How Do Foods Help People Who Have Arthritis?

Arthritis can be a symptom of a food allergy. Carefully eliminating certain foods from your diet can help you determine what foods aggravate the inflammation that makes arthritis painful. In addition, some foods or supplements might help ease the pain of arthritis.

Meat-Free Diets

• Meats can trigger hormonal imbalances in the body that create arthritic pains. Tofu and soy are great substitutes for meats.

Capsaicin

• This is the powerful phytonutrient in chili. When applied as a cream to a painful area, it interferes with the neurotransmitters that send pain information to the brain. Consult a physician for brands of this cream to use.

Ginger

• This plant has anti-inflammatory properties. It can be taken in doses of 500-1,000 mg per day.

Supplements

• Nutrient supplements that might help with arthritis symptoms include SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine), glucosamine sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate.

Vegan Diets

• Generally, a plant-based diet helps to control arthritic pains. However, citrus fruits, tomatoes and peppers have been shown to trigger arthritis.