The Atkins Diet and Arthritis
Low-carb diets are incredibly popular ways to lose weight, but they can also have the added benefit of positively effecting a number of chronic, health-related conditions such as arthritis. By removing a majority of overly processed carbs from your diet and taking other steps consistent with the Atkins approach, you can stem the tide of inflammation and reduce the pain associated with arthritis.
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About Arthritis
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Arthritis is a condition whereby a person experiences painful swelling and inflammation in the joints. The disease develops gradually and grows progressively worse over time. Stiffness, inflammation and swelling in the extremities upon waking without corresponding sickness (sweating, fever or chills) is a symptom of arthritis.
Alleviating Arthritis Pain Naturally
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Harvard Medical School researchers have determined that in certain individuals, the body's natural response to carbohydrates can trigger the immune system. The immune system thereafter attacks the joints, which can result in arthritis. Thus, limiting carbohydrate consumption may alleviate arthritis pain.
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Atkins and Arthritis
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Thus, Atkins can help alleviate your arthritis pain by limiting your consumption of processed, starchy carbs. To follow the Atkins plan, eat no more than 20 grams of carbs a day for a period of two weeks. This will allow your body to move into ketosis, a fat-burning state. After this period, double your daily carb intake to 40 grams per day. In any event, keep your carb intake as healthy as possible, sticking to good carbs like vegetables, fruits and moderate amounts of whole grains. Stay away from bad carbs such as starches, processed foods and white (refined) flour. The aforementioned carb recommendations come from the Harvard School of Public Health, but if you have an official Atkins' product, follow your guide's advice explicitly, even if it is contrary to the "allowed" carbs listed here. Maintain this level of carb intake until you are roughly five pounds from your target weight. At that point, steadily increase carb intake until you are losing no more than a pound per week. When you reach your target weight, increase carbs further (still sticking mainly to fruits and veggies) until you find the point at which you are neither gaining nor losing weight.
Modifying Atkins for Additional Arthritis Benefits
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To further reduce symptoms of arthritis while following Atkins, take the following two steps. First, increase consumption of omega 3 fatty acids while decreasing consumption of omega 6 fatty acids. To do this, take at least five to 10 grams of fish oil daily, cut back on fatty red meat and increase seafood consumption. Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation, making them a suitable companion for your time on the Atkins Diet. Secondly, consume adequate amounts of fiber. To do this while keeping your carbs low, stick to green, fibrous veggies such as spinach, lettuce, cucumbers and broccoli. Eat at least one serving with every meal.
Considerations
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Taking the aforementioned steps in conjunction with the traditional Atkins plan can go a long way toward alleviating symptoms of arthritis. Just be sure to note that this is not an all-out cure for arthritis. However, you should notice some benefits within three to four weeks of beginning the plan. Although sticking to a low-carb approach over the long-term can be difficult, if it helps to alleviate symptoms of arthritis, it will be well worth the effort.
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