Eating Right to Treat Hurting Joints

We’ve all experienced ‘inflammation’ at some point, for example, when you cut yourself and the area around your wound is swollen and red, that’s inflammation. In most cases, inflammation means that your immune system has responded to attack by deploying germ fighting ‘warrior’ cells, which is a good thing. However, if you’re suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation can mean that your immune system is actually attacking, and destroying, your joints.The good news is that eating a well-rounded and healthy diet is a great start when it comes to combating inflammation and can ease the pain of your hurting joints. There are some foods in particular that seem to carry more ‘inflammation fighting’ power than do others. Foods with protein restraining chemicals seem to boast the most inflammation fighting properties.

Foods right in omega-3 are wonderful when it comes to inflammation of the joints. Salmon, tuna, cod, and mackerel are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Try to eat at least two servings of fish per week, that should amount to about seven ounces per week. If you don’t like fish, consider a supplement of fish or flaxseed oil every day.

Cow and goat’s milk contain what is knows as CLAs or conjugated linoleic acids. Research indicates that consuming a few servings of low or non-fat dairy products on a daily basis will help eliminate inflammation.

Olive oil is another excellent treatment for inflammation. Did you know that taking just 3.5 tablespoons of olive oil (preferably extra virgin) will lesson your joint pain because it provides the same relief as a 200 milligram ibuprofen.

You should also do your best to make sure you’re getting enough fiber. A high fiber diet will reduce inflammation in the body, and help to heal your hurting joints.

A few other foods that will help to reduce the inflammation of your joints are ginger, tumeric, cherry, pomegranate, and black or green tea.

Individually, these foods will provide you only nominal relief, BUT if you take them in conjunction with one another, you should see some powerful changes in your joint inflammation and can even help to eliminate your need for medication!