Osteoarthritis - Improve Your Joint Health with Nutrition

There is a definite connection between the food that you eat and your health.  Just as a strict diet can lower your cholesterol, a specific nutritional diet can ease symptoms of Osteoarthritis.  Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness.  Certain foods can help to manage your arthritis, and allow you better control over your health.  Instead of focusing your efforts on calories, grams of fat, and carbohydrates, you should concentrate on nourishing your body with food. The combination of feeding your body the right foods, and making healthy lifestyle choices, can assist you in improved joint function and relief.  Follow these tips, and you are on your way to a healthier you:

1. Include Healthy Fats.  Omega fatty acids enable your body to fight off inflammation, reduce swelling, and ease joint discomfort.  Foods high in Omega fatty acids include cold water fish such as salmon, sardines, and herring.  As well as certain nuts like walnuts; seeds such as flax seed; green vegetables and whole grains.
2. Fiber helps your body to control blood glucose and control inflammation.  Foods high in fiber include fruits such as raspberries, figs, and bananas; Grains, cereals, and pasta such as whole wheat spaghetti, barley, oatmeal, and brown rice; Nuts, seeds, and legumes such as lima beans, split peas, and lentils;  Vegetables such as turnip greens, brussel sprouts, and broccoli. Women should try to consume around 21-25 grams of fiber each day, whereas men should aim for 30-38 grams a day.
3. Drink Plenty of Water.  Water helps to lubricate the joints.  You may want to aim to drink 20-ounces of water with each meal. 
4. Add specific spices to your meal that are known to have arthritis fighting capabilities, like cinnamon, curry, and ginger. 
5. Cut down on red meat.  Try to add more lean meat such as chicken and fish.
6. Add antioxidants to your diet.  Antioxidants fight free radicals which contribute to various health issues.  Antioxidant rich foods include cherries, pomegranates, and raspberries.  Acai berries contain the highest known amounts of antioxidants.
7. Bromelain. The enzyme is an anti-inflammatory and restores proper fluid balance in the joints. Pineapple is high in bromelain. 
8. Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables that will include the needed vitamins, such as Vitamin A, C, and E.

To read the ingredients in Synflex, which contains a majority of these suggested properties, please go to http://www.activexamerica.com/syn-flex/ingredients.php.