If you sit or stand for long hours, you are more at risk than you might realize. Apart from the restricted circulation, which means that fluids tend to accumulate around your ankles; you risk putting on more weight than your knees and hips can take comfortably. Obesity has been known to aggravate arthritis, which is basically an inflammation of the bigger joints of your body. Just keep in mind that gout affects the smaller joints, but is harmfully impacted by overweight.
Every kilo you are overweight exerts four kilos extra pressure on your knees; i.e. four times as much pressure is exerted on your knees causing inflammation on the one hand, and wearing away of the lubricating fluid in the kneecap, on the other. If you gain weight after arthritis has been diagnosed, it aggravates the inflammation.
Watching what you eat and drink is vital to prevent, or combat arthritis. After all, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease for which there is no known cure yet. You can only hope to manage the pain, and try to stay ambulatory for as long as possible. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which has an increased risk from the leptin levels found in very fat people.
Fat is an essential nutrient which our bodies require. Clinically, fat is adipose tissue, while fat cells are known as adipocytes. While the storage of excess fats can cause unsightly bulges; people, who need to work very hard physically, benefit singularly from the consumption of fats in moderation. Your body stores excess proteins and carbohydrates as fat in your body. However, since fat is chemically active, it keeps releasing chemicals liketumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1), and proteins — inflammatory cytokines — into the bloodstream whenever it receives certain signals from the brain. It is these proteins which can aggravate the inflammation which signaled rheumatoid arthritis in the first place.
Saturated fats, found in red meats, butter, and most processed cheese, can be more hazardous for you than you might have realized. Most people know that saturated fats are lethal for those with cardiac ailments. Their toxic impact on rheumatoid arthritis is only being understood gradually. Foods cooked in dense Vanaspati oils (hydrogenated oils), and any other oil which coagulates at room temperature (except summer temperatures of 420and above) are dangerous for your health, and that of your loved ones. Monitor your cholesterol levels zealously to prevent aggravating arthritic pains.
Go easy on oils which have too much Omega-6 as excess consumption of Omega-6 oils can trigger the body to produce pro-inflammatory chemicals. Oils which contain Omega-6 and Omega-3 should be taken balanced with each other. Put simply, go easy on the mayonnaise, peanuts and groundnut oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil, and corn. You don’t need to eliminate any of them from your daily diet, just take in measured quantities. No lathering your burger or sandwich with mayonnaise on one side, and cheese or butter spread on the other.
Trans fats are found in all oils which have hydrogen introduced during the manufacturing process of various vegetable oils. While it extends the shelf life of the product; it diminishes your body’s ability to combat arthritis. They elevate LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, while lowering HDL (good cholesterol) levels making it easier for you to gain weight, and more difficult to fight arthritis. They are found in fast foods like pizzas and burgers; French fries, chips, samosas, cutlets, and other fried products; processed snack foods like chips, sausage rolls, pastries, and pies; frozen breakfast products like pancake batter,frozen frittatas, frozen burritos, and hash browns; cookies, donuts, crackers, and patties. Avoid such fats like poison are they are known to trigger systemic inflammations.
There are many kinds of fats; some of which are necessary for our daily regimen. Fresh butter and cream are good sources of Vitamin A, so necessary for good eyesight. In fact, Vitamin A is only fat soluble. Too much of ghee (clarified butter) is harmful; but small amounts are necessary for your daily menu, especially in your daal to help break down of the proteins in them for better assimilation in the system. Walnuts are a great source of friendly Omega-3 fatty acids, as are many kinds of fish likesalmon, tuna, anchovies, trout, sardines, and mackerel which aid combating arthritic pain.
Mustard oil, which has a perfect blend of natural antioxidants and essential fatty acids, is one fat which is good for your health in many ways. This combination reduces blood fat levels. Though you wouldn’t have normally thought so, coconut oil is actually beneficial in small quantities as it is made mostly of medium-chain fatty acids, which your body processes differently. Extra virgin olive oil contains monosaturated fats and polyphenols which act as antioxidants, making it one of the healthiest forms of fat to add to your daily menu.