Top 5 Diet Remedies For Ankylosing Spondylitis

Pain and stiffness in your lower back, inability to attain a straight posture, or lift your head up completely to view straight, are all symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis, which is a spinal inflammatory disease. It affects more men than women and the signs of this medical condition start in early adulthood, in persons who are prone to it. However, the conditions can improve with treatment over time. Therapy involves remedies for stiffness and inflammation.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, surgery, physiotherapy are used for treating Ankylosing Spondylitis. Lifestyle and diet remedies also play a vital role in combating this backbone problem. Diets that boost your general health and reduce inflammation should be consumed. However, it is always recommended to adopt a diet plan after consultation with a certified dietitian.

Diet Remedy For Ankylosing Spondylitis

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega- 3 fatty acids have been found to retard the progress of Ankylosing Spondylitis in persons suffering from it. Hence, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids should be incorporated in one’s diet.

Cold water fish such as salmon and tuna, walnut, flaxseeds, canola, soybean, spinach, Brussels Sprouts, Kale , and salad greens are all rich in omega-3 fatty acids. You can include any one of these in your diet on a daily basis.

Whole Grain Foods

Whole grain foods are found to have anti-inflammatory properties. They are also rich in fiber which promotes general health. Whole grain breads can replace refined flour breads in your daily diet.

However, if you have arthritis you should be careful with whole grain foods, as they may worsen your problem. You have to first try the food and observe if it is aggravating or alleviating your condition.

Avoid Sugar, Sodium and Fat

Foods that contain refined sugar, common salt and unhealthy fats increase inflammation and should be avoided. When purchasing commercial food products you should avoid foods that are labeled with added sugar, high sodium, preservatives, saturated fats, and trans fats. Packaged ready-to-eat foods contain a lot of these ingredients and should be avoided.

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Low Starch Foods

Reducing the intake of starch is seen to alleviate inflammation in persons suffering from Ankylosis Spondylitis. Hence, they should replace high starch foods such as white rice, white bread and potatoes, with their low starch counterparts.

Fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and dairy products are low starch foods. Some of these can be eaten raw, while others have to be consumed in the cooked form.

Calcium

Ankylosis Spondylitis is a bone disease that weakens the bone. Calcium is a vital ingredient for bone health. It will not only provide strength to the bones of persons suffering from Ankylosis Spondylitis, but also protect them from osteoporosis.

 Bone health is maximized when calcium is taken along with Vitamin D, another promoter of bone health. Diets that are rich in calcium and vitamin D include milk, cheese, yogurt and fatty fish (mackerel, tuna and salmon).

Care should be taken to not overeat and become overweight. This is because excess body weight becomes an additional burden on the spine, which is already weakened due to Ankylosis Spondylitis.

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