Arthritis is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint and around 10 million people in the UK have it.
The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but currently there’s no cure for either.
Eating certain foods is believed by health experts to help ease joint inflammation, such as nuts, onions and beans.
The oil you use in cooking could also be an anti-inflammatory arsenal.
Sara Haas, a Chicago-based dietitian, chef and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says some cooking oils can help prevent inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Speaking to Arthritis Foundation, she recommends avocado oil.
The pale green oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which can lower heart disease and stroke risks.
Research also suggests avocado oil has an anti-inflammatory effect. It’s also a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E – an antioxidant which has been proven to help ease symptoms of arthritis.
Sara recommends other oils to help joint pain:
Olive oil
It’s high in monounsaturated fats and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, olive oils are among the best-studied fats, with many known health benefits.
Walnut oil
This oil is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, including alpha-linoleic acid. These fatty acids can also lower levels of C-reactive protein, a measure of body-wide inflammation.
Regular exercise is also recommended as a natural cure and, particularly for rheumatoid arthritis, lap swimming has been proven to help.
Arthritis Foundation explains why this type of swimming is so good for arthritis sufferers.
It says: “Swimming is a wonderful zero-impact sport for people with arthritis. It works all your muscle groups and builds cardiovascular endurance. It also stretches and lengthens your body, improving your posture.
“Swimming laps can be very meditative, there is no pounding music, no clanging weights – it’s just you and the water. The support of the water and the lack of joint impact make swimming a good choice for people who are unable to undertake high-impact activities, such as running.”
The organisation does say to consider specific modifications depending on your joints affected:
Although warm water exercise is often more comfortable for those with arthritis, it is not ideal for lap swimming. A pool that is too hot will increase your blood pressure more rapidly than if you are in a cooler pool.
Each stroke uses different joints in different ways. You will have to choose which is most comfortable for your affected joints.
Swim equipment, such as kickboards and pull buoys, can help you modify your strokes.