Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis, referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis, and the most common form of cartilage wearing away in the joints. This the cartilage which provides the smooth gliding operation in the connections.
Once it begins to deteriorate, there’s joint swelling, inflammation, and possible deformity. The most common symptom being that the pain is the greatest during forward motion movement, while it lessens significantly during resting. Osteoarthritis is a condition which affects more women than men.
The exact cause of osteoarthritis are various. For instance, the wear and tear doesn’t only take place in just one joint such as the knee or one side of the body, but can affect every joint in the body simultaneously.
There are suggestions that osteoarthritis is the result of cartilage which has stopped functioning at its optimum level. It’s known that the construction of cartilage is a continuous process, where it’s constantly breaking down and then rebuilding again.
The Causes Of Osteoarthritis
One theory is that the rebuilding process becomes unbalanced, which results in the impairment to manifest. There are also other reasons and causes of osteoarthritis which includes:
• A previous sports related or joint accident injury
• It can be genetically inherited, as it appears to run in families
• Repeated bleeding into the joint, such as hemophilia
• Repeated diseases such as gout
• Rheumatoid Arthritis leading to chronic inflammation of the joints
• Metabolic disorders such as hemochromatosis resulting in higher levels of iron deposited into the joints
• Joint infection which results in cartilage deterioration
Foods For Developing Stronger Bones
What maintaining stronger bones does is makes one less susceptible, this especially when growing older. The elderly are especially vulnerable to fractures as a result of osteoporosis.
As an alternate to doctor prescribed medication, most are now recommending a variety of natural and wholesome foods which can contribute to building and maintaining stronger healthier bones.
Especially These Vegetables
The vegetables that’s recommended are the dark green leafy variety, preferably in their natural form, this since they’re excellent sources of vitamins and minerals for building strong bone structure.
They also supply the much needed calcium, while containing doses of potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, and iron, all nutrients which are known to promote stronger bone health and teeth.
So load your meals up on servings such as Brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens, bok-choy, mustard greens, and watercress.
Although spinach along with Swiss chards also contains abundance of calcium and other vital minerals, they also contain oxalates, which may potentially halt the proper absorption of calcium in certain cases.
Foods Rich In Protein
What you need is more than having rock hard solid bones to deter the onset of osteoarthritis, as the bones being flexible is also necessary to keep any related injury at bay.
This the reason why consuming protein rich foods becomes necessary when keeping the skeletal structure in peak condition.
The best natural sources of high quality protein includes chicken or turkey breast, lean cuts of beef or pork, fresh fish, natural cheese, tofu, eggs, soymilk, unpasteurized milk, beans, nuts, and seeds.
Soup Stock From Bones
The healthiest of stews, soups, and sauces all use animal bones as a stock base. This the needed foundation for building and maintaining stronger bones, as what they contain are valuable strength building minerals.
The critical nutrients leak out from the bones while they’re being simmered in water for long periods of time. Once vegetables are added to the mix, the ones which contain the valuable nutrients, the strengthening benefits when it comes to stronger bones multiplies.
Consuming Complex Carbohydrates
For the maintenance of building stronger bones to offset osteoarthritis, it also becomes important to consume sufficient amounts of complex carbohydrates into your diet.
This becomes important since what complex carbs does, is ensures that the body doesn’t use the protein that’s already in the body as an energy source.
If there are adequate amounts of these carbs, the protein can then be utilized for their intended purpose, which is muscle building and making the bones stronger.
It’s also recommended that you focus on the most healthiest sources of complex carbs, such as wild or brown rice, steel rolled oats, quinoa, cornmeal, buckwheat, amaranth, and select items which are derived from whole grain flour.
What these items also contains is magnesium, which is a mineral that’s needed for the proper absorption of calcium.
Foods Which Are Rich In Trace Minerals
What’s also found important is having the exact trace mineral balance in the body, which is vital for the construction and the stabilization of stronger healthier bones.
It’s found that there’s no point loading your body with foods which are rich with calcium, if your body happens to be lacking in the other minerals, this for maximum effect.
Excellent sources of foods which contain trace minerals are most fresh fruits and vegetables, along with seaweed, seeds, and nuts.
Eating Bones For Stronger Bones
You become what you eat. Some of the best sources when it comes to calcium are animal parts where there’s plenty of it stored, which are in the bones.
The best source it’s found is consuming as many edible bones as possible, such as chicken leg quarters, whole fish, duck wings, and others. Use a blender to puree these bones, and then add them to your soups and stews.
Eating More Healthy Fats
The “good” fats are essential for stronger bone health as well. The most valuable are fish oils which contain EPA and DHA, and should be included in your diet on a daily basis.
Excellent sources of oily fish which contain Omega-3 includes herring, halibut, sardines, mackerel, salmon, trout, and tuna.