Achy joints, grinding pain, misshapen fingers – all of these are types of arthritis pain. Arthritis is a catch-all term for joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 different types and is the leading cause of disability in Americans.
If you have arthritis, you know how painful even mild cases can be. Since arthritis involves chronic inflammation, you are at risk for heart disease and other diseases triggered by inflammation.
There are four basic categories of arthritis, including degenerative (osteoarthritis), inflammatory (rheumatoid arthritis), infectious (from an infection), and metabolic (gout). All of these respond, at least in part, to an anti-inflammatory diet.
You’ll love the foods on this list. In fact, you may even opt for these foods if you don’t have arthritis!
7. Vitamin C Rich Foods
Love oranges? You’re in luck. Vitamin C slows progression of osteoarthritis. Get your Vitamin C from oranges, strawberries, pineapple, cantaloupe, broccoli, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Eat these raw, or as appropriate roasted or lightly steamed.
Try not to take supplements because too much Vitamin C can lead to kidney stones. Eating it is easier for your body to take what it needs and eliminate the rest. Vitamin C removes free radicals, lessening arthritis risk. It also helps repair bones, cartilage and other skeletal components.