all the benefits.
3. Green tea
There are many health benefits to drinking green tea including the fact that it is packed with polyphenols, antioxidants that can stop the production of inflammatory chemicals within the body—including those involved in arthritis. Next time, try swapping out your morning coffee for a cup of green tea and see how you feel.
4. Citrus fruits
Lemons, oranges, and grapefruit are all citrus fruits that contain high levels of vitamin C. Getting the proper amount of vitamins in your diet are essential for preventing inflammatory arthritis while also maintaining healthy joints, so stock up on your favorite citrus and pack them in your lunch for a healthy and easy snack.
5. Grains
Foods containing whole grains, such as bread, oatmeal, whole-grain cereal, and oatmeal, are great for reducing levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood. High CRP is a cause of inflammation that can result in heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes, so go for grains to help lower your CRP and, in turn, lower your inflammation.
6. Nuts
Nuts like walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and so on, are high in fiber, protein, calcium, zinc, vitamin E, and more, making them a great snack to boost a well-rounded diet. Nuts are heart-healthy which make them an even better option for those with arthritis, in particular rheumatoid arthritis, as they are more at risk of getting heart disease.