More Fish, Less Joint Pain for Arthritis Sufferers

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Give a man a fish, and you’ll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you’ve fed him for a lifetime.” Sure, it’s a life lesson. But there’s also some practical wisdom there, especially if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. You probably know the signs and symptoms:

• Tender, swollen joints
• Stiffness in your joints that make it difficult and painful to move
• Aggravated symptoms upon waking up, or after a long period of sitting
• Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause other problems to vision, skin, lungs, heart, etc.

At first, rheumatoid arthritis is typically manageable with minimal impact on quality of life. But as the disease progresses, people often find simple tasks become more difficult. Sometimes the symptoms are minimal, and other times a flare up aggravates joint pain and stiffness. Medication, physical therapy, and sometimes even surgery are treatment practices used to manage rheumatoid arthritis. But new research suggests dietary changes can have a positive impact as well.

So is eating fish good for arthritis and joint pain? In a recent study, researchers looked at the eating habits of 176 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They found that the more fish people ate, the less they experienced joint pain, swelling and stiffness associated with rheumatoid arthritis. People who ate fish twice a week or more reported significantly fewer symptoms than people who ate fish less than once a month.

This was a small study. But researchers are hopeful that the finding will help identify new ways to help patients manage rheumatoid arthritis. “...It suggests that fish consumption may lower inflammation related to rheumatoid arthritis disease activity,” says lead researcher Dr. Sara Tedeschi.

But it’s not the only health benefit to eating fish. Fish can also be a good source of omega-3 fatty acids to support heart health and brain function. Omega-3 fatty acids also help control blood pressure, support fetal development, and aid in decreasing depression.

If you’re looking for an easy way to add more fish to your diet, don’t worry about grabbing your fishing pole and heading down to the water to catch your dinner. There’s another way to get all the fish you need (or at least two servings a week). Take a look at the MagicKitchen.com frozen seafood delivery menu and enjoy favorites like Salmon Caponata, Tilapia with Mushroom & Artichoke Hearts, and others.

Check out our menu created specifically to meet the dietary needs of people who have diabetes.See our Diabetic-Friendly Meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.