Arthritis is most commonly seen in older adults but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people of all age groups (including children) can also be affected by arthritis. Osteoarthritis is one of the common types of arthritic onset mostly occurs after the age of 40 and rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can develop at any age. The symptoms include swelling, pain, and stiffness of the joints.

Many people seek relief from over-the-counter pain medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly called (NSAIDs), however, these medications can wreak havoc on your gut and may give you long-term complications. In this blog, we will discuss some of the natural ways to help relieve pain from rheumatoid arthritis and you can see how paleo autoimmune protocol can help with that. (Also Read: How Collagen Protein Helps In Dealing With Rheumatoid Arthritis)

What Is Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that affects more than 1.5 million adults in the world every year. In this autoimmune condition, the body’s immune system begins attacking the joints by mistaking them as foreign invaders. The body attacks thin membranes surrounding the joints allowing the immune complexes and fluid to build up and cause significant pain. If someone in your family has rheumatoid arthritis, then you are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis in your lifetime. Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can be diagnosed through blood tests and a physical exam done by your functional medicine doctor.

Ways To Get Relief from Arthritis Naturally

The good news is that rheumatoid arthritis can be reversed naturally by making your body function optimally.

1. Onboard to Paleo Autoimmune Protocol Diet

The AIP diet encourages healthy eating by removing the inflammatory foods from your diet that includes gluten, legumes, grains, and nightshades. Since these foods may contain lectins that act as a pesticide for crops, they can wreak havoc on the internal lining of your gut. You must also exclude dairy products, eggs, nuts, seeds, clarified butter & ghee, food additives, chocolate, alcohol, and all sugars (including alternative sugars, such as stevia and xylitol).

Include AIP-friendly foods such as grass-fed meat, fish, sweet potatoes, coconut milk and vegetables (exclude nightshades). Replace refined cooking oils with healthy oils such as avocado oil, coconut oil, and olive oil. For gut healing, use dairy-free fermented foods (such as sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir made with coconut milk, or kimchi). Instead of sugar, use organic honey or maple syrup in small quantities for sweetening.

2. Maintain Optimal Weight

Carrying extra weight puts stress on your bones and joints, especially on those joints of your knees, feet, and hips. Maintaining optimal weight not only improves flexibility and mobility but also helps you prevent further joint damage. While managing weight, counting just calories is not enough you must also address the lifestyle factors such as stress and eating habits because these factors may also lead to abnormal weight gain.

You can manage weight gain by practicing healthy eating and keeping your mind at peace. Autoimmune nutrition provides you with plenty of vital nutrients that not only keep symptoms at bay but also help you maintain optimal weight. If you are looking for motivation to support healthy eating while also pleasing your taste buds, refer to these healthy yet tasty recipes (Read: Delicious AIP And Paleo Protein Diet Recipes). Also for a power packed nutrition on-the-go, refer to this article. (Read: Top 3 Paleo And AIP Friendly Smoothies To Include In Your Diet)

3. Give Your Body Enough Exercise

Exercises such as aerobic and resistance exercise training can help strengthen your joints and treat arthritics naturally. Studies show that flowing exercises are best for treating arthritis naturally that includes strengthening exercises, such as light weightlifting, water aerobics, swimming, dancing, and brisk walking. Practicing yoga also improves coordination and flexibility. You must keep in mind that keeping your body physically less active can cause mobility issues and may worsen the condition of arthritis.

Your joints will thank you for any kind of low-impact movement or exercise.

4. Take a bath in Epsom Salts

Most people use a heating pad or an ice pack to relieve inflammation. However, a good hot bath acts really well in relieving arthritis naturally. After completing your daily exercise take a detoxifying bath with Epsom salts because Epsom salts contain high levels of sulfates and magnesium which can help reduce inflammation and muscle spasms.

5. Use Autoimmune Protocol Supplements