Discover How Anti-Inflammatory Diet Can Soothe Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a progressive inflammatory disease condition that primarily affects vertebrae, the bones of the spine. As the condition advances, it can make vertebrae fuse, thereby making the spine less flexible. The affected individual may suffer from pain and stiffness in the lower back, neck, and hips, fatigue, and, eventually, a hunched posture. Although there is no cure for the condition, certain dietary and lifestyle modifications can help reduce the inflammation and manage ankylosing spondylitis. The right treatment, self-care, along with appropriate ankylosing spondylitis diet can help slow the progression of the disease and regulate its symptoms. For this purpose, World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day is observed on the first Saturday of May globally to promote awareness about the disease and mobilize supporters to act to ease the condition. This year World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day will be celebrated on 6^th May 2023. The theme of this global health awareness day is “Moving for axSpA” which emphasizes the significance of physical activity for the physical and psychological well-being of ankylosing spondylitis sufferers. Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is the related chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints. The theme aims to spread awareness about how movement can help reduce pain and stiffness, boost energy levels, and improve the sleep of the affected individuals. Along with the necessary treatment, diet and exercise play a crucial role in managing ankylosing spondylitis. So, you might be wondering how diet can help ease the condition, aren’t you? Discover all about the role of ankylosing spondylitis diet in soothing the inflammatory condition by reading this blog below.

How Diet Can Help Ease Inflammation Due to Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)?

Reducing inflammation can help improve the relief of AS sufferers. Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods in your diet is a potential way to minimize inflammation. Also, eliminating foods that cause or aggravate inflammation can help manage your symptoms and make your body stronger. Individuals having a genetic predisposition for the disease can find ankylosing spondylitis treatment diet quite beneficial in soothing the symptoms. An anti-inflammatory diet is overall good to manage the condition and strengthen the immune system.

9 Foods That Can Lower Inflammation in Ankylosing Spondylitis Sufferers

Although diet can’t cure the condition, it plays a marked role in reducing inflammation naturally and managing the symptoms which may help you feel better. A diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can help minimize your inflammation. Here are some of the best nutritious foods that can reduce inflammation.

1. Cruciferous Vegetables

Sulforaphane content in cruciferous vegetables is effective in lowering inflammation. Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate occurring in cruciferous vegetables. It activates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses in your body, thereby reducing inflammation. So, add cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale, among others, to your diet for cervical spondylitis. You may eat these vegetables raw or cooked. You may replace mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower in your diet.

2. Leafy Greens

The magnesium and polyphenols in leafy greens help alleviate the inflammation. Also, vitamins A, D, E, and K in these vegetables help combat inflammation. So, you can enrich your ankylosing spondylitis diet with fresh leafy greens, such as collard greens, kale, and spinach. You may cook them or prepare salads using these nutritious vegetables. Adding olive oil and garlic to them can help maximize the anti-inflammatory benefits.

3. Allium Family Foods

Onion, garlic, spring onions, and shallots are foods of the allium family. It comprises sulfuric compounds known as quercetin, which is a flavonoid that helps lower inflammation. So, adding shallots and red or yellow onions to your diet provides you with anti-inflammatory benefits. You may cook them or serve them raw by adding them to your sandwiches and salads.

4. Berries

Abundant in inflammation-fighting compounds, such as polyphenols and anthocyanin, berries are healthy foods for cervical spondylitis. The intake of blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries can help you combat inflammation. So, include them in your oatmeal, smoothies, and salads.

5. Healthy Oils

Oleocanthal content in olive oils and other oils acts quite identical to the effect of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine. Besides this, other antioxidants found in these healthy oils fight inflammation. So, use avocado oil and extra virgin olive oil in your food preparations. Replace margarine and butter with these healthy oils in salads and other food specialities.

6. Nuts and Seeds

The anti-inflammatory effects of alpha linolic acid, which is a type of omega-3 fatty acid, that occurs in seeds and nuts help minimize the inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis patients. It offers powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. So, munch on nuts, such as peanuts, walnuts, almonds, and pistachios. Also, include seeds, such as flax seeds and chia seeds, in your ankylosing spondylitis diet, by adding them to your oatmeal or sprinkling them over the yoghurt or smoothies.

7. Other Nutritious Fruits

Fruits not only are nutritious but also offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Polyphenols and quercetin, which are inflammation-fighting compounds, present in cherries, oranges, and apples, help ease your discomforts. So, savour fresh, raw fruits. Prefer to eat whole fruits instead of fruit juice.

8. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids that help minimize inflammation in your body. So, when battling ankylosing spondylitis, enrich your diet with these healthy fish, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, and rainbow trout.

9. Coffee

Polyphenols and other anti-inflammatory compounds in coffee make it an ideal food to combat ankylosing spondylitis. So, drink a cup of coffee, but make sure that it is unsweetened, low in calories, and has no added flavour. Prefer to drink black coffee; you may add a small splash of milk or cream to it for taste.

6 Foods to Avoid When Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis

While you should include foods offering anti-inflammatory benefits in your ankylosing spondylitis diet, you should refrain from eating foods that can worsen the symptoms of AS. Here’s a quick rundown of foods to avoid when dealing with ankylosing spondylitis.

1. Sugary Foods

Avoid all sorts of foods laden with sugar. So, do not include soda, candies, sugary shakes, and desserts in your ankylosing spondylitis treatment diet.

2. Saturated Fats

Saturated fats and trans fats generate inflammatory responses and aggravate the symptoms of AS in your body. So, they are not good when battling ankylosing spondylitis. Refrain from eating fried foods, fries, chips, and other fast foods.

3. Processed Foods

Processed foods are responsible for triggering inflammation that may even lead to chronic inflammation. So, avoid adding processed foods to your diet for cervical spondylitis.

4. Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates can cause inflammation in your body. So, avoid adding white bread, pastries, white rice, and other refined carbohydrates to your diet.

5. Red Meat

It can aggravate discomfort by boosting inflammation in your body. So, stay away from red meat.

6. Gluten and Dairy

Foods containing gluten and dairy products may compromise the gut and immune system in some ankylosing spondylitis patients. If you are gluten-sensitive, eating foods containing gluten can increase inflammation and aggravate AS symptoms in your body. In some ankylosing spondylitis sufferers, dairy products can also cause inflammation. So, figure out whether gluten-containing foods and dairy products worsen your symptoms, and avoid having them in your diet.

You may also maintain a food journal, track which foods aggravates your symptoms, and eliminate them from your diet.

Now that you know which foods can ease your ankylosing spondylitis symptoms and which foods worsen them, develop your diet plan for AS accordingly. Let’s spread the word about the role of diet in managing AS this World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day so that a maximum number of AS sufferers can benefit from it. The precious guidance of certified nutritionists and dieticians, such as health experts at Health Total, can help you have a customized ankylosing spondylitis diet for the best positive outcomes. Our diet plan not only eases your symptoms but also manages your weight, boosts your immunity, and lowers or prevents potential health risks. So, be quick, get in touch with us at Health Total and improve your relief and quality of life with our personalized ankylosing spondylitis diet.

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