Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes pain and stiffness in joints. As it is an autoimmune disease, treatments can’t cure it completely. However, the treatments can reduce the severity and the pain swelling. The condition can worsen with age. Several factors, such as weight gain, overexertion, stress, infection, and cold weather are also likely to trigger arthritis.
Among all these factors, losing weight can help slow the arthritis severity for years to avoid chronic pain in your hands and knees.
Losing weight benefits
Maintaining a healthy weight matters the most for leading a happy life. Weight loss for adults with arthritis can reduce the potential risks of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Losing weight benefits are numerous, but ensure you are not starving to make it happen. Instead, reduce weight using a healthy diet plan or food chart.
Weight loss benefits for arthritis
Arthritis treatments do not cure the disease permanently. But one can live happily without the interruption of its impacts with the following steps implemented:
Reduce pressure on the knee and other joints
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) research, having a moderate weight can limit the progression of arthritis. For each pound lost, there is a 4-pound reduction in the load exerted on the knee. This indicates that a modest weight loss (5% or 12 pounds for a 250-pound person) can help reduce pain and disability.
Ease pain
Losing weight help reducing the pain and swelling effects. Studies show that obese individuals with knee osteoarthritis found better results after reducing a large amount of body weight than individuals who lost fewer pounds. Losing 10-20 pounds from your overall weight can improve your quality of life by reducing pain and improving joint mobility.
Curb inflammation
Reducing the fat deposits present in arthritis patients helps curb inflammation. As obesity can aggravate low-grade inflammation, even people who don’t have arthritis have the possibility of getting the condition if they are overweight. Inflammation may intensify autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and heart disease.
Reduce overall severity
Losing weight benefits include a reduction in the overall severity of the disease. Records found that overweight or obese people who lost at least 10 pounds will experience lesser disease activities than those who don’t lose weight.
Other tips to cope with arthritis
Make it a daily routine to do low-impact physical activities such as walking, biking, and swimming. These will help reduce the risk of immobility of organs and improve joint function. Here are some tips to help you shed some pounds and curb joint inflammation.
- Consuming foods from plant sources such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds, and whole grains helps fight inflammation.
- Instead of sitting in a particular place for hours, go on a walk for a few minutes in between.
- Add fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines to your diet.
- Avoid potato chips containing unhealthy saturated and trans fats that may promote inflammation.
Hoping this blog is helpful for arthritis patients and for people who have arthritis symptoms.
