Arthritis causes joint issues like inflammation, swelling, and pain. If left untreated, it can also lower the range of motion of the affected joints. This joint condition can affect the smaller joints like the finger joints or major joints like the knee. Knowing the causes of the condition and nutrition tips for arthritis is crucial for people who are at high risk of developing it, so let’s get started.

Causes

• One of the major causes of osteoarthritis is a joint injury. If a joint undergoes rigorous wear and tear post an injury, it can cause inflammation. The cartilage acts as a protective layer and keeps the joints functioning properly, but when wear and tear lead to cartilage damage, it causes friction when the joints move. In such cases, the condition is called degenerative arthritis.
• Infection can also cause joint damage. Lyme disease, commonly caused by the ticks found on deer, can lead to flu-like symptoms. One of the common complications of this infection is organ damage. When antibiotics are not administered in time, the infection can weaken one’s joints.
• Gout is another form of arthritis caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream. This leads to the unwanted accumulation of crystallized uric acid in the toe joints, and this can also trigger a more severe form of arthritis.

Nutrition tips
It is imperative to know the causes and nutrition tips for arthritis patients to manage the condition effectively. Although arthritis doesn’t have a cure, one can manage the pain and inflammation by following these diet tips:

• Following a Mediterranean diet helps improve and maintain joint health. This diet includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, along with nuts, seeds, and seafood. It can keep a check on blood pressure levels and is also effective in alleviating joint inflammation.
• Plant-based proteins are easier to digest and are beneficial for people with arthritis. These are also the type of proteins that contain lower amounts of saturated fats and can help improve joint health.
• While reducing saturated fats, one should focus equally on increasing the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids like omega-3. These healthy fats are known for their anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe aches and pains.
• Apart from adding these healthy ingredients to the diet, one should reduce or stop the consumption of processed, high-fat, and high-carb foods. Refined foods should also be avoided to improve overall health.

Understanding the causes of arthritis and beneficial nutrition tips is important for patients to live healthy with this joint condition. That said, these dietary tips are not substitutes for medication and should be followed only after consulting a doctor.