Feeling Achy When You Wake Up? 3 Foods May Help

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If your mornings begin with stiffness, pain and swollen joints, you may be experiencing symptoms of osteoarthritis. In addition to getting regular exercise (low impact, like yoga, swimming or walking is the best) and maintaining a healthy weight, consider the following nutritional strategies to help prevent or lessen symptoms.

1. Eat foods rich in antioxidants. A variety of colors of fresh organic fruits and vegetables are good sources and may help reduce tissue damage from inflammation in addition to filling you with high quality calories.
2. Get enough omega-3s. The omega-3 fatty acids provided in oily fish (such as wild Alaskan salmon), walnuts and freshly ground flaxseed might help reduce the inflammation and pain of arthritis. If you decide to supplement omega-3 fats as well, find products with the highest amount of EPA, the more anti-inflammatory fatty acid.
3. Regularly use ginger and turmeric in cooking, teas and/or supplements for their natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Also realize that filling up on processed, sweetened and packaged foods promotes inflammation and stiffness. Switch out your pantry’s food-like products for a fridge full of whole-food freshness.

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