Treating pain isn’t always about what’s in your medicine cabinet. Sometimes, the solution is in your refrigerator.

Inflammatory conditions like arthritis (rheumatoid, psoriatic, and osteoarthritis), fibromyalgia, and gout can cause considerable joint pain. Much of that inflammation can stem from eating the wrong foods.

Inflammatory conditions like arthritis (rheumatoid, psoriatic, and osteoarthritis), fibromyalgia, and gout can cause considerable joint pain. Much of that inflammation can stem from eating the wrong foods.

An anti-inflammatory diet may help to reduce your pain. Here are some food options to consider:

• • Leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and collards
  • Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines
  • Olive oil
  • Greek yogurt
  • Avocados
  • Fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, bananas, cherries, and oranges
  • Nuts like almonds and walnuts
  • Beans
  • Seeds such as flaxseeds and chia seeds.
  • Whole grains
  • Carotenoids: They’re found in yellow, orange, and red fruits and veggies like carrots, squash, tomatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon, and peaches.
  • Flavonoids, which you’ll find in berries, onions, cocoa, coffee, tea, and apples.

Here are foods to avoid, as they cause inflammation (sorry, this list includes a lot of people’s favorites):

• Refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries
• Fried foods
• Soft drinks and other beverages that are sweetened with sugar.
• Red meat (burgers, steaks) and processed meat (hot dogs, sausage, etc.)
• Margarine, shortening, and lard

If you’re seeking treatment for any pain or want to discuss inflammation and your diet with a chiropractor, call a Keith Clinic location or request an appointment online.