What’s the Ideal Diet for Older Adults with Arthritis?

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There’s no single "miracle" diet specifically for arthritis. That being said, the Arthritis Foundation recommends the Mediterranean diet, since it includes an assortment of foods that can be beneficial for older adults with arthritis. Below, you'll find a rundown of what's included in this diet along with some additional suggestions for things to include in a senior loved one's diet if he or she is living with arthritis. Fatty Fish Whether pan-seared or roasted, included in a soup or stew, or served as part of a tasty sandwich, fatty fish can be a welcome addition to the diet of an older adult with arthritis. Salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, and other fatty fish have well-documented anti-inflammatory properties that could help seniors manage arthritis pain. Fatty fish are also a good source of vitamin D, which is important because studies suggest seniors with arthritis have lower levels of this bone-beneficial nutrient. A home caregiver can help your loved one prepare meals and perform other daily tasks that are challenging because of arthritis pain and stiffness. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable senior care. Families trust Align Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age. Nuts & Seeds Multiple studies, including one published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, have highlighted the known anti-inflammatory properties of nuts and seeds. Walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, and almonds are the nuts that tend to be loaded with most of the nutrients that can be good for those with arthritis. With seeds, chia and flax seeds are the proven inflammation fighters. Fruits & Veggies Many fruits and vegetables contain cell-protecting antioxidants that can be beneficial for tissues likely to be affected by the inflammation that's characteristic of arthritis. Cherries, blueberries, and other red and purple fruits have pigments called anthocyanins with known anti-inflammatory benefits. Other fruits and veggies that are ideal for older adults with arthritis include: • Spinach, kale, and broccoli • Cabbage and lettuce • Oranges, grapefruits, and limes • Sweet potatoes, carrots, red peppers, tomatoes, squash, and other veggies from the nightshade family If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Align Home Care, a leading provider of elderly home care. Kennebunk Align Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. Whole Grains Brown rice, whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, quinoa, and other whole grains have an abundance of filling and healthy fiber, which can help seniors with arthritis stay within a healthy weight range. This is beneficial because excess weight places more stress on joints already affected by arthritis. Some studies show fiber-rich whole grains may also reduce levels of an inflammation marker known as CRP. Beans Full of fiber and phytonutrients, beans lower inflammation-causing chemicals, markers, and compounds found in blood. The Journal of Food Composition and Analysis took a closer look at nearly a dozen common bean varieties and found an abundance of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes red kidney beans and pinto beans are also high in cell-protecting antioxidants. Anti-Inflammatory Spices Many of the spices used in everyday cooking and baking have known anti-inflammatory benefits that can be good for seniors with arthritis. For instance, garlic has anti-inflammatory compounds that could reduce the production of certain chemicals associated with inflammation. It may also play a role in preventing cartilage damage. Additional spices that can be good for seniors with arthritis include turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, ginger, and cumin. Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Kennebunk seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Align Home Care. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call [hca_phone] today.

There’s no single “miracle” diet specifically for arthritis. That being said, the Arthritis Foundation recommends the Mediterranean diet, since it includes an assortment of foods that can be beneficial for older adults with arthritis. Below, you’ll find a rundown of what’s included in this diet along with some additional suggestions for things to include in a senior loved one’s diet if he or she is living with arthritis.

Fatty Fish

Whether pan-seared or roasted, included in a soup or stew, or served as part of a tasty sandwich, fatty fish can be a welcome addition to the diet of an older adult with arthritis. Salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, and other fatty fish have well-documented anti-inflammatory properties that could help seniors manage arthritis pain. Fatty fish are also a good source of vitamin D, which is important because studies suggest seniors with arthritis have lower levels of this bone-beneficial nutrient.

A home caregiver can help your loved one prepare meals and perform other daily tasks that are challenging because of arthritis pain and stiffness. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable senior care. Families trust Align Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.

Nuts & Seeds

Multiple studies, including one published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, have highlighted the known anti-inflammatory properties of nuts and seeds. Walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, and almonds are the nuts that tend to be loaded with most of the nutrients that can be good for those with arthritis. With seeds, chia and flax seeds are the proven inflammation fighters.

Fruits & Veggies

Many fruits and vegetables contain cell-protecting antioxidants that can be beneficial for tissues likely to be affected by the inflammation that’s characteristic of arthritis. Cherries, blueberries, and other red and purple fruits have pigments called anthocyanins with known anti-inflammatory benefits. Other fruits and veggies that are ideal for older adults with arthritis include:

  • Spinach, kale, and broccoli
  • Cabbage and lettuce
  • Oranges, grapefruits, and limes
  • Sweet potatoes, carrots, red peppers, tomatoes, squash, and other veggies from the nightshade family

If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Align Home Care, a leading provider of elderly home care. Kennebunk Align Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

Whole Grains

Brown rice, whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, quinoa, and other whole grains have an abundance of filling and healthy fiber, which can help seniors with arthritis stay within a healthy weight range. This is beneficial because excess weight places more stress on joints already affected by arthritis. Some studies show fiber-rich whole grains may also reduce levels of an inflammation marker known as CRP.

Beans

Full of fiber and phytonutrients, beans lower inflammation-causing chemicals, markers, and compounds found in blood. The Journal of Food Composition and Analysis took a closer look at nearly a dozen common bean varieties and found an abundance of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes red kidney beans and pinto beans are also high in cell-protecting antioxidants.

Anti-Inflammatory Spices

Many of the spices used in everyday cooking and baking have known anti-inflammatory benefits that can be good for seniors with arthritis. For instance, garlic has anti-inflammatory compounds that could reduce the production of certain chemicals associated with inflammation. It may also play a role in preventing cartilage damage. Additional spices that can be good for seniors with arthritis include turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, ginger, and cumin.

Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Kennebunk seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Align Home Care. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call (207) 835-3490 today.

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