Arthritis can have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life and wellbeing due to acute and chronic pain, physical limitations, management of the condition and mental health issues. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of Arthritis and one we note many cases of in our clinic – get help here.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease whereby the cartilage around the ends of bone wears down! In Australia nearly 10% of the current population have this disease which impacts ability and function in hands, spine and joints such as hips, knees and ankles, and usually gets worse over time.
In many instances a new client presenting their situation to us are unaware of the ways in which nutrition (anti-inflammatory eating) and supplementation support can drastically help with this condition. Often clients with diagnosed Osteoarthritis also present with obesity to our clinic – so upon first presentation wish to tackle weight issues however the best thing about what we can offer is a holistic nutrition solution.
Key Dietary changes when tackling Osteoarthritis
- CUTTING SUGAR! One of our first dietary interventions we encourage the client to pursue is cutting out processed foods and sugars. These are very inflammatory in the cells and will be like throwing more petrol onto the fire for someone with this type of disease.
- ADDING IN OMEGAS! This is the most inconsistent area of most peoples diets when it comes to meal intake – that being the consumption of omega 3 fatty acids. Unfortunately many parts of our society just don’t encourage or steer us to enough consumption of this type of micro nutrient in foods. Omega 3 fatty acids are extremely helpful in reducing joint pain and can be found in salmon, mackerel fish, sardines or trout. Supplementation is also very much suggested when a client lacks an abundance of omega 3 fatty acids and is fighting this condition.
- UP GARLIC INTAKE! Okay so not to everyone’s preference so again some supplementation can be very beneficial here – however if you enjoy the flavour hit to your cooking adding in additional unprocessed garlic is great for arthritis support. With powerful anti-inflammatory properties in doses of 1000mg, it can relieve joint stiffness.
- UP YOUR GREENS! cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are one of the healthiest foods packed with antioxidants that help cell healing. Broccoli also has good level of calcium plus assists with calcium absorption supporting bones to strengthen.
- PROMOTE COLLAGEN STIMULATION! Our bodies naturally produce collagen (of course the way we nourish it determines how well we produce it) as we age, impacted by disease or trauma to the body e.g. surgery, then our collagen production can slow. Ensuring the diet is high in vitamin C helps stimulate collagen production as well as considering a therapeutic grade collagen such as this one, which builds back up the body’s own collagen stores.
- TRANSFORMING TO MEDITERRANEAN APPROACH! Whilst specific changes can be a high difference, if wanting to really support management and healing then considering an overall nutrition change to a Mediterranean approach. Here you will be regularly and consistently be nourishing your body with fatty fish, dark greens, seeds, nuts, healthy fats and herbs – the nutrients in these food types make for a potent anti-inflammatory approach.
REDUCING INFLAMMATION & SLOWING DISEASE PROGRESSION
The disease-fighting power of the Mediterranean diet stems from its ability to regulate inflammation by focusing on anti-inflammatory foods (berries, fish, olive oil) and excluding or limiting pro-inflammatory ones (red meat, sugar and most dairy).
There are a variety of foods in the Mediterranean diet that are high in fibre, beta carotene, magnesium and omega 3s, which have been found to actively reduce inflammatory markers in human studies. If we can help the client reduce inflammatory symptoms of osteoarthritis we can then ensure their prescription medication dose is not increased and quality of life improved.
Weight loss is also very important in managing osteoarthritis as excess body fat mass places a significant impact on joint. A healthy weight range will relieve pressure off the joints and provide more comfort and mobility back to the body.
Nutrition for Life Healthcare is a leading Nutrition healthcare provider in the management and reversal of chronic disease. To contact our clinic please see here.
To try our recommended products for osteoarthritis here.
