Ankylosing spondylitis in women is more common than you’d think. Read about the diet and recommendations you should follow to manage the condition.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a pathology that occurs with a process of arthritis in the area of the spine. It mostly affects women, in fact. It is characterized by developing inflammation and swelling between the vertebrae, causing functional disability and pain. You can treat it with drugs, although maintaining a good diet would also be beneficial.
Bear in mind that many rheumatic and inflammatory processes can be prevented by improving lifestyle habits. Good rest, a balanced and varied diet and exercise are key!
Why is diet important in ankylosing spondylitis in women?
Akylosing spondylitis, as explained, occurs with an inflammatory process and degeneration of cartilage. Providing the proper amount of certain nutrients is vital to prevent the progression of symptoms in all these processes.
There are some compounds, such as the fatty acids of the omega 3 series, that have been shown to be anti-inflammatory. According to a study published in Nutrition, they can improve the effectiveness of arthritis treatment, reducing pain and future progression.
It is also important to include the necessary doses of calcium, since this mineral guarantees good bone and joint health, according to research published in Nutrients.
Recommended foods in ankylosing spondylitis
There are certain foods can help treat and prevent ankylosing spondylitis. If you suffer from the disorder, you may notice improvement in the manifestations if you include them in your diet.
Oily fish
You know oily fish have a high content of omega 3 fatty acids. These, as we have mentioned, are capable of modulating and alleviating inflammatory mechanisms, thus generating an efficient management of the problem. They can help you prevent acute pain episodes.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, which is also capable of exerting a positive effect when it comes to controlling inflammation in the body. According to research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, supplementation with turmeric extract is effective in helping to treat all the processes that have to do with arthritis.
Spicy foods
Spicy foods, such as chili, contain a compound, capsaicin. Although doctors do not recommend it to people with delicate stomachs, it has the power to reduce inflammation in the body and modulate pain.
Foods to avoid
There are also foods that will have the opposite effect to the ones on the list. Try to avoid the following foods when suffering from anylosing spondylitis.
Sweet
The consumption of simple sugars in excess can exert an inflammatory effect, from the increase in blood glucose levels and, therefore, the demand for work at the pancreatic level.
Eating or drinking these ingredients contributes to increasing the sensation of pain and stiffness, so it should be avoided as much as possible.
Sausages
Sausages usually contain additives inside. They can cause an increase in inflammation. This is why people must avoid consuming them, both in the regular diet of a healthy person and in the diet of those who suffer from ankylosing spondylitis.
Ultra-processed
In general, you need to eliminate all industrial ultra-processed foods from your diet. They have trans fatty acids in their composition.
These can worsen your health and an increase in inflammatory mechanisms in the body. For this reason, they can increase the sensation of pain.
Alcohol
Alcohol intake increases the workload at the liver level, since this organ will have to take care of its metabolism to eliminate it later. This can be counterproductive in the processes of ankylosing spondylitis and other arthritis, as it increases inflammation.
Improve ankylosing spondylitis by improving your diet!
Improving dietary habits is paramount to preventing the progression of the disease. Recommendations are to increase the consumption of fresh foods, such as vegetables and fish, thus reduce the presence of ultra-processed products of industrial origin.
Also promoting the practice of physical exercise on a regular basis and avoiding alcohol maintains the functionality of the body. In addition, you should sleep tight at night, since this is when you’ll repair any tissues with damage.
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