Nutrition, Exercise and Arthritis!

All people with arthritis, young and old, can benefit from eating a healthy, well-balance diet. A good diet promotes overall health and helps to control weight, which can be a factor in some types of arthritis. This includes a variety of goods, including plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole- grain products, while using sugar, salt and fat (especially saturated fat found in animal products) in moderation. Taking the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals is also an important part of a healthful diet.

The Framingham Osteoarthritis Cohort study determined that in people with osteoarthritis in the knee, an increased intake of Vitamin C was accompanied by a significantly lower risk of progression of the disorder. What's more, people with a higher Vitamin C consumption proved to have a reduced risk of developing knee pain. There is also some evidence that certain nutritional supplements can be helpful in treating the symptoms of certain diseases. For instance, Omega-3 fatty acid found in cold water fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, trout) flaxseed oil and Omega-3 nutritionally enhanced eggs have some anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown the Omega-3 has been successful in treating the pain and inflammation of stiff joints in people with arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis.

Exercise is also an important part of treating arthritis. A properly designed exercise program can not only decrease arthritis pain but can also increase flexibility and overall fitness -- and do wonders for lifting the spirits. Many people with arthritis begin with easy, range-of-motion exercises and low-impact aerobics. People with arthritis can participate in a variety of, but not all, sports and exercise programs. Your doctor or physiotherapist will know which, if any, sports are off-limits. There are a variety of resources, available for people with arthritis: books, videos and web sites. Here a chosen few to get you started. But perhaps the best resource of all is the "Arthritis Society", which has a cornucopia of information about all kinds of arthritis. Visit:

Canadian Arthritis Society:
http://www.arthritis.ca
Toll Free: 1-800-321-1433

Arthritis Foundation (USA)
http://www.arthritis.org/
Toll Free: 1-800-283-7800