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Holistic Diet for Arthritis

Arthritis, an inflammatory disease of the joints, can manifest itself in the body in many different ways. But when it comes to managing arthritis with lifestyle changes, the key word to keep in mind is "inflammatory." Even when arthritis is treated effectively with medication, certain foods can exacerbate inflammation and thus the arthritic condition. Once an arthritis sufferer pinpoints the foods that could be causing the problem, studies show that eliminating these foods from the diet can--and usually does--help arthritis symptoms.

  1. Identifying inflammatory foods in the diet

    • Inflammatory foods not only aggravate arthritis. They also contribute to obesity and a host of other health problems. Typically, foods high in fat and cholesterol, such as fried foods, contribute greatly to inflammatory problems throughout the body.

      Other foods and substances that could likely cause problems because of their chemical properties include: sugar, salt, refined white foods such as potatoes and white bread (because they easily break down into glucose in the body), red meat, dairy products such as butter and chocolate, caffeine, vinegar and tobacco products. Some holistic doctors also recommend staying away from the "nightshade" food family--tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and white potato--because of their tendency to aggravate inflammatory symptoms.

    Identifying anti-inflammatory foods

    • Now that we know what to remove from our diets, what do we replace those foods with? The answer is likely not surprising, for these foods are already recommended for weight loss and living an overall healthy lifestyle. Start with fruits. Apples, berries, cantaloupe and fruits high in vitamin C are known inflammation fighters. Vegetables such as spinach, carrots, broccoli, cabbage and others high in vitamins A and C will also help with inflammation. Perhaps the best known anti-inflammatory foods are those that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and milled flax seed. Unsalted nuts and seeds also contain good fats that ease inflammation.

    Linking dietary changes with lifestyle changes

    • Changing the diet is just one part of the equation when it comes to holistically fighting arthritis. In addition to closely monitoring what to eat and how it affects the body, it's important to exercise as much as one's individual arthritic condition will allow. Don't overdo it, but don't remain sedentary. Staying moderately active has been known to greatly improve arthritis symptoms. This, combined with healthy eating habits may be all some arthritis sufferers need to get their mobility back.

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