Arthritis is common, but it is not very well understood by many. Arthritis refers to as many as 100 different types of joint conditions, and it is a leading cause of disability in the country.

Understanding the causes of the condition and following a few nutrition tips is important for arthritis patients as well as for people prone to developing the disease. Read on to learn more about the joint condition.

Causes of arthritis
Some types of arthritis are a result of the reduction of cartilage tissue in the body. Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue in the body that’s responsible for protecting the joints by absorbing the shock as the joints move. Osteoarthritis is a result of the regular wear and tear of the joints, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition caused when the body’s immune system attacks the healthy tissues. The bone and cartilage are damaged in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Nutrition tips for arthritis
Several foods ease inflammation and aid recovery from arthritis. Here are a few nutrition tips for arthritis patients:

• Eat walnuts
  Walnuts are extremely beneficial that help reduces inflammation of joints. Walnuts are abundant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are helpful for improving the symptoms of arthritis. People with rheumatoid arthritis are suggested to take omega-3 supplements or up their intake of foods rich in the healthy fats, like walnuts or olive oil. Several studies are still in progress for understanding the causes of arthritis, but this nutrition tip is helpful for managing the condition.
• Maintain a food diary
  Obesity is among the main causes of arthritis, and maintaining a food diary can help a great deal in shedding the extra pounds. One must record what one eats, especially if they have arthritis, because one tends to underestimate what they eat by up to 15%. Keeping a food diary can help speed up the healthy weight loss process because one can easily keep track of their eating habits. Also, regularly weighing oneself can help monitor the progress, and small gains that are not physically visible but can be seen on the scale provide the much-needed motivation.
• Avoid sugary drinks
  One should stay away from drinks with high sugar content as much as possible. Even a can of soda can shoot up cholesterol and blood pressure levels, which, in turn, causes severe consequences in the form of aggravated symptoms. Instead, one should drink more water and fresh juices without added sugar.
• Avoid emotional eating
  Emotional eating can lead to more damage than the good it does to uplift your mood. To help avoid emotional eating, one should understand what causes the urge to eat. Preparing in advance can also help an individual eat healthy. Apart from the above, one should also focus on exercising regularly to lead an active and healthy life.