Conquer Pain: 5 Powerful Foods That End Discomfort and Boost Relief

Posted on by

The next time you’re shopping for groceries, think carefully before you put any food in your cart. Researchers have discovered that what you eat can influence swelling, pain, and stiffness in your joints.


Pick fruits and vegetables.

In one study, people with rheumatoid arthritis stayed at a “health farm” for a month. They fasted for a week, then began eating vegetarian diets. The study participants immediately showed improvement in less painful and swollen joints, greater hand strength, and better overall health. Over the course of a year, they gradually added dairy products to their vegetarian diet and continued to improve. The researchers believe several things could have brought on these remarkable changes.

  • Foods containing gluten, which is found in wheat and other grains, were completely removed from the eating plan. These are known to make rheumatoid arthritis worse.
  • Specific foods that trigger arthritis symptoms, such as food allergies, were eliminated on an individual basis.
  • Fatty acids, believed to cause inflammation, were greatly reduced in the vegetarian diet.
  • A healthy eating plan battles malnutrition, strengthens your immune system, and makes you less likely to suffer from disease.
  • Those on this eating plan lost weight, which can increase your activity level and sense of well-being.

If you want to try a vegetarian diet, make sure you know how to meet your vitamin and mineral needs. Keep in mind that vitamin B12 is only found in foods of animal origin. This means strict vegetarians may become deficient.

Go fish

Eating fish once or twice a week may cut your chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis- but broil or bake it, no frying allowed. Although past studies suggest the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil help control rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, this is the first time research has found evidence that how you cook your fish can make a difference. Only broiling or baking reduced the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, and adding a third serving of fish each week dramatically increased the protection. Choose salmon, mackerel, brook trout, bluefish, herring, or sardines for this joint-saving benefit.


Sip green tea

Animal studies have shown that green tea, with more antioxidants than most vegetables, may prevent rheumatoid arthritis or at least make the symptoms less severe. Although scientists are looking for more hard evidence in humans, go ahead and brew yourself about four cups of this healthy drink each day – it’s a simple, natural way to fight disease.

Walk away from arthritis pain


If you want to keep your joints flexible and strengthen your muscles, get up and get moving. Recent studies show that if you have osteoarthritis in your knees or hips, regular aerobic.

weight-training exercises will lessen your pain, improve your walking ability, and boost your health.
The best approach is to balance periods of activity with rest. And vary your routine-switch off between fitness walking, aerobics, water aerobics, weight-lifting, swimming, cross-country skiing, cycling, or dancing. Start slowly, taking care to warm up, and rest joints that are red and inflamed.


A few tools can make your exercise program easier. When you’re resting, try using a straight-backed chair instead of a recliner. If your bed is soft, try switching to a firmer mattress. Shoes with good shock-absorbing properties help make walking more comfortable, and a walking stick can reduce the pressure on a painful hip by 20 to 30 percent. Be sure to choose a sturdy wooden or metal stick with a comfortable handle that comes to the top of your pelvis. Hold the walking stick on the side opposite your painful joint.


For people who already have arthritis, light aerobic exercise may be better than the more vigorous kind. But researchers are beginning to recognize that for some people, intense, vigorous, aerobic exercise is the therapy that keeps arthritis under control. It can help prevent weight gain, a problem that puts more stress on your joints and makes arthritis worse. In addition, it can improve your overall physical condition, your mental attitude, and your quality of life.
But remember
The wrong type of exercise will increase your risk of developing arthritis or make the condition worse. Watch out for any sport or recreational activity that.

  • involves constant shocks to your joints, like basketball or running
  • requires you to repeatedly bend your knees, like certain calisthenics
  • means picking up heavy loads, like power-lifting

You may be able to keep arthritis symptoms at bay if you exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes each time. Talk with your doctor or physical therapist and tailor an exercise program to meet your needs. Besides increasing your strength and improving your health, exercise can give you a feeling of control over your arthritis.