What you eat it can have an effect on how your body handles arthritis. There are more than 100 types of arthritis but all engender joint pain that brings swelling, stiffness and reduced flexibility and mobility. Increasing the amount of nutrients in your diet can help your body fight back against the damage caused by arthritis.
One proven natural therapy is the use of fish oil supplements. Containing omega 3 fatty acids, these have been shown to reduce the inflammation that is the source of the joint pain. The omega 3 fats act to balance the inflammatory properties of arachidonic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid in the body linked to rheumatoid arthritis. Arachidonic acid is an omega 3 fatty acid and while it’s generally good for health, its inflammatory agents are a risk to rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who take omega 3 supplements daily in clinical trials have reported improved joint mobility and less pain while also reducing their dependence on the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs needed for symptom relief.
A balanced diet for a person with arthritis should include regular helpings of oily fish, such as salmon, trout, mackerel and tuna, because they are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. However, you will not get enough omega 3 from a serving of fish alone and so incorporating fish oil supplements into your diet is a good idea.
While fish is generally considered good for you, too much of this protein-rich food can be a bad idea if you suffer from gout, a form of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid that crystallise in the joints. High levels of uric acid are associated with high levels of protein but keeping your fish intake to once or twice a week will help with your overall health.
When selecting a fish oil supplement for your daily diet, look for ones that have been ultra-refined and that are rich in DHA and EPA omega 3 fatty acids.