A Blog About Arthritis Pain Relief

I am sure that by now we are all familiar with anti-inflammatory medications, but have you heard of the power of anti-inflammatory foods?  Did you know that adding certain foods to your diet can significantly improve how you feel and help to decrease your risk for chronic diseases?

In addition to rest, medications, and light exercise, adding special foods with anti-inflammatory properties should be considered when establishing your therapeutic approach to managing your pain. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and celebrex, can have pretty nasty side effects, so it is important to look into and incorporate other non-invasive sources to your pain management, such as a healthier diet.  The upside to including foods with natural anti-inflammatory properties is that they can also help reduce your risk of developing other deadly diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease because they are naturally low in saturated fats.

It’s never too late to change your lifestyle.  Schedule an appointment with your doctor to go over new and different approaches to alleviating your arthritis pain.  Live better and healthier by taking charge of your diet and getting your life back!

Here is a list of some of the oils, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, fiber and spices to include to you new anti-inflammatory diet.  So, be sure to add these to your grocery list!  And remember, moderation is key.

Fats and Oils

Including the correct types of fats into your diet can make a huge impact on your pain level by helping to reduce that pesky inflammation.  For example, Omega-3 essential fatty acids (found in flax seeds and special types of fish) are very powerful anti-inflammatory agents.

1. Cold Water Oily Fish
2. Walnuts and Walnut Oil
3. Flax Seeds
4. Canola Oil
5. Pumpkin Seeds
6. Rice Bran Oil
7. Grape Seed Oil

Protein

It is important to ensure you have a proper intake of protein because your body utilizes the protein you eat to rebuild tissue.  There are also many other great protein sources besides meat that can help reduce inflammation.  If you can’t avoid taking meat out of your diet all together, try to cut back (if not completely avoid) red meat, as it raises your risk of developing diseases and is horrible for the environment.

1. Lean Poultry
2. Fish and Seafood
3. Nuts, Legumes and Seeds
4. Soy Milk and Soy Beans
   

Carbohydrates

Be sure that the majority of your daily carbohydrate intake comes from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The carbohydrates to avoid are the simple carbs that you find in white bread, pasta, and white rice. Stick to complex carbohydrates, such as the ones listed below:

1. Oats
2. Buckwheat
3. Whole grains
4. Brown rice
5. Unrefined sugars

Fiber

Foods high in dietary fiber, such as whole grains, leafy vegetables and fruit, can help to significantly reduce inflammation.  As a rule of thumb, try to choose vibrantly colored vegetables, leafy greens, and whole fresh fruits.

1. Blueberries, Strawberries, and Cranberries
2. Pineapple
3. Grapefruit
4. Onions
5. Kale
6. Garlic
7. Broccoli
8. Spinach

Spices

There are several herbs that have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, because they contain phytochemicals, which naturally help to combat ailments such as arthritis, cancer, and heart disease.

1. Ginger
2. Turmeric
3. Black Pepper
4. Rosemary
   
5. Basil
   
6. Garlic
   
7. Cloves
   
8. Parsley

Check out these links for more examples of anti-inflammatory foods!

Shopping List

List of Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Healthy Foods