Decreasing Joint Inflammation with Food
Joint swelling in the feet and ankles caused by medical conditions such as arthritis or an injury are common, but an often overlooked contributor to joint pain and inflammation is from a poor diet. Eating a lot of highly processed foods and excessive alcohol consumption are two major causes of inflammation in the modern age. But the fact of the matter is that we also have many natural foods that are readily available and are proven to decrease inflammation and improve the condition of your joints if you are just willing to cut out most of the bad foods.
Some of the best additions to your diet for decreasing inflammation and avoiding joint and other damage to your body include the following:
● Green tea—The polyphenols contained in green tea and other healthy beverages are rich in antioxidants which help reduce inflammation and decrease damage to your cells.
● Citrus fruits—Vitamin C from fruits such as oranges and grapefruits have been shown to decrease the symptoms of inflammatory joint conditions.
● Red and black berries—Blueberries, cherries, raspberries and strawberries, which contain an abundance of anthocyanins, have been proven to reduce the occurrence of gout attacks by decreasing uric acid concentrations and reducing inflammation. These foods you should eat often.
● Leeks, onions, and garlic—are vegetables that have high concentrations of a compound called diallyl disulfide which blocks the action of cartilage damaging enzymes.
● Fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids—Salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring are all very high in omega 3 fatty acids but If fish isn’t your thing, soybeans and lentils are also very high in omega 3s.
● Coconut and olive oils—These are amazing oils that contain enzymes essential for combating cellular inflammation.
Many systemic problems can first show up with symptoms in your feet so staying proactive in maintaining your overall health through proper diet is an excellent way to avoid future foot and ankle problems. If you are experiencing painful joints in your feet or ankles, contact your podiatrist today. At Fit Feet for Life, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies and years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including heel pain, sports injuries, toe deformities, nail fungus, and plantar warts. Bonnie Sanchez, DPM, and Gregory Cook, DPM, provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area at our five offices conveniently located in Sun City Center, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and our two Tampa locations. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.