Diet for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis which affects the spine and causes pain with stiffness in neck and lower back; especially upon sleeping, working on laptop etc. In ankylosing spondylitis, the spinal vertebrae are fused together resulting in a rigid spine. The changes during the initial stages of ankylosing spondylitis are mild with the symptoms consisting of gradual pain, which also seems like a muscular pain. Ankylosing spondylitis, when neglected for a long time leads to a stooped body posture.

It is recommended by the doctors to keep a watch on persistent lower back pain, which if ignored may need major treatment like bed rest or surgery.

To alleviate the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, patient should follow a diet which curtails fat deposits from body. If the patient is overweight, then the patient needs to reduce weight for which a healthy diet needs to be followed. Diet for Ankylosing Spondylitis needs to have the following:

Omega-3 is a very beneficial supplement for human body and this is externally available in abundance and is a must have to be included in diet for ankylosing spondylitis. Omega-3 helps in reducing the effects of ankylosing spondylitis, as this supplement supports stomach cleansing and releases gastric erosions. Omega-3 is present in various edible products listed below:

1. Walnuts.
2. Soybean.
3. Canola oil.
4. Flaxseeds.
5. Salmon.
6. Tuna.
7. Water fish.
8. You can also add spinach and sprouts in salad to increase the amount of omega-3 in your diet.

Usually, all leafy green vegetables and fiber integrated fruits in your diet are beneficial; however, one should consume them at a certain time of day so that you can get necessary minerals and vitamins. Eating fruits during afternoon and before sunset is very healthy, as they release certain nutrients in the body that helps with proper blood circulation in the body without formation of blood clots. Actually when blood thickens, then clots form in legs or in the calf regions resulting in heavy feet or difficulty in walking. So, consumption of fruits is good for patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis as well others.

Patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis should include vegetables in their breakfast as well as lunch. Bottle gourd and leach potatoes are beneficial for lunch preparations. Always cook meals in canola oil as it has lowest cholesterol content integrated with omega-3. In case you want to eat rice, then make sure it is brown rice or starch extracted rice.

Whole grains are high in fiber that is why multigrain flour should be used to make tortilla. Various symptoms are triggered by certain diet plans and whole grain is very essential to inculcate in the daily diet for ankylosing spondylitis. Having oatmeal for breakfast is a good source for energy throughout the day. Without a healthy breakfast, you cannot have an active day. Oatmeal keeps the stomach full till late afternoon hours. To compensate the energy loss, you must also drink sufficient water throughout the day. Drink at 10 to 12 glasses of water daily to eliminate toxins from the body.

Sugar food items that have preserved sugar content should be avoided. The sugar, sodium, fatty food products and dairy products will aggravate the inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis. Avoid food items which contain the following 3 ingredients on the box:

1. Trans fats or hydrogenated oils.
2. Saturated fats.
3. Preservatives.

You cannot reduce weight or stay fit without eating a nutritional and balanced diet. As important it is to follow a balanced diet daily, it is not always possible to introduce all types of vegetables or vitamins in one whole meal. This is where dietary supplements come into play. There are various companies which are selling credible dietary supplements to maintain good health. It is recommended to take dietary fiber supplements, which are recommended by your doctor or a dietitian.

Alcohol can interfere with some medications given for treating ankylosing spondylitis. Alcohol is also known for destroying vitamins that are present in the body which further aggravates ankylosing spondylitis.

Mostly Ankylosing Spondylitis occurs in people who are above 40 years of age. Ankylosing spondylitis develops in teenagers or kids due to some accident, injury or is present by birth. One needs to take care of the spine while the treatment is going on otherwise any type of carelessness can lead to severe damage. The posture of the patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis becomes abnormal and the patient is in acute pain all the time which discourages the patient to leave house, go for work or engage in social activities. The spine of patients who are overweight get badly affected as the weight on lower abdomen doesn’t allow the spine to remain flexible. So it is very important for patients suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis to lose weight in order to get positive outcomes from the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis.

An overweight person is not able keep his/her body straight because the spine gets badly affected with the fat depositions. When there is too much pressure or exertion on the rigid area of spine, then patient has increase in pain and stiffness from ankylosing spondylitis. To avoid major complications, patient must avoid bending down and holding heavy objects while walking as all this may increase the rigidity in the spinal vertebrae and aggravate ankylosing spondylitis. Other than diet, exercises of the spine should be done as advised by the orthopedist and physiotherapist, as exercises can help in restoring the flexibility of the spine and helps in speedy recovery from ankylosing spondylitis.

Also Read:

• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Can Ankylosing Spondylitis Be Completely Cured?
• 7 Natural Ways To Relieve Symptoms Of Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Which Foods Are Beneficial For Ankylosing Spondylitis
• 3 Effective Ways to Deal with Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain
• 5 Common Myths and Facts Surrounding Ankylosing Spondylitis
• How are Biologics for Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis Delivered & What are its Side Effects?