About one in seven North Americans suffers from some type of arthritis, any of more than 100 disorders characterized by joint inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and pain. The most common types are osteoarthritis, a painful condition in which joint cartilage gradually breaks down, and rheumatoid arthritis, a systemic disease that can cause severe pain and crippling.



Doctors do not understand why some individuals develop arthritis and others do not, but a combination of factors plays a role.

Eat cold water fish such as non-farm raised salmon, cod, herring, sardines and trout at least twice per week. Other foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, flax seeds and supplements that contain omega-3. Talk to your doctor before taking supplements containing omega-3 if you are taking medication that thins the blood.

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Many of them contain antioxidants, which fight inflammation. Pineapples, blueberries and cherries are great sources of anti-inflammatory antioxidants.

Green tea - It contains hundreds of powerful antioxidant chemicals called polyphenols and may help prevent or ease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. It has also been cited for helping prevent problems ranging from cancer to heart disease.

It is perhaps a rich source of potassium, but has also good sources of arthritis-fighting vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin C.

Sea food likes shrimps and cod liver oil contain the hard to get vitamin D. In fact, sea food contains more vitamin D than a cup of milk. Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin B12, which keep you in good health and improve the health of your bones.

Try weight lifting - Making exercise a regular part of your routine may bring you tons of benefits. Performing moderate exercises such as weight lifting and aerobics can help ease mild to moderate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. In this case, weight lifting is an ideal exercise since it improves your flexibility, strength and balance thereby allowing you an increased capability in handling the symptoms of the disease.

Little planning goes a long way when it comes to your intake of food and controlling arthritis. Don't make the common mistake which people make, they stick to good food for a week or so and then revert back to old ways, the trick is to be always conscious of what you put into your system.

Bananas - This fruit is the most effective energy booster out there and happens to be one of the richest sources of potassium. The best part about it is you don't need to do any preparation, just peel it and you're ready to go. Vitamin B6 and folate, specific nutrients known for fighting arthritis are present in just the right quantity in a banana. Also, you get double benefits out of a banana, due to the fiber content in it you get the full feeling much faster compared to the other foods, which helps in weight loss as well. Wouldn't it make complete sense to have a banana if it can give you full relief from joint pain?