Foods to Avoid When You Have Osteoarthritis

1. Foods to Avoid When You Have Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a common condition in which cartilages present in the joints break or tear. The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis are back pain and joint pain in the knees, hip, thumbs, or hands. If you feel persistent joint pain, it is recommended to use back pain spray to obtain instant relief, besides professional consultation. To avoid and alleviate constant osteoarthritic pain, you can adopt some preventive measures too: avoiding unnecessary stress on the joints, physical therapy, evaluating your food habits, etc. Let us read about some food items you must avoid when you have osteoarthritis, and why. Foods to avoid when you have osteoarthritis •Sugar Added sugar is prevalent in many products: bakery products, beverages, candies, soda, etc. Sugar acts as an inflammatory messenger and worsens the condition. •Salt Salt is necessary to maintain fluid balance in the body. However, too much salt in the diet may cause excessive fluid retention. This results in increased swelling and inflammation in joints.

2. •Saturated fats Many food products like pizza, red meat, etc. are high in saturated fats. Queensland researcher found that saturated fatty acid in the cartilage changes its metabolism and weakens it, making it more prone to damage. They also observed changes in the bone structure beneath the cartilage. The loss in the cushioning ability of cartilage worsens joint inflammation and increases osteoarthritic pain. Apart from making dietary changes, you can seek relief by using a back pain spray. •Refined Carbohydrates Refined carbohydrates present in sweets, baked foods (e.g. bread), fried snacks, rice, etc. have a high level of added sugars, salt, and fat. The high temperatures used to prepare some of these foods combine the ingredients to form harmful oxidants. These cause oxidative stress, which in turn triggers inflammation in the joints. •Omega-6 fatty acids Most vegetable oils (corn or sunflower oil) and meat (chicken, beef, and pork), etc. contain pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. This naturally worsens joint inflammation. On the other hand, omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation. These are present in walnuts, salmon, etc. The key is to balance the ratio between these omega fatty acids. •Dairy products Milk is known for strengthening the joints because of its calcium density. However, some dairy products like whole milk, cream, cheese, and butter have a high level of saturated fat, which we now know fuels inflammation in the body. Other dairy products like ice cream, yogurt, etc. contain excess sugar, which again increases or worsens the inflammation. •Alcohol Excessive intake of alcohol damages the body over time. Mixed alcoholic drinks contain a high level of sugar, which worsens overall body inflammation and may indirectly affect your joint pain. •Gluten Sometimes, gluten sensitivity may trigger joint pain through an inflammatory response in the body. Therefore, an orthopedic doctor may recommend you adopt a gluten-free diet. Conclusion

3. Avoiding inflammatory foods will inevitably help in reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis. If the case worsens, you may use back pain spray for instantaneous relief, and consult a doctor. There are also nutritious, anti-inflammatory foods that you could include in your revamped diet, such as: •Oily fish •Flaxseed oil •Chia seeds •Walnuts •Extra virgin olive oil •Avocado oil •Leafy green vegetables •Broccoli •Spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric •Mushrooms •Green tea •Cherries •Citrus fruits •Nuts •Low fat milk and mil products Maintaining a healthy diet slows down the wear and tear of joints that occurs due to aging. Preventive measures like back pain spray and anti-inflammatory products in your diet may relieve osteoarthritis by: •Reducing inflammation and flaring up of joint pain •Preventing further damage •Reducing ‘bad’ cholesterol •Maintaining a healthy weight Source - Blogspot