Over the weekend a question came in regarding fish oil and arthritis, and the person who wrote in wanted to know what foods to eat and what supplements would help with her arthritis problems.
Generally, with regard to food, you should eat foods as close to their natural state as possible. This means vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, fresh fruits, and dairy. You'll notice that processed foods aren't on the list, and neither are fast foods.
When you go to the grocery store you should only shop in 3 areas, at most: The area for meat/poultry/seafood, and the vegetable and fruit areas. All the rest of the packaged products can just just sit on the shelf, undisturbed by you.
Now that can be unrealistic, although still a good goal. Some processed food will make it's way into your plate at some point. Maybe even quite a bit.
Keep in mind that the elements that provide real nourishment for your body, like enzymes, vitamins, fatty acids, minerals, amino acids, and other elements, are usually stripped from processed foods.
Inflammation can result from not getting these items in the needed amounts, especially fatty acids.
The long chain omega-3 fatty acids help block the dietary omega-6 fatty acids, so high in the Western diet, which actually promote inflammation, restore the correct lipid balance your body needs, and are absolutely essential to combating the pain and joint stiffness of inflammation.
Food manufacturers usually strip out the essential elements you need for a very simple reason. It's called "shelf life." They don't want their product to spoil, so they take these essential elements out to retard spoilage.
It isn't always easy to eat the right kind of food. But these guidelines should provide some help.
Generally, with regard to food, you should eat foods as close to their natural state as possible. This means vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, fresh fruits, and dairy. You'll notice that processed foods aren't on the list, and neither are fast foods.
When you go to the grocery store you should only shop in 3 areas, at most: The area for meat/poultry/seafood, and the vegetable and fruit areas. All the rest of the packaged products can just just sit on the shelf, undisturbed by you.
Now that can be unrealistic, although still a good goal. Some processed food will make it's way into your plate at some point. Maybe even quite a bit.
Keep in mind that the elements that provide real nourishment for your body, like enzymes, vitamins, fatty acids, minerals, amino acids, and other elements, are usually stripped from processed foods.
Inflammation can result from not getting these items in the needed amounts, especially fatty acids.
The long chain omega-3 fatty acids help block the dietary omega-6 fatty acids, so high in the Western diet, which actually promote inflammation, restore the correct lipid balance your body needs, and are absolutely essential to combating the pain and joint stiffness of inflammation.
Food manufacturers usually strip out the essential elements you need for a very simple reason. It's called "shelf life." They don't want their product to spoil, so they take these essential elements out to retard spoilage.
It isn't always easy to eat the right kind of food. But these guidelines should provide some help.
About the Author:
Dr. Bill is a health expert and orthopaedic surgeon. For his personal health, he uses this brand of pharmaceutical grade fish oil.