Eating to Ease Arthritis Pain

Do aches and pains have you out of joint? Do you know certain foods you eat can ease arthritis pain? Concerns culminating in the withdrawal of several selective Cox-2 inhibitors, like Vioxx, have many arthritis sufferers turning to other anti-inflammatory and steroid type prescription and over the counter medications in search of relief.

IS this a good answer? No! Temporary relief by taking medications that cause side effects whether they are prescribed or over the counter is not the solution to our health issues.
Don’t get me wrong; there is a place and a time for medication but there are alternatives worth trying in conjunction with medicine and advice from your health professional.

Alternative options like changing your diet, implementing an exercise routine, yoga and meditation along with supplementation may one day replace your prescriptions! 

(Always consult your medical professional before altering dose or stopping any medications)

Could diet and supplementation provide more reliable solutions to ease arthritis pain? I believe the answer is YES – changing my diet and adding supplementation has made a world of difference in my own personal health journey with rheumatoid arthritis, hashimoto’s and sjogren’s! 

I have helped countless clients reduce pain and inflammation and I am here to help you make this change too, message me any time :).

Read more about my RA story in this blog post >> How to manage the symptoms of RA naturally

Here’s a roundup of recent research into those foods that help support healthy joints: 

* Pineapple: Bromelain is an enzyme that can help ease joint pain and relieve muscle soreness. Scientists at the Dole Nutrition Institute found that fresh or frozen pineapple has as much, if not more, bromelain activity than supplements.

Pineapples also provide an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps promote collagen formation and improve iron absorption, and manganese, which supports metabolism and bone density. 

* Cherries: a top source of anthocyanins that reduce inflammation and may protect against gout (an inflammatory form of arthritis). One study found that cherry consumption lowered blood levels of uric acid, which can accumulate in joints, causing pain. 

* Red bell peppers: Just one contains more than 470 percent of your daily vitamin C needs (yellow peppers contain 450 percent and green peppers contain 190 percent). According to a Boston University study, people getting under 150 milligrams daily of vitamin C had faster cartilage breakdown.

Other top sources of vitamin C are citrus fruit, pineapple, kiwi, cantaloupe, papaya, strawberries, tomatoes, kale, collard greens and sweet potatoes. 

* Broccoli: Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli contain sulforaphane, which triggers the body’s own antioxidant defenses. New research suggests this process may help block effects of Cox-2 enzymes on inflammation.

Broccoli sprouts are one of the most potent sources of these compounds, which you’ll also find in cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts.

* Black cod: Move over, salmon! Black cod has even higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help rheumatoid arthritis by reducing inflammation. Flounder, and halibut also contain this healthy fat, as do flaxseed oil, pecans, walnuts, tofu and leafy green vegetables. 

* Kale: one of the healthier sources of calcium, which helps hold the line against osteoarthritis by slowing bone loss. Be adventurous – try collard greens, arugula, soy and beans in addition to some of the better-known calcium sources. 

* Tea: Green and black tea contain flavonoids, antioxidant compounds that may block the production of prostaglandins, which cause inflammation and pain. Avoid caffeinated beverages whenever possible!

* Button mushrooms: an unexpected source of vitamin D, adequate levels of which decrease vulnerability to arthritis pain. Sunshine enables your body to produce vitamin D; other sources include oysters, sardines and fortified nonfat dairy.

Sorry but not sorry, I tried my darndest but can not eat mushrooms, oysters or sardines……I make sure to take a supplement that includes mushrooms every day!

While the foods cited above have compounds with targeted joint health benefits, Harvard research found a more general link between high fruit and vegetable consumption and lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

By eliminating many of the foods that cause inflammation and adding these foods that ease arthritis pain along with adding in natural supplements; you can have relief from rheumatoid and other arthritis pains. 

What to limit? Red meat. British researchers found that too much red meat increased the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Those who ate the most red meat were twice as likely to develop the condition than those who limited their intake to less than 1 ounce per day.

If you are an avid meat consumer; I suggest decreasing the amount of red meat gradually and before you know it you will not miss it at all.

Eating less meat and more fruit and vegetables also helps maintain a healthy weight – an important facet of managing joint pain.

If you’re among the majority of Americans who are either obese or overweight, slimming down can significantly slow progression of joint degeneration and ease pain. In fact, you can reduce knee stress by 40 to 80 pounds with a mere 10-pound weight loss.

Send me an email or contact me on social media @alignedhealthandmind for more information on the natural pain reliever and plant based,  gut health supplements I take that reduce and ease arthritis pain, promote weight loss, increase energy, and help with many other health issues.