Nutrition and Arthritis

The role of diet and nutrition in preventing arthritis had been dismissed by most doctors in the past. Today, however, the medical world has recognized the significance of a well-balanced diet and proper nutrition in preventing arthritis.

A healthy, well-balanced diet can reduce the risk of arthritis for it will provide the essential nutrients and vitamins needed by the body to perform its functions. A healthy diet consists of a balanced proportion of fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products and moderate amount of sugar, salt and saturated fat.

Some vitamins and minerals found in fruits, vegetable and other food have been known to help minimize the risk of arthritis. In fact, a study from the University of Manchester in Great Britain revealed that drinking a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice a day may cut the risk of developing inflammatory forms of arthritis because of the dietary carotenoids, such as beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin, found in oranges.

Other studies also found that fatty oils reduce inflammation, pain and redness in many forms of arthritis. This is one of the reasons why most doctors advise their patients, particularly those with arthritis, to eat salmon, sardines, halibut and other cold-water fish.