Proper diet and nutrition are key elements in the prevention of all types of disease, including arthritis. An important first step in treating arthritis lies in achieving normal body weight. Excess weight puts increased stress on weight-bearing joints affected with arthritis.
Eat a diet that is high in fiber and that is not tainted with chemicals, which stress the body. Maximize your intake of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
Make sure your menu includes cold-water fish such as salmon and halibut.
Avoid saturated fats, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, rich fatty foods, fried foods, and refined sugar. These substances make the internal environment more acidic. Acid in the joints promotes inflammation, which worsens symptoms and increases pain.
Fatty meats, eggs, margarine, shortening, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, sugars, and dairy products should be dramatically cut down or eliminated from the diet.
About one-third of those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis are sensitive to solanines, or nightshade plants, which include potatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and tobacco. These should be eliminated from the diet.
Drink at least six to eight glasses of pure water daily. This will help to flush out toxins from your body.
Foods to eat
- Green vegetables, such as watercress, parsley, celery, kale, and okra
- Seaweeds
- Carrots
- Spirulina
- Barley and wheat grass products (anti-inflammatory and detoxifying)
- Avocados
- Pecans
- Potassium broth
- Soy products
- Whole grains, such as brown rice, millet, oats, wheat, and barley
- Cold-water fish such as salmon, sardines, or herring
Foods to Avoid
Studies have shown that all arthritis symptoms are reduced, even for those with rheumatoid arthritis, after a person adopts a vegetarian diet, free of all animal foods, including-and especially-dairy products.
Calcium Inhibitors
- Reduce or eliminate red meat, dairy, eggs, and chicken
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Refined sugar and too many sweets
- Excess salt
Foods High In Oxalic Acid
- Rhubarb
- Cranberries
- Plums
- Chard
- Spinach
The Nightshade Family of Foods
- Tomatoes
- Eggplant
- Potatoes
- Peppers
- Tobacco
Foods that will Create Wind and Dampness
- Buckwheat
- Dairy foods
- All animal fat
- Nuts, oil-rich seeds, and nut butters