Foods That Fight Osteoarthritis

Unlike other forms of forms of arthritis, your risk of developing osteoarthritis is largely related to lifestyle factors like diet, weight, exercise, and previous injury. In fact, dietary and lifestyle changes can have a huge affect on the prevention and management of osteoarthritis. But where do you begin? There exists only preliminary research on the effects of nutrition on osteoarthritis, but these results are promising. At the same time, there are many claims about dietary supplements, foods, and other substances that have no research to back them up. This article will help you separate the facts from the fiction when it comes to fighting osteoarthritis with dietary changes. Keep in mind that nutrition is just one of the many factors affecting osteoarthritis, and you should always create a prevention or treatment plan along with your doctor's recommendations.

Fighting Osteoarthritis with the Right Food Choices
According to preliminary nutrition research, the following nutrients and substances in foods may benefit osteoarthritis.

Vitamin C may help reduce the progression of osteoarthritis. Vitamin C is involved in the formation of both collagen and proteoglycans (two major components of cartilage, which cushions the joints). Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that helps to counteract the effects of free radicals in the body, which can damage cartilage.

Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, strawberries, peppers, kiwi, cantaloupe, green-leafy vegetables, cauliflower, tomatoes, potatoes, and pineapple.
While most adults need between 75 mg (women) and 90 mg (men) of vitamin C each day, osteoarthritis experts suggest consuming 200 milligrams of vitamin C daily. Use the following chart as a reference guide to meet your needs.

Vitamin C Sources	mg
Acerola cherries, 1 cup	820
Red bell pepper, 1 cup	280
Guava, 1 medium	165
Broccoli, 1 cup	120
Orange, 1 medium	120
Green bell pepper, 1 cup	120
Cauliflower (cooked), 1 cup	100
Papaya, 1 medium	95
Strawberries, 1 cup	90
Kale (cooked), 1 cup	85
Cabbage greens (boiled), 1 cup	80
Orange juice, 3/4 cup	75
Cantaloupe, 1 cup	70
Kiwi, 1 medium	60
Grapefruit juice, 3/4 cup	60

Beta-carotene is another antioxidant that also seems to help reduce the risk of osteoarthritis progression.

Beta-carotene is found in red, yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables (pumpkin, cantaloupe, peppers, carrots) and many dark-green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, Romaine lettuce).
While most adults need about 2,330 International Units (IU) of beta-carotene each day, osteoarthritis experts recommend 9,000 IU of beta-carotene daily. Use the following chart as a reference guide to meet your needs. (Please note that while some foods have high levels of beta-carotene, it is non-toxic. Your body will only utilize what it needs.)

Beta Carotene Sources	IU
Sweet potato (baked), 1 medium	28,058
Carrots (cooked), 1 cup	26,835
Spinach (boiled), 1 cup	22,916
Kale (boiled), 1 cup	19,116
Pumpkin pie, 1 slice	12,431
Carrot (raw), 1 medium	8,666
Butternut Squash (boiled), 1 cup	8,014
Spinach (raw), 1 cup	2,813
Mango, 1 cup sliced	1,262
Oatmeal, 1 pack instant	947
Tomato juice, 6 oz	819
Peach, 1 medium	319
Red pepper, 3" ring	313

Vitamin D is necessary for proper calcium absorption and bone structure, which are crucial in proper joint functioning. A low intake of vitamin D appears to increase cartilage loss.

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because your body can make it when your skin is exposed to ultraviolet sunlight—all you need is 15 minutes of exposure (face, arms and legs), without wearing SPF (it blocks your ability to make this conversion), three to four times a week. However, it may be difficult for some to meet the suggested daily exposure, including people who do not get outdoors much, people who are bundled up during the winter months with little sun exposure, and for older people whose skin is less efficient at this conversion.
Fortified milk and cereals, eggs, tuna, and fish-liver oils all help the body obtain vitamin D. Supplements are another option, but always discuss that with your health care provider first.
Recommended vitamin D intake ranges from 600 IU (for adults up to age 70) to 800 IU (for adults over age 70), but osteoarthritis experts suggest at least 600 International Units (IU) daily. Use the following chart as a reference guide to meet your needs.

Vitamin D Sources	IU
Cod liver oil, 1 Tbsp	1,360
Salmon, 3.5 oz	360
Mackerel, 3.5 oz	345
Tuna (canned), 3 oz	200
Sardines (canned), 1.75 oz	250
Milk, D-fortified, 1 cup	100
Egg (or egg yolk), 1 medium	41
Cereals, D-fortified, 1 cup	40
Vitamin D supplement	200-400

Omega-3 fatty acids suppress inflammation and are used to form the outer membranes of joint cells. Omega-6 fatty acids, on the other hand, promote inflammation which can contribute to the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis. Most people consume approximately 10 times more of the inflammation-promoting omega-6's than they do the anti-inflammatory omega-3's.

Decrease your intake of omega-6 fatty acids by cutting back on corn, safflower and cottonseed oil. Limit your intake, as much as possible, of saturated fats and trans-fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fish (such as salmon, halibut, tuna and sardines), pecans, walnuts, soy foods (tofu, soybean oil), olive and canola oils, flaxseeds, and flaxseed oil.
Nutrition and health experts recognize that omega-3's are healthy and should be a part of your diet, but have not yet established a recommended daily intake. Osteoarthritis experts suggest three grams of omega-3 fatty acids daily (with 0.7 grams coming from fish sources). Use the following chart as a reference guide to meet your needs.

Omega-3 Sources	Grams
Flaxseeds (ground), 2 Tbsp	3.5
Walnuts, 1/4 cup	2.3
Atlantic salmon, 3.5 oz	2.0
Albacore tuna, 3.5 oz	1.5
Soybeans (cooked), 1 cup	1.0
Halibut, 3.5 oz	0.5
Tofu (raw), 4 oz	0.4
Olive oil (uncooked), 2 Tbsp	0.2

Diet Claims That Don’t Help Osteoarthritis
There are many food and nutrition recommendations for arthritis that have no scientific proof that they actually work. Be sure to steer clear of these common claims.

The Nightshades Diet. One of the most common claims is that avoiding "nightshade" vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and most peppers, will relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Although there is probably nothing harmful about following this advice, there are no studies to support its effectiveness.

The Alkaline Diet. The alkaline diet presumes that high levels of acid in your system bring on osteoarthritis symptoms. Proponents of this claim suggest eliminating sugar, coffee, red meat, most grains, nuts, citrus fruits and citrus foods from your diet for an entire month. Because followers of this diet are limited to such restrictive food guidelines, many people do lose weight and report feeling better (as a result of that weight loss). However, there are no studies to prove that this diet is effective.

The Dong Diet. This very restrictive diet relies heavily on the consumption of all vegetables except tomatoes, and eliminates many of the same foods as the alkaline diet (see above). No research or evidence exists to prove that this diet is effective in managing osteoarthritis.

Gin-Soaked Raisin Diet. Although grapes and raisins do contain some anti-inflammatory compounds, the actual amount is minimal. The gin that is used may help dull pain, but that is not a permanent fix. There is no research to support this diet claim.

Member Comments

KHALIA2

I don't have arthritis but my husband does. I wanted to see how I could help him. He drinks a lot of milk and eats a lot of salmon. I guess he is on the right track. Report

HEALIN1

Lots of info, will try to incorporate more of these foods into my diet Report

BLESSEDBEING

Much better than another article re best foods for joint health--that gave few examples. Listing the suggested amounts and the amount contained in specific foods here is EXCELLENT! Thank you! Report

HARRIETT14

I had no idea that all of these foods would be helpful. While I do eat most of them, but not all the time, I will certainly include them in my regime. Thank you so very much. Report

GINA180847

I think a lot of the things you suggest are very true. Since I became ill, not anything arthritic, I became more aware of what nutrition supports better health and it really has made a difference and here I am without any arthritis symptoms. Lots of other nonsense but no bone aggravation.. Report

_CYNDY55_

Thanks! Report

ELRIDDICK

Thanks for sharing Report

KRISKECK

Becky, it would be great if you could link to studies that support your assertions. Whenever I see works like "may help" or "seem to" reduce symptoms, I wonder about the source. Thanks so much. Report

TOMATOCAFEGAL

GOOD article. Report

DIROB57

I am new to having an arthritis diagnosis...tryin
g to learn all I can. Thanks for the information! Report

SO much conflict. Report

AEHEGE

There are many articles these days on the Alkaline Diet and Osteoporosis. My information on certain foods is different from yours. People seem to disagree on which foods are alkaline and which are acidifying. They do, though, recommend a 60% alkaline and 40% acidic diet plan, and this sounds reasonable to me. That would include nine+ servings of fruits and vegetables, which many nutritionists are recommending now. Report

Foods That Fight Osteoarthritis

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