Arthritis: Studies claim THIS cooking oil can help in reducing inflammation
There are several foods, medications that can ease the pain.
Arthritis is the condition where there is swelling in the joint areas. This condition leads to extreme pain and inflammation around the joint areas. What worsens this condition is the fact that it is almost impossible to cure it and with age the impossibility of curing it increases.
The only way that can give relief to the patients is to manage it. There are several foods, medications that can ease the pain for the patients.
One such wonder food is a type of cooking oil. It is known to reduce inflammation and thus helps in easing the pain around joint areas of those who have arthritis.
Which cooking oil are we talking about?
The wonder food that we are talking about is olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil which is the least processed version of the oil.
To the unknowns, there are three main grades or forms of olive oil: refined oil, virgin olive oil and extra virgin olive oil.
Of all the forms, the extra virgin olive oil is considered to be the most healthy form of olive oil and is also superior in taste. It is extracted using healthy methods.
Extra virgin olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties
In addition to being the healthiest form of olive oil, the extra virgin olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties. It is rich in antioxidants.
One of the main antioxidants found in extra virgin olive oil is oleocanthal. As per a research study, "subsequent to its discovery and identification, oleocanthal has been reported to exhibit various modes of action in reducing inflammatory related disease, including joint-degenerative disease, neuro-degenerative disease and specific cancers."
Several studies have discussed the importance of oleocanthal as a therapeutic compound for the treatment of joint degenerative disease.
What do research studies say?
Studies have worked on the topical and oral administration of olive oil in patients suffering from arthritis.
A 2020 research study based on a randomized clinical trial, which was done in Arak, Iran found that applying topical extra virgin olive oil was effective in controlling rheumatoid arthritis manifestations.
Another study claims that the antioxidants in olive oil work similarly to the drug ibuprofen which is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever. Oleic acid is also known to reduce the amount of C-reactive protein in the blood; C-reactive protein is an inflammatory marker in arthritis conditions.
How much extra virgin olive oil should one consume?
Human beings have a tendency to start working on the remedy even without knowing the full details.
Though extra virgin olive oil is good for the human body, an excess of it might cause problems.
Though there is no concrete report on this, considering various health reports it can be said that it is good to have 1-4 tablespoons of olive oil per day. Though the amount of oil one consumes greatly depends on the type of food and the nature of the diet, it is however suggested to consume oil in moderation, no matter how healthy it is.
Is there a suitable time to consume olive oil?
As per health experts, the extra virgin olive oil can work wonders when consumed in a particular time of the day. The best practice to consume olive oil for anti-inflammation benefits is to consume it first thing in the morning.
The benefits of having olive oil in the morning is backed by several health experts. Apart from promoting a healthy skin and aiding in weight loss, having olive oil the first thing in the morning helps prevent colon cancer and detoxifies the body.
What are the other things arthritis patients should take care of?
Arthritis patients should always try to manage their weight, and should quit unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking. Using good posture, keeping the joints moving are also equally essential.
One should engage in low impact exercises and avoid high impact workouts.
Dependency on over-the-counter pain relievers should be reduced to a great extent.