How an Anti Inflamatory Diet May Help to Manage Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis is a condition, or rather category of conditions, that affect a person's joints. The primary impactful symptom of arthrtis is swelling and tenderness in joints like fingers, knees, and hips. While it is recommend to seek professional medical diagnosis and treatment for arthritis, an anti inflamitory diet can be followed as an additional avenue toward pain relief and overall wellness. Keep reading to learn more about how an anti inflamitory diet works and how to follow one!

What is an Anti Inflamitory Diet and Why Does it Help Arthritis Symptoms?

An anti inflamitory diet is a diet that prioritizes foods that have shown to decrease inflammation in the body while limiting foods that increase inflammation. Inflamation in the body does not cause arthritis but it can increase symptoms and make them more severe.

Compounds in food that are known to decrease inflammation in the body are omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-cerotine, and antioxidants. Foods that provide these compounds and makeup the foundation of an anti inflammitory diet are; fatty fish, leafy greens, nuts, berries, whole grains, and beans and legumes. Incorporating these foods into your diet can help to reduce inflammation in your joints and thus alleviate some arthritis pain.

Avoiding inflammitory food, food which is known to contribute to inflammation in the body, is just as important as prioritizing anti inflammitory food. Food that is known to contribute to inflammation in the body include, sugar, red meat, fried and processed food, and alcohol. Compounds like salt, unhealthy fats, preservatives, and artifical flavors that are found in these foods contribute to inflamation. You do not have to cut these foods out entirely, but choosing to limit these foods will limit the excess inflammation you introduce into your body.

While an anti inflammitory diet can be beneficial for someone living with arthritis pain, it should not be used as a substitiute for medical treatemnt or medicatioin prescribed by a healthcare professional.

How to Follow an Anti Inflammatory Diet

Following an anti inflammitory diet can be a daunting task, but remember to start small and give yourself grace! Instead of making a big switch to a complete anti inflammitory diet and cutting all sugar and red meat out of your diet, start by making 1 of your meals per day anti inflammatory and build up from there. Below is an example of a day of eating an anti inflammitory diet.

Breakfast:

Oatmeal with cinnamon, honey, berries, and walnuts

Lunch:

Avocado tuna spinach salad

Dinner:

Sheet-Pan Sesame Chicken & Broccoli with Scallion-Ginger Sauce

Final Thoughts

Incorporating more anti inflamatory foods into your diet and limiting inflamitory foods will decrease inflammation in your body which may lead to decreased arthritis pain. Transitioning to an anti inflammatory diet is not easy so be sure to make the change gradually and intentionally. While an anti inflammatory diet should reduce arthritis pain it is not a substitute for medication or medical treatment as perscribed by your doctor.