Understanding OA Diagnosis:
The Positive Impact of Weight Management
If you've recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA), please know that there are several measures you can take to alleviate your discomfort and safeguard your joints. Achieving a healthy weight can significantly benefit your condition. Here's the reason behind it.
Joint Pain
Every step you take exerts significant pressure on your joints, roughly one-and-a-half times your body weight on a flat surface. If you're walking uphill, this can amplify to two or three times your body weight. Over time, that accumulates to considerable strain.
For those with arthritis, joints can sometimes misalign, intensifying the stress they endure. To put it in perspective, every pound you weigh places a pressure equivalent to four pounds on arthritic knees. So, shedding just five pounds can relieve your joints of an extra 20 pounds of stress
Inflammation
Carrying extra weight can contribute to joint issues in multiple ways. Excess fat, particularly around the waist, produces chemicals that lead to mild inflammation throughout the body. This can intensify knee OA and potentially affect other joints, such as the hands and shoulders. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight can have a significant positive impact on your joint health.
Cartilage Loss
Shedding some weight can positively benefit the protective cartilage at the ends of your bones, potentially slowing down the progression of your OA. The greater the weight loss, the more you might help decelerate the disease's advancement. Stay encouraged on your journey!
Achieving weight loss can be a challenging journey, but we're here to support you every step of the way.
Many individuals aspire to shed some extra weight and undertake various methods, such as dieting, hitting the gym, or seeking counseling. It's essential to remember that even with consistent effort, some might face challenges in achieving or maintaining their desired weight. Factors like the availability of affordable, calorie-rich but nutrient-poor foods like sodas and burgers play a significant role. These foods, rich in sugar, salt, and fat, are particularly tempting because they stimulate our brain's pleasure centers. Moreover, large portion sizes and hectic lifestyles that leave little room for preparing wholesome meals contribute to the challenge. Always be kind to yourself on this journey.
You Can Succeed
According to experts, the key to breaking the cycle of dieting isn't to restrict yourself but to transform your eating habits, and fitness routines, and understand why you might overeat.
Not sure where to begin? Consider reaching out to your physician for guidance. They can introduce you to a qualified dietitian who can provide evidence-based strategies to help you achieve sustainable changes.
A simple tip to enhance your diet starting today: Embrace a variety of vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and beneficial fats like those from avocados and nuts
Learn more about Arthritis:
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Get better control of your arthritis with help from our experts. Arthritis can be confusing, but don't worry, we have the tips you need to make it easier to manage.
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