| The term "arthritis" is derived from the Greek... | | | | acids that promote inflammation. Use olive oil or |
| "arthron" meaning joint... and "it is" meaning | | | | canola oil instead. |
| inflammation. Most types of arthritis are | | | | Secret # 3: Go for veggies and fruits. Many |
| associated with inflammation. Inflammation is a | | | | vegetables and fruits are high in antioxidants that |
| defense mechanism the body employs to fight | | | | fight inflammation. Berries such as blueberries and |
| infection, tumors, and other foreign invaders. The | | | | cherries are excellent and tasty sources of |
| mediator of this inflammatory response is the | | | | anti-inflammatory ingredients. Pineapple is a good |
| immune system. | | | | source of bromelain, an excellent anti-oxidant. |
| Picture an army of warriors - the immune | | | | Secret # 4: Avoid the white poisons. Often |
| response- which is ready and eager to take on | | | | ingredients like refined sugar, refined flour and salt |
| the task of protecting you against enemies. | | | | are used in the production of processed foods |
| Inflammation is regulated so that under normal | | | | such as white bread, sugary cereals, candies, and |
| circumstances, once the problem is taken care of, | | | | pastries. These white poisons promote |
| inflammation stops. Unfortunately, inflammation | | | | inflammation and should be avoided. |
| can escape this control mechanism and become | | | | Secret # 5: Reduce the amount of red meat in |
| chronic. Chronic inflammation, it is believed, is the | | | | your diet: Animal protein contains large amounts |
| underlying basis for the development of diseases | | | | of pro-inflammatory fatty acids. |
| such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. | | | | Secret #6: Reduce the amount of trans fat in |
| So is there a way to manipulate the diet so that | | | | your diet. Trans fats, which are present in fried |
| arthritis damage caused by inappropriate | | | | foods, cakes, pies, cookies, and other baked |
| inflammation can be controlled? Recent research | | | | goods, increase low density cholesterol (LDL). This |
| has suggested that diets that contain omega-3 | | | | is the bad cholesterol that is pro-inflammatory. |
| fatty acids that combat inflammation may be | | | | Secret # 7: Use more spices: Spices such as |
| useful. Also, the elimination of foods containing | | | | curcumin, garlic, ginger, contain ingredients which |
| omega-6 fatty acids which promote inflammation | | | | have been shown in some well-controlled studies |
| is also helpful. | | | | to reduce the inflammation of arthritis. |
| Here is a list of seven "insider secrets" that you | | | | Some people have claimed that dairy products |
| should know about. | | | | and nightshade vegetables such as eggplant, |
| Secret #1: Make cold water fish part of your diet | | | | potatoes, and tomatoes, cause their arthritis to |
| at least two to three times a week. Examples | | | | get worse. There may be some individual food |
| include cold water salmon (not farm raised), | | | | sensitivities/ allergies that do aggravate arthritis. |
| sardines, herring, cod, and trout. The reason? | | | | However, a blanket statement about the role of |
| These types of fish are rich in omega-3 fatty | | | | dairy products and nightshade plants is not |
| acids. If fish is something you don't enjoy, | | | | warranted. At our center we do suggest the use |
| consider flax seed, walnuts, or dietary fish | | | | of food allergy testing in individuals who have |
| supplements... all of which also contain significant | | | | arthritic symptoms that are troublesome and |
| amounts of omega-3. (Note: If you are a blood | | | | appear to be food-induced. For more information |
| thinner, consult your doctor before taking a | | | | about food allergy testing, call us at (301) |
| dietary supplements with omega-3 since your | | | | 694-5800. |
| drug dose may need to be adjusted.) | | | | Finally, dietary manipulation should not be used as |
| Secret #2: Reduce the amount of certain oils | | | | a substitute for proper and aggressive |
| such as corn oil, sunflower oil, and safflower oil. | | | | conventional medical care. A rheumatologist should |
| These contain large amounts of omega-6 fatty | | | | be consulted. |