Vitamin Information Center

It is a well known fact that ‘we are what we eat’. Food not only affects us physically, but psychologically as well. However, researchers are now looking into the effects of food on chronic ailments like osteoarthritis, only to find that food plays a vital role in dealing with this ailment. Here’s more on this newly developing field of study.

Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is the wear and tear of our joints caused by the breakdown of cartilage in them. Cartilage, which is a hard but slippery tissue between joints, is more of a cushion for the bones which form the joints. It not only avoids direct friction between the bones but, also helps to absorb shock, allowing them to move smoothly over each other, as it is composed of 65-80% water, collagen, proteoglycans and chondrocytes.

This is what happens when you suffer from osteoarthritis –
• Cartilage loss is there.
• Joints begin to deteriorate due to constant rubbing of bones with each other.
• Fluid accumulates in the joints.
• Structural changes and bony overgrowths can be seen around the joint.
• Patient suffers chronic pain.
• Problem can affect the joints of fingers, hips, knees, feet and spine too.
• Severe symptoms might lead to loss of mobility in the patient or disability.

With over 21 million Americans living with the disease, commonly seen in elderly people above the age of 65 years, researchers are now delving into different ways of tackling the problem to gain more control over it, the most recent one being dietary changes for osteoarthritis.

There are various factors which pave way for a person to develop osteoarthritis, like – obesity, vitamin C deficiency, low bone mineral density and vitamin D deficiency. Thus keeping these in mind dieticians suggest some additions and subtractions in your diet to avoid and also keep under control this ailment.

Some dietary changes to keep osteoarthritis at bay -

Foods to avoid -

• Reduce the consumption of fatty foods in your daily intake as the more weight your body has to carry, greater is the burden on the joints and greater the risk.
• Identify the inflammatory elements of your diet by eliminating all short listed ones from the food you consume. Reintroduce them one by one, noting your body’s reactions to them. This would help you identify the culprit food items, which you need to remove at the earliest.
• Common inflammatory foods are – wheat, potato, pepper, egg plant, tobacco, tomatoes etc. you need to stay away from them for about a month and then start reintroducing.
• Elimination of dairy products and animal food has proven to help many. Thus staying on a vegetarian diet would be best for high risk patients.
• Research has shown that periodic fasting has helped show improvement for arthritis patients. It helps to cleanse and restore the digestive system and kidneys, relaxes the mind and nervous system and is good for the well being of the body as whole.
• Lifestyle changes involving elimination of alcohol, smoking, tobacco, coffee, fats, sugar and excessive salt, are now known as ways to overcome the problem at best.

Foods to add -
• Vitamin C is known to develop cartilage, thus foods rich in the vitamin should be deliberately had on a regular basis, in addition to tablets. Some foods are citrus fruits etc.
• Vitamin D helps to decrease the narrowing of joint spacing, thus a daily supplement of the Vit-D tablet is a must for osteoarthritis patients.
• Osteoarthritis symptoms are said to show a slowdown with foods rich in glucosamine and chondroitin.
• In general eating green leafy vegetables, carrots, avocado, sea weeds, fish, soy products, sprouts, oats, barley, rice, millet, and fish like salmons, tuna, sardines etc, help patients suffering from the disease and also help to overcome the above mentioned deficiencies.
• Regular intake of calcium supplements is a must.
• Lifestyle changes like weight reduction, exercising and diet control, not only help reduce weight, they also help people with low bone mineral density.

So eat healthy and live healthy!

For every problem there is always a solution. It just depends on how much you have or are willing to dedicate to the same. Weight loss is also one such issue, but in this case, most people want instant results and want to shed those extra pounds within the shortest span on time. Today, in the market, if you were to scan the shelves you will notice there are more than enough products to reduce weight quickly. But, they might have some adverse side effects or other harmful chemicals in them which is how you lose all that extra weight so quick. So, be aware and be wary of such products, and do not take them unless you get a green signal from your doctor.

Putting on weight happens over a period of time, it is not like you went to bed skinny and woke up overweight. Similarly, you must be ready to invest time in losing weight, to remain healthy and to be able to maintain the weight you have achieved. There are some who suffer from joint pain and legs aching all the time, or shortness of breath. This is due to the fact that their body is not able to bear their body weight. They can try out some of the quick weight loss pills and control their eating habits as well. Adopting a better eating pattern, including more vegetables, low calorie products and avoiding fatty food items, one can accomplish their goals in no time.

Cooking healthy food, which is filled with the required amount of nutrients and vitamins will help the body stay fit and not put on weight. If you eat out a lot, or are into junk food, the fat in the food will get accumulated in your body and that is what adds to the pounds. Fast weight loss will happen if you stick to your diet, and start working out regularly. Our body needs some physical activity to help burn the calories into energy and to increase our metabolism. This will keep our system working well, and burn the excess weight gradually. At the end of a month of such a weight loss program, you will notice you have not only lost weight, but also inches. This in itself is a feel good factor that will motivate you to continue with the weight loss pills and regime.

The ideal amount of weight to lose in a week would be between 1- 2 pounds and if you notice that you lose more than this, you need to check with your doctor. What would happen is along with losing weight, you will grow weaker, which is unhealthy. Taking weight loss pills like Hoodia and others will definitely help in keeping body weight in control, but you should read up before following any medication. If you do not see any weight loss after a month, do not worry, at times our body composition is such that it takes longer to break down the fat.
by Smartress Chikwendu