There’s nothing good about terminal cancer pain other than the pain finally ending with death. But there’s another type of chronic pain, arthritis, that goes on and on year after year. It can be a living hell. It’s estimated that more than 50 million North Americans are afflicted with this disease. Now, a report from Tufts University claims that eating right can help the aching joints of both osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear type, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Dr. Miriam Nelson, an expert on nutrition, says, “You might be surprised how modifying the diet can decrease stiffness and inflammation.” Her first suggestion is to start with water. This liquid provides moisture and structural support to joints. It also carries nutrients to where they are needed, and removes the metabolic waste of metabolism.
Obviously, thirst tells us when we need liquids. And we know that we get water from fruits and other foods. But Nelson begs to differ. Rather, she says, as we age, our ability to feel thirst becomes blunted. Moreover, some of the medicines used to treat arthritis can affect thirst.
Nelson stresses it is also crucial to lose weight, because carrying extra weight adds stress to joints. Losing just 11 pounds can decrease symptoms by as much as 50 per cent. For example, a single step triggers a force on the knees and hips two to three times your body weight. Rising from a chair or walking downstairs increases the pressure six times.
But what about nutrients? The Framingham Osteoarthritis study found the progression of osteoarthritis was decreased by 50 per cent in people who consumed the most vitamin C, at least 150 milligrams a day, the amount in two oranges. This vitamin is vital in the formation of collagen and cartilage and rids the joint of damaging free radicals that cause inflammation. Go to docgiff.com to see how much higher doses of vitamin C can prevent and reverse hardening of coronary arteries.
This study also showed the benefit of vitamin D. Nelson recommends 400 IU or more daily. Vitamin D is important in building bone strength and aids in the absorption of calcium. But during the winter months, it’s hard to get this amount of D in the diet without taking a supplement.
The oils we consume also oil our joints. But not all oils are equal. Rather, the oils in our blood contain different types of fatty acids. The good omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation. Omega-6 acids trigger it.
Nelson recommends that it’s prudent to cut back on omega-6 fatty acids. This means decreasing the amount of packaged processed foods, frozen foods, crackers, cookies and many dessert items, along with fried foods. A University of Washington study found that people who ate two or more weekly servings of baked or broiled fish were 40 per cent less likely to develop arthritis due to the omega-3 content.
So what is it that causes joint pain? Fatty acids are the forerunners of compounds called prostaglandins. Some suppress inflammation and others promote it, and it’s inflammation that causes the suffering of arthritis.
The best sources of omega-3 are salmon, halibut and sardines. It’s also present in walnuts, beans, tofu, flaxseed oil, pecans and leafy vegetables.
One message derived from recent studies is that our food habits have changed over the years, but not in a way that cuts down on the chronic problems of aging. In the past, the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 was nearly even. Now, people consume 11 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3.
This negative shift in eating habits has major implications for the future. Our aging population will demand more arthritis therapy and more hip and knee replacements, adding further strain to our health care costs.
Remember that the worst treatment for arthritis is to stop moving. Ships tied up too long develop barnacles. We, too, develop rust in our joints from inactivity. Moderate and continued movement of joints pushes nutrient into cartilage.
Abraham Lincoln once remarked that “I have the best two doctors, my left and right legs.” You need only to look around you to see human obesity and immobility. No wonder the joints seize up.
