| About one in seven North Americans suffers from | | | | smaller joints first, and women are affected more |
| some type of arthritis, any of more than 100 | | | | commonly by rheumatoid arthritis as compared to |
| disorders characterized by joint inflammation, | | | | men. |
| stiffness, swelling, and pain. The most common types | | | | A relationship between certain types of foods and |
| are osteoarthritis, a painful condition in which joint | | | | arthritis has been shown to exist by various |
| cartilage gradually breaks down, and rheumatoid | | | | researchers. Certain foods have been shown to |
| arthritis, a systemic disease that can cause severe | | | | prove beneficial in fighting these two diseases. Below |
| pain and crippling. | | | | is some arthritis fighting foods, and dietary |
| Doctors do not understand why some individuals | | | | modifications that can help to decrease the progress |
| develop arthritis and others do not, but a combination | | | | as well as outcome of these diseases. |
| of factors plays a role. | | | | Eat plenty of: |
| People with osteoarthritis may have inherently | | | | 1. Salmon, sardines, and other fatty fish to counter |
| defective cartilage that makes it vulnerable to normal | | | | inflammation. |
| wear and tear. In other words, osteoarthritis is a | | | | 2. High-fiber, low-calorie foods help to help control |
| condition involving degeneration of joints, and not any | | | | weight, and thus reduce the trauma on |
| inflammatory condition as it name suggests. It usually | | | | weight-bearing joints. |
| affects joints that inconstant use. | | | | Avoid: |
| On the other hand, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) | | | | Any foods that provoke symptoms should be |
| develops when an overactive immune system | | | | avoided at all costs. You can identify these when you |
| attacks connective tissue in the joints and other | | | | experience aggravated symptoms after eating some |
| organs, causing inflammation and pain. People | | | | particular food. |
| suffering from rheumatoid arthritis usually get it in the | | | | |