Ankylosing spondylitis diet

Ankylosing spondylitis is a medical condition that can ruin your life. The condition can be explained as a type of arthritis that affects your hips and the spine. It can be characterized by muscle spasms, pain, and stiffness in your lower to mid-back.

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that mainly attacks the spine and the sacroiliac joints of a person, causing arthritis. In severe cases, it can cause inflammation of the eyes, bowel, and other joints of the body, and may also cause fatigue, weight loss, and photosensitivity.

The most critical thing about any form of arthritis is your diet and nutrition. Experts advocate that though food is no cure for such a condition as ankylosing spondylitis, an Ankylosing spondylitis diet can be a crucial determinant of the disease prognosis. It helps in improving the pain levels and even aids in improving the progress of the disease.

Diet and Ankylosing spondylitis

Diet and nutrition do play a significant role in arthritis conditions of Ankylosing spondylitis. The first thing first, is to get immediate relief, you need to lose weight. Even if you are not overweight or obese, just dropping a few kilos can be of great health benefit. Moreover, losing weight aids in lessening the load on the painful joints, and they are under less pressure and can function better.

In addition to weight loss, nutrition is also vital with Ankylosing spondylitis. An ankylosing spondylitis treatment diet focuses on vitamins and nutrients that are otherwise beneficial for your overall health. Certain foods in the diet help in cutting down bouts of inflammation.

Foods to allow in Ankylosing Spondylitis

1. Vegetables and fruits

Eating a variety of vegetables and fruits is one of the best ways to get varied antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins into your body so that it can stay strong and healthy.

Antioxidants help with AS symptoms, as they help in protecting the cells from free radicals, which contribute to inflammation.

2. Whole foods and grains

Whole grains and foods are high in fiber and help in reducing inflammation. However, whole grains due to gluten can trigger symptoms of arthritis in many, it is better to go for healthy whole grain foods like oatmeal and buckwheat and consult your dietician.

3. Omega – 3

These healthy fats found mainly in fatty fishes like salmon, trout, flaxseeds, and walnuts can go a long way in reducing inflammation.

4. Dairy

If you are having a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, you may not require dairy and dairy supplements, but it is always better to have an extra boost.

5. Low-starch foods

Low-starch foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, eggs, milk, and milk products are all low in starch and help in the improvement of AS symptoms and decrease inflammation. Make sure to drink plenty of water every day as it is a vital aspect of your overall well-being.

Ankylosing spondylitis foods to avoid

Certain foods should be limited or avoided in any kind of diet including the Ankylosing spondylitis diet.

1. High-fat, high-cholesterol foods

These foods should be consumed in limited amounts and best if avoided. Foods like red meats, fried foods, dairy, and poultry can increase inflammation, and even raise the risk of heart diseases.

2. Processed and packaged foods

Highly processed foods and even packaged foods contain high amounts of sodium and are typically low in fiber, which often has inflammation-promoting agents like sugars and refined grains.

3. Alcohol

Avoid taking alcohol. Alcohol interferes with medications and may cause side effects. Excessive consumption of alcohol may be harmful to your liver. It can make it hard for the body to digest the nutrients from foods and interfere with your body’s ability to absorb and store vitamins.

Ankylosing spondylitis ketogenic diet

The principle of an Ankylosing spondylitis ketogenic diet is to restrict your carbohydrate intake to 5 to 10% of your daily calorie intake. The most beneficial effect of a ketogenic diet for ankylosing spondylitis is weight loss and driving the body towards ketosis.

Being in ketosis helps reduce inflammation, and also helps in reducing pain due to decreased nervous activity. The nervous system of the body is responsible for pain perception by our brain, which can be relieved through a healthy nervous system.

No starch diet ankylosing spondylitis

A low-starch diet is believed to do wonders for people with ankylosing spondylitis. The idea behind the diet is to limit the intake of starchy foods and focus on vegetables and proteins to manage the inflammation.

It is believed that when you eat a lot of starchy foods, you put your body at risk for more inflammation.

To create a low starch diet for ankylosing spondylitis or a no starch diet for ankylosing spondylitis:

1. Cut down on

Bread, pasta, rice, grains, starchy vegetables like potatoes, corns, and beets, and starchy fruits like bananas.

2. Include

Nonstarchy vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, and mushrooms, non-starchy fruits like grapefruit, and berries, dairy products, tofu, fish, eggs, and lean meats.

Anti-inflammatory diet for Ankylosing spondylitis

Experts suggest that an anti-inflammatory diet for Ankylosing spondylitis can help in improving the symptoms of the condition. Here are some of the best foods that help in reducing inflammation:

Leafy greens:

Spinach, kale, and collard contain magnesium, and polyphenols that help in reducing inflammation.

Cruciferous vegetables:

Cauliflower and broccoli have antioxidants that can work wonders.

Other veggies:

Onions, leeks, garlic, red and yellow onions, and shallots are all laced with anti-inflammatory compounds.

Berries:

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are all high in antioxidant compounds like flavonoids and polyphenols.

Apples, cherries, and oranges:

helps in reducing inflammation.

Healthy oils:

Olive oil and avocado oil.

Nuts and seeds:

Walnuts, almonds, pistachios, peanuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds have omega-3 that aids in reducing inflammation.

Fatty fishes:

Salmon, cod, trout, and sardines are all rich in Omega-3, best for inflammation.

Coffee:

Coffee contains polyphenols and many other anti-inflammatory agents that are good with ankylosing spondylitis.

Ankylosing spondylitis vegan diet

With ankylosing spondylitis, following a diet with mostly plant-based foods is often recommended. Ankylosing spondylitis vegan diet will make you eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fats from nuts, seeds, and vegetables like avocado.

It is suggested that an ankylosing spondylitis Indian diet may lead to lower AS symptoms, that are primarily influenced by reduced starch consumption – the primary triggering factor involved in the development of AS.

Fasting is of extreme value when it comes to boosting your immune system, especially for autoimmune disorders like AS and cancers. For such reasons, you may also go for intermittent fasting for ankylosing spondylitis. Intermittent fasting is also helpful in decreasing disease severity, delay in the onset of a disease, and lesser signs of symptoms.

Sticking to any nutritious and well-balanced diet can be beneficial. Follow a few of these other tips like eating slowly, choosing smaller portions, drinking plenty of water, and cutting down on your salt and sugar intake. Always consult your dietician about your diet, and make sure you stay honest about your diet for the best results.

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