One of the greatest contributors to joint pain is inflammation. It’s the body’s reaction to injury or damage, but when inflammation’s out of control it can lead to severe impairment of mobility and increased pain. Fortunately, it can be attacked head-on and at the cellular level with inflammation-reducing foods, supplements and exercise. Here is Health Fitness Revolution’s list of best and worst foods for joint health:
Put your kitchen on a diet
Empty your fridge and pantry of food that will add to joint pain. Remove:
- high-carb
- high-salt
- foods with preservatives
- unhealthy trans fats
- saturated fat-laden foods
- corn oil
- fried foods
- cut out candies
- processed foods
- white flour baked goods
- sodas
- alcohol
- tobacco
Shop for healthy joints
- Vegetables full of vitamins and phytonutrients (zucchini, red peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and more)
- Seasonings to liven up your meals and please your palate (including ginger, garlic, cinnamon)
- Dairy products that contain healthy fats to slow carbohydrate absorption (cottage cheese, yogurt, mozzarella cheese)
- Fruits that are full of nutrients and fiber (apple, avocado, pomegranate)
- Beans that are packed with protein and fiber (like chick peas, lentils)
- Breads and pastas that are tasty and low-carb (such as pumpernickel, whole wheat, fettuccine egg pasta)
- Proteins that are the mainstay of an anti-inflammatory diet (including salmon, lobster, grass-fed beef)
- Green Tea burns calories, protects your cartilage, reduces the rate of bone loss, and is a powerful inflammation fighter
- Add fiber—particularly in snacks, it will add to the feeling of fullness and bridge the gap between meals. Munch on apple slices or thin slices of cucumber with hummus. When eaten with carbohydrates, the fiber will slow down the absorption of the inflammation provoking carbohydrates.
- Power up your protein go for lean cuts of grass-fed beef or wild salmon to boost your protein. These powerful protein sources will provide healthy saturated fats (yes, there are healthy saturated fats!) as well as inflammation-fighting Omega-3 fats that will help keep you trim and give your joints some relief.
Move right and move right now!
Add aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises to your life. Even 10 minutes a day can help your joints. And if you’re in pain, move wisely—walk, use the lightest weight possible, and gently stretch.
By making these changes you can reduce the amount of inflammation in your joints, reduce your pain, and get moving in the right direction for a life of mobility, enjoyment and comfort.
