Osteoarthritis affects over 30 million adults in the country. It is a painful condition and often present flareups of pain and other symptoms. This type of arthritis is chronic and at best, medications and treatment can help manage the discomforts to some extent. Further, the following dietary tips for osteoarthritis pain management can help plan a diet to supplement the natural repair and recovery.

Include These Foods in your Daily Diet
Certain foods contain high doses of vitamins A, C, and E and boast antioxidant properties that fight and reduce the oxidative damage. These properties collectively help prevent severe joint damage and aid in the repair and recovery process. Some foods that help are

• Fatty Fish
  Sardines, mackerel, tuna, and salmon are rich sources of omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are one of the most potent compounds that helps fight the inflammation.
• Healthy Oils
  Fish, flaxseed, sunflower, and extra virgin olive oils can be incorporated in cooking. They can replace hydrogenated (refined oils) and vegetable oils that increase the risk of cholesterol.
• Healthy Nuts and Seeds
  An assortment of nuts contains healthy fibers, vitamins, nutrients, and mainly high levels of calcium essential for bone health. It’s advisable to check with a nutritionist and identify allergy-free nuts that can combat the discomforts of osteoarthritis.
• Green Vegetables
  Leafy greens like spinach, kale, chard, and collard greens are loaded with vitamin D, certain phytochemicals, and antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress. Broccoli is the hero of leafy greens rich in vitamins K and C as well as calcium that helps repair and maintain healthy bones.

Follow the Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet mainly consists of natural and organic inflammation-fighting foods. One can heed to expert dietary tips for osteoarthritis given by certified nutritionists and incorporate more fiber, starch, fruits and vegetables, fish, and whole grains in place of refined grains. This diet automatically helps reduce the intake of sugars, salt, and refined oils or flours that can lead to a flareup. The diet also recommends reducing the intake of certain red meats and advises switching to lean cuts rich in proteins making it easier for the digestive system to process.

Know the Foods to Avoid
Among common dietary tips for arthritis, one should be also aware of the foods to avoid to ensure there are no flareups of the symptoms. You must avoid eating sugar-rich baked goods and confectionaries as these are rich sources of carbohydrates that can affect immunity. They also alter the body’s natural response to fight and ward off diseases. Similarly, one must also monitor their salt intake as too much of it forces the cells to retain water unnaturally and results in inflammation. Avoid foods bought off the shelves in the supermarket. They contain trans-fats, saturated fats, preservatives, and additives, all compounds that hamper the body’s overall ability to maintain healthy immune function.

If the symptoms persist despite following these dietary tips for arthritis, it is advisable to consult with a specialist.