Do you know it’s easy to enjoy the arthritis fighting benefits of nutrient-dense foods with every meal of the day? The amazing part of it is you can select from nearly every food group to arm yourself to battle the pain of arthritis and begin best of all you’ll be doing it naturally from the inside out.
The first choice is Salmon. This fish is among the richest sources of healthy fats, making it an ideal source of naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, salmon contains folate, calcium and vitamin D. Besides helping with joints, enjoying salmon may also protect the cardiovascular system by preventing blood clots, repairing artery damage, raising levels of good cholesterol, and even lowering blood pressure.
The next choice is often referred to as one of nature’s ‘perfect foods’. This ideal food is the banana. They are known best for packing a punch full of potassium, but they're also good sources of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin C. These also help with joint health. The reason is they are easy for your body to digest, and since they’re a great source of soluble fiber, they play an important role in helping to also lose weight since you fell full after eating one without consuming a large number of calories.
The green pepper is the third joint food, especially if you aren’t a big fan of citrus fruit, yet are in need of vitamin C. A single green pepper delivers 176% of your daily needs for vitamin C and the more colorful red and yellow varieties can deliver more than double that amount. That makes them richer in C than citrus fruits and sweet peppers are also excellent sources of vitamin B6 and folate.
Vitamin D is a tough one to come by in foods, but shrimp fills that bill, since they have about 30 percent of the daily recommended amount in about three ounces – much more than a cup of milk. Shrimp contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C, along with other nutrients essential for general health, including iron and vitamin B12.
Cheese is another choice to consider. It can be hard or soft, fresh or ripened. Cheese in all its variety is an excellent source of calcium for bones, and protein for muscles and other joint-supporting tissues. Cheese can be easily sliced to put on a cracker or a sandwich, grated into your favorite recipe or eaten alongside an apple or pear for a fresh, quick snack.
Finally, green tea contains hundreds of powerful antioxidant chemicals called polyphenols. These chemicals have been cited for helping prevent serious health ailments. But studies also suggest green tea may help prevent or ease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. So the next time you are preparing your daily meal schedule consider adding these arthritis fighting foods.
Mr. LaPointe is Director of Health and Fruit Education at Traverse Bay Farms. He is the author of several books including The Superfruit Handbook, Blueberry Health Report and How to Get a More Restful Night's Sleep Naturally. He has been a guest on numerous radio shows across the nation discussing the natural health benefits of superfoods and superfruits. You can contact Mr. LaPointe from www.TraverseBayFarms.com
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