5 Superfoods that can help arthritis patients
According to studies, Arthritis affects more than 180 million people in India. Unfortunately, the case of arthritis is more rampant in urban spaces due to people’s sedentary lifestyles. That said, much has been done to combat the disease, yet we are not close to the point where arthritis is no longer considered a critical ailment.
In the meantime, while one must note the importance of curated physical movements/exercises (Physiotherapy) to reduce the symptoms of arthritis, it is also essential to note the value of eating the right food. Therefore, let’s take a look at five remarkable ‘Superfoods’ that can make life easier for arthritis patients. Ensure that you integrate them into your diet without fail.
1. Green Leafy Vegetables
Over the centuries, people have been turning towards nature for curing all sorts of ailment. As such, it is no wonder that green leafy vegetables become relevant in the context of arthritis. The disease causes pain and inflammation, which make life very hard for patients, and while there is no direct remedy, certain foods such as green leafy vegetables play a huge role in relieving the painful swellings.
For starters, vegetables are well-endowed with antioxidants and numerous other nutrients that help in the protection of cells against damage and inflammation, including your joints. At this point, green and leafy vegetables can prove to be a major blessing. Vegetables such as spirulina, chlorella, broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts and kale are abundant with vitamins A, C, and K, which are antioxidants that help prevent cell damage.
To that end, you can supplement your intake of green vegetables with various plant-based nutritional supplements for optimal results. These are a go-to for arthritis patients as the natural & plant-based ingredients in these supplements help promote bone strength and avert calcium loss (to prevent the onset of osteoporosis, a disease to which arthritis patients are vulnerable to) from the bones by maintaining hormonal balance in women. It is important to note that plant based calcium and Vitamin D3 help 3X times more calcium absorption and distribution in the body compared to synthetic and non-plant based counterparts.
2. Omega 3
The benefits of omega-3s are well-documented in the international community, especially amongst people suffering from joint pain, inflammation or arthritis. Studies have shown that the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3s can also help prevent various diseases linked to inflammation such as heart disease, besides relieving arthritis in patients. That said, foods such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, canola oil, soya bean oil, etc are excellent sources of omega-3s.
People who consume omega-3 fatty acids witness lower levels of pain and can gradually cut down on their intake of arthritis medications.
3. Green Tea/Matcha
Rheumatoid Arthritis sets in when the immune system attacks itself, drastically affecting the joints that result in inflammation, pain, and swelling. You may be able to reduce the same with regular intake of green tea/matcha as they possess a considerable amount of antioxidant properties. Many studies reveal that polyphenols, which are naturally found abundantly in green tea and matcha, may also help in reducing the symptoms of arthritis.
It is no surprise that countries such as Japan, China, and India have fewer cases of arthritis due to their heavy intake of green tea. The people in these countries regard green tea as therapeutic and consume it regularly.
4. Walnuts
Everyone knows that walnuts are a nutrient-dense superfood. The good news for arthritis patients is that walnuts are loaded with compounds that can reduce inflammations associated with joint disease. Various findings reveal that regular consumption of walnuts was associated with a decrease in inflammation levels. This is because walnuts are exceptionally high in omega-3 fatty acids that can decrease the symptoms of arthritis.
Also, people who have arthritis are more vulnerable to heart disease than average persons. This makes consumption of walnuts all the more critical as they help cut down the risk by a substantial margin.
5. Olive Oil
Olive oil is also very rich in antioxidants. It is an essential food for arthritis patients as the antioxidants contained in olive oil help significantly in the fight against inflammation while preventing blood cholesterol from oxidation. When consumed regularly, the antioxidants contained in olive oil work like an anti-inflammatory drug. Moreover, as per scientific estimates, the compound oleocanthal in 3.4 tablespoons of olive oil generates a similar result as 10% of the dosage of commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs.
Conclusion
Many people have managed to alleviate their conditions by leveraging several tried-and-tested therapeutic approaches. When suffering from a disease, the kind of food you eat is as important as the medication you take. Incorporating the aforementioned Superfoods into one's diet is one of the best ways to fight arthritis. Following a clean, holistic lifestyle coupled with basic exercises when done correctly in a consistent manner, it will go a long way in reducing the symptoms of arthritis.
