The most common type of arthritis worldwide is osteoarthritis with 9.6% of men and 18% of women over 60 years diagnosed with the condition. More accurate numbers are most likely higher than that given that the global problem of osteoarthritis has been under-estimated. It’s predicted that by 2050, 130 million individuals will be suffering from osteoarthritis. There’s currently no effective treatment, with no cure and only painkillers available for treating symptoms.
Researchers have reported that a single gram of fish oil taken on a daily basis can help reduce the pain of osteoarthritis patients.[1] The researchers evaluated the association between diet and effectively managing osteoarthritis. Examining 68 prior studies, they discovered that supplementing with a low-dose of fish oil could lead to pain reduction for osteoarthritis patients as well as help improve cardiovascular health. Fish oil contains essential fatty acids which reduce inflammation in joints and help to relieve pain.
It was also discovered that a decrease in weight for overweight and obese osteoarthritis patients and the introduction of exercise structured to mobility can also help relieve osteoarthritis symptoms. Obesity not only increases strain on joints, but can also result in low-grade inflammation which aggravates the condition even more. A calorie restricted diet, in combination with aerobic, flexibility and strengthening exercises, was revealed to be an effective method for reducing pain in osteoarthritis patients who are overweight. There isn’t any evidence that a calorie restricted diet has any beneficial effects for lean patients with osteoarthritis.
It’s well known that high blood cholesterol is associated with osteoarthritis, and following a healthy lifestyle will also help lower to cholesterol levels. An increase in vitamin K rich foods in such as spinach, parsley and kale was also found to deliver benefits to osteoarthritis patients. Vitamin-K-dependent proteins are found in cartilage and bone, and an inadequate vitamin K intake adversely affects the functioning of the protein, which affects the growth and repair of bone and increases osteoarthritis risk.
Individuals trying to reduce the pain of osteoarthritis should also take into consideration lifestyle. Those individuals affected by osteoarthritis can’t expect major improvements with dietary interventions if they’re overweight and smoke or drink heavily. Evidence indicates that body energy metabolism and inflammatory markers in the liver are negatively affected by heavy drinking and smoking, which could promote inflammation and disease.
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