If you are like the 40 million Americans who suffer from arthritis pain, you’ve probably tried a number of medications to eliminate the pain. But did you know that there are foods that may actually reduce the inflammation and associated pain? Eating these foods on a regular basis may reduce or eliminate your need to continue the use of medications.
GINGER: According to the American College of Rheumatology (2001), the common household spice Ginger has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory effects. In a study involving 29 people over a 12 month month period, Ginger was found to both reduce the swelling and the associated pain in patients who had Osteoarthritis of the knee. It should be noted; however that if you are taking a blood thinning medication, Ginger can also thin the blood. Caution is advised in combing Ginger with blood thinning medications.
OLIVE OIL: Extra Virgin olive oil acts much like the drug ibuprofen, the generic name for Motrin, as an anti-inflammatory. Although it does not provide immediate pain relief in the same way ibuprofen does, taken over a period of time, Olive Oil may have the same long term effect on inflammation as ibuprofen. Olive oil is also known to provide many other health benefits and promotes a healthy cardiovascular system. Daily doses of 2.6 gm resulted in a significant clinical benefit and reduced the need for other medication in the patients studied.( American College of Rheumatology 1994).
ORANGES: A group of researchers at the University of Manchester has reported that an increase in beta-cryptoxanthin, found in many fruits and vegetables, will reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). One glass of orange juice daily contains enough to reduce your risk.
Other good sources of beta-cryptoxanthin are tangerines, watermelon, peaches, papaya, plums, nectarines, and apricots. Vegetables such as sweet redpeppers, pumpkin, squash, corn, carrots, cilantro and pickles also have a modest amount of beta-cryptoxanthin. If you eat a good mix of these fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, not only will you consume beta-cryptoxanthin , you will be consuming other carotenoids which may provide other health benefits
Cinnamon : The Health benefits of cinnamon include alleviating inflammation commonly occurring in arthritis. As little as 1/4 teaspoon a day is enough to combat inflammation. Cinnamon in powder form is ineffective when it comes in contact with saliva. It is recommended that you grind cinnamon with your coffee or use cinnamon sticks to make tea in hot water. Another alternative is to purchase cinnamon capsules at the pharmacy or health food store that have been made with a water soluble extract in the equivalent of 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon taken twice a day.
Grains: Nuts and whole grains, such as: brown rice, millet, buckwheat , whole wheat, and rye are high in magnesium. Legumes, including lentils, split peas, and a variety of beans also provide high levels of magnesium. Magnesium is needed for calcium absorption. If you do not consume enough magnesium, any calcium you consume can collect in the soft tissues and cause arthritis. Taking calcium supplements without being sure your body has enough magnesium, can actually increase your arthritis symptoms. If your arthritis is due to a calcium deficiency, proper dosages of magnesium may solve the problem.
Including these foods in your normal diet will provide your body with numerous health benefits. Not only will you be treating your arthritis, but your whole body as well. A diet high in whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables promotes weight loss, which in turn, will reduce the stress on your joints and your symptoms of arthritis will diminish. It is truly a win win situation.
