Recipe for Relief

December 13, 2006 (WLS) -- Many people rely on medication to help cope with the pain of arthritis. But, there may be a way to cook up some alternative relief in your own kitchen.

It's called the anti-inflammatory diet. It may sound like a lot to swallow, but those who do it say it's really quite simple. It's all about eliminating certain foods and adding others to help the body fight inflammation. Experts say it not only helps people with inflammatory diseases but also has the potential to benefit just about anyone.

Arnie Goodwin doesn't pretend to be a gourmet in the kitchen. But he has learned how to turn a can of soup into a super meal by adding ingredients such as onions, tomatoes and spinach. Arnie says, thanks to this diet, his rheumatoid arthritis in check.

"Over time, you just really feel better," said Arnie.

The anti-inflammation diet is touted as a way to ease the pain of inflammation associated with arthritis, multiple sclerosis and more. First, dietitians say you have to eliminate foods that can cause inflammation, such as processed foods and those with a lot of salt, sugar or fat.

"Changing the kinds of fat in your diet plays a big role in decreasing or increasing inflammatory hormones," said dietitian Marla Brodsky, RD, LD.

That means staying away from animal fats and trans fats, so-called man-made fats. Experts say omega 6 fats such as corn oil and sunflower oil can also trigger inflammation.

Registered dietician Marla Brodsky teaches others how to embrace this diet. She has multiple sclerosis and believes the right foods and exercise help keep her condition mild.

"Food is very potent and very powerful and complex, and it's more complex than most of the medications we have," said Brodsky.

Inflammation is normally a good response to infection or injuries. But it can become a problem when the immune system gets overactive, inflaming things when there is no injury, such as the joints of arthritis patients. The theory is what you eat can trigger or quiet inflammatory responses in your body.

The foods that seem to soothe inflammation include apples, onions, broccoli and rosemary. Spices such as cayenne pepper, ginger and turmeric are believed to contain powerful chemicals that help with healing, and so are wild mushrooms which are packed with vitamin D.

"Increasing the level of vitamin D in our blood actually helps to reduce pain and reduce muscle aching," said Brodsky.

Marla helps people maneuver the diet in classes at Whole Foods. She leads people through the aisles pointing out good and bad choices.

"You want to pick a bread that you can barely lift. You want it to be heavy you want to be able to chew it," said Brodsky.

Finally, there are the good fats. Omega 3's are touted as wonderful ant-inflammatories. They are found in cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, and even pumpkin seeds.

"Olive oil and canola oil and mono-saturated fats, walnut oil, all of those decrease are neutral to inflammation," Brodsky said.

Arnie still takes his anti-inflammatory prescription pills, but says he hasn't had to increase his medications in years. He gives a lot of credit to the changes in his diet.

"I really haven't had a flare in 12-14 months, which is awesome," said Arnie.

The Arthritis Foundation endorses this eating program and is behind the classes Marla holds for the general public. Whole Foods is one of the venues.

This diet is not intended to take the place of traditional medical care. We covered just some of the foods considered to have anti-inflammatory properties.

The Arthritis Foundation
www.arthritis.org

Marla Brodsky, RD, LD, CNSD
Dietitian
773-330-8275
mbrodsky@ameritech.net

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