Diet and Nutrition

Diet and nutrition are an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. While there is no known direct relation between nutrition and an arthritis cure, proper nutrition and diet can lead to better overall health and wellbeing.

Diet and nutrition may have a larger impact on coping with some forms of arthritis than others; for example, losing weight may ease symptoms for someone with osteoarthritis as weight loss decreases the load on weight-bearing joints.

Some medications taken to control arthritis may affect one’s appetite or ability to eat certain foods therefore vitamins and supplements may be considered. In the case of someone with arthritis, it may be beneficial to speak to a professional about your diet to ensure you are consuming a diet that is appropriate for you and meets all of your needs. The following are recommended sites:

Canada Food Guide: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index_e.html

Dial-A-Dietician: http://www.dialadietitian.org/

Dietitians of Canada: http://www.dieticians.ca

A website has been developed by the Dietitians of Canada and allows personalized tracking of weight and body mass index (BMI). It allows calculation of daily nutrient intakes and totals time spent in various activities and compares this to recommended standards. There is an Eating Diary and an Activity Diary. Go to: www.eatracker.ca

Note: you can also assess your health risk by checking your:

Body Mass Index at website such as link below www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.htm

Hip to Waist Ratio at website such as link below www.jaxmed.com/articles/nutrition/bct.htm