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Arthritis

Diet and exercise may help
control this common ailment

By Mike Gullickson

I’d like to talk about triggers for ar- delicious as well. The top three foods most triggering foods to see if your symptoms
WKULWLVÁDUHXSV'LG\RXNQRZWKDW OLNHO\WRFDXVHLQÁDPPDWLRQDUHWKHIRO- improve. Another option is to try eating
FHUWDLQIRRGVFDQFDXVHLQÁDPPDWLRQ lowing: IRRGVWKDWÀJKWDJDLQVWLQÁDPPDWLRQ
ZLWKLQ\RXUERG\",QÁDPPDWLRQLVWKH Thankfully, these foods are pretty tasty,
body’s response to anything that could 1. Sugar, which is one of my all-time fa- too, which makes it easier to start adding
negatively affect its wellbeing. When your vorite foods, is the worst of the worst. It these recommended items to your diet:
body senses a threat, it releases white not only raises your glucose levels, it can
blood cells to attack that threat. These cause you to pack on the pounds, result- &ROGZDWHUÀVKVXFKDVVDOPRQWXQD
LPPXQHFHOOVXQDEOHWRÀQGDQ\EDFWH- ing in more weight being put on those and sardines.
ULDRUYLUXVWRÀJKWEHJLQWRDWWDFNWKH sore hips and knees. Now every time my
cartilage in the joints. Because these cells ankles buckle I’ll think “Sugar!” 2. Fruits and vegetables, obviously, but
DUHFDUULHGE\ÁXLGMRLQWVDOVRH[SHULHQFH brightly colored produce such as berries
swelling. For a person with arthritis, that 2. Blackened or barbecued foods. Now, if and dark leafy greens are particularly
swelling can trigger a world of pain. you ask me, that’s just not fair. I love ULFKLQLQÁDPPDWLRQUHGXFLQJDQWL-
Fortunately, medical researchers have a good charbroiled burger, but recent oxidants.
LGHQWLÀHGPDQ\RIWKHIRRGVWKDWFDQWULJ- studies have shown a relationship
JHUSDLQIXOLQÁDPPDWLRQ8QIRUWXQDWHO\ between high heat cooking and the 3. Nuts like pistachios, almonds and wal-
the offending foods are usually the most release of chemicals that aggravate nuts are chock full of calcium, vitamin
LQÁDPPDWLRQDQGWKXVDUWKULWLV E and healthy fats, all of which can
Fitness Center suggestions actually reverse the damage caused
for arthritis sufferers 3. Processed and so-called convenience E\LQÁDPPDWLRQ
foods use too many preservatives of
Twinges and Hinges • TD questionable integrity. These chemicals Finally, though many people worry that
Tuesday, Thursday 10:30 a.m. aren’t recognized by our bodies and exercise might make their joint pain
WKXVFDXVHLQÁDPPDWLRQ3URFHVVHG worse, research has shown exercise to be
Sit-n-Fit • TD foods also contain large amounts of one of the best ways to reduce pain and
Monday, Wednesday, Friday saturated fats that can cause your adi- improve range of movement in people with
10:30 a.m. SRVHWLVVXHWKDWLV\RXUIDWWRVZHOO arthritis. Refer to the sidebar for some
putting more pressure on your already arthritis-friendly workouts available at
Short Ride • CC aching joints. WKH6XQ&LW\ÀWQHVVFHQWHUV
Tuesday, Thursday 1:30 p.m.
The good news is that there are things you Some common sense here, of course, is to
FDQGRWRÀJKWEDFNDJDLQVW\RXUDUWKULWLV ÀQGRXWZKDW\RXUGRFWRUWKLQNVLV best for
pain. One suggestion is to try an elimi- you. You can also go to the website www.
nation diet for one week, cutting out the arthritis.org for more detailed informa-
tion on diets and supplementsJ

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