Arthritis Diet

There are many ways to manage arthritic pain, including exercise and taking both natural and prescription medication. But one of the most successful and simplest approaches to managing the pain associated with an arthritic condition is through dietary change. By incorporating an arthritis diet into one’s lifestyle, one can manage not only the often times disabling pain of arthritis, but also work to prevent the onset or advancement of arthritis.

Diet for Osteoarthritis information

QualityHealth is your resource for starting an arthritis or osteoarthritis diet. From understanding what foods can help prevent arthritis and what foods might actually lead to the onset of arthritic pain, QualityHealth provides a wealth of information.

As a member of QualityHealth, you get quick and convenient access to the most up to date arthritis diet information. Here’s just a sampling of the expert advice you can expect from QualityHealth:

Essentials to the Arthritis Diet

Green Tea

One essential ingredient in any arthritis diet is green tea. Although green tea has many health benefits, one particular benefit is it may combat arthritis. Green tea is an excellent source of antioxidants that, when made a part of an arthritis diet, have been shown to significantly reduce both the onset and severity of arthritis pain.

Smart Weight Loss

Another important consideration is the effect such weight loss programs as a low carb diet has on the risk of developing such arthritic conditions as osteroarthritis. According to some studies, the use of a low carb diet – which increases the amounts of saturated fat, animal protein and cholesterol and lacks important nutrients – actually increases the risk of developing different types of arthritis. For this reason, any diet for osteoarthritis should include carbohydrates.

Obesity

One of the leading causes of arthritis is obesity, as the joints’ need to handle increased weight wears them down quicker and leads to the development of arthritis. If one is overweight, a diet for osteroarthritis should focus on weight loss and weight management. Other considerations in an arthritis diet are food sensitivities, as several test have linked food sensitivities to the development of various forms of arthritis.

Red Meat

Just as certain types of food can be beneficial to an arthritis diet, other foods can be harmful and thus should be eliminated from a diet for osteoarthritis. For example, a significant consumption of red meat in a diet has been linked with an increased risk for developing the disease.

The QualityHealth Difference

The key to preventing arthritis and to managing arthritic pain is to incorporate a healthy arthritis diet into one’s lifestyle. By understanding the benefits and potential harmful effects of various foods, one can easily make a diet for osteoarthritis part of their arthritis treatment plan.

QualityHealth is your comprehensive resource to preventing arthritis. Join QualityHealth today to get instant, around the clock access to in-depth expert advice on starting a beneficial arthritis diet- allowing you to live a healthy and happy life.

Review Date: 12/21/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.