Posted: 12:24pm Fri 19 Jul, 2013

Can your diet affect your joints?

John Arts
Abundant Living
www.johnarts.co.nz

As a nutritional medicine practitioner I regularly give advice to people with osteoarthritis on the diet, lifestyle and supplements to help improve
mobility and reduce pain.
It may surprise you that there are many foods in our typical diets that worsen osteoarthritis (OA). Likewise there are many foods and supplements that really help.
The key is to implement as many of these as possible to get the best results.
We start by removing foods that can cause inflammation of the joint, especially saturated fats and vegetable oils high in omega 6. Some foods cause irritation to joints, including acidic fruits and vegetables such as citrus and tomatoes.
I would start with a one month citrus elimination, including all citrus based juices.
If this does not help I would then try an elimination of the nightshade group including tomatoes, peppers and potatoes. These foods contain alkaloids that can interfere with cartilage formation and repair.
The best diet for OA is lots of vegetables, some low acid fruit, moderate wholegrain carbohydrates, good fats and lots of fish.
For example, use wholegrain oats for porridge and limit fruit to 1 or 2 pieces daily.
Pears, apples, stone fruit, berries and kiwifruit are generally tolerated.
Supplements are very important to help optimise joint repair and function and to lower inflammation. The list I use is extensive but will always include the antioxidant minerals selenium, zinc, copper and manganese as part of a multi- formula.
The OPCs and turmeric extracts can really help to protect joints and they are very anti-inflammatory.
I add glucosamine and chondroitin with at least 750mg of chondroitin with 95% turmeric extract and high grade fish oil usually 4000-8000mg.
Do not be fooled by the slick marketing of Krill oil which has no more omega 3 than fish oil.
Give me a call for personalised advice. To join my weekly newsletter go to www.johnarts.co.nz and visit www.abundant.co.nz. John Arts is a Nutritional Therapist and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more go to www.sunlive.co.nz

As a nutritional medicine practitioner I regularly give advice to people with osteoarthritis on the diet, lifestyle and supplements to help improve mobility and reduce pain.

It may surprise you that there are many foods in our typical diets that worsen osteoarthritis (OA). Likewise there are many foods and supplements that really help.

The key is to implement as many of these as possible to get the best results.

We start by removing foods that can cause inflammation of the joint, especially saturated fats and vegetable oils high in omega 6. Some foods cause irritation to joints, including acidic fruits and vegetables such as citrus and tomatoes.

I would start with a one month citrus elimination, including all citrus based juices.

If this does not help I would then try an elimination of the nightshade group including tomatoes, peppers and potatoes. These foods contain alkaloids that can interfere with cartilage formation and repair.

The best diet for OA is lots of vegetables, some low acid fruit, moderate wholegrain carbohydrates, good fats and lots of fish.

For example, use wholegrain oats for porridge and limit fruit to 1 or 2 pieces daily.

Pears, apples, stone fruit, berries and kiwifruit are generally tolerated.

Supplements are very important to help optimise joint repair and function and to lower inflammation. The list I use is extensive but will always include the antioxidant minerals selenium, zinc, copper and manganese as part of a multi- formula.

The OPCs and turmeric extracts can really help to protect joints and they are very anti-inflammatory.

I add glucosamine and chondroitin with at least 750mg of chondroitin with 95% turmeric extract and high grade fish oil usually 4000-8000mg.

Do not be fooled by the slick marketing of Krill oil which has no more omega 3 than fish oil.

Give me a call for personalised advice. To join my weekly newsletter go to www.johnarts.co.nz and visit www.abundant.co.nz. John Arts is a Nutritional Therapist and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more go to www.sunlive.co.nz

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