Short Answer: Olive oil is good for arthritis. Because it has oleic acid and antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and protect your cells.
Arthritis is a condition that affects your joints, which are the places where two bones meet in your body.
In arthritis, your body produces inflammation in your joints, which can damage the cartilage, the tissue that covers the ends of bones and allows smooth movement.
This can lead to various health problems, such as pain, stiffness, swelling, reduced range of motion, and disability.
One of the key factors in managing arthritis is diet.
What you consume can affect your inflammation levels, which can impact your arthritis symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage arthritis, you should consume anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts, and avoid pro-inflammatory foods like red meat, processed foods, sugar, and refined grains.
Now, olive oil is a liquid fat obtained from olives, the fruit of the olive tree.
People usually use it for cooking, salad dressing, or dipping bread.
Olive oil is good for arthritis because it contains oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that has anti-inflammatory properties.
It also contains antioxidants, such as polyphenols and vitamin E, that can protect your cells from oxidative stress and inflammation.
One tablespoon of olive oil can give you about 14% of your daily needs of oleic acid and 10% of your daily needs of vitamin E.
Oleic acid can reduce the production of inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and prostaglandins, that are involved in arthritis.
Antioxidants can prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which can contribute to atherosclerosis, a complication of arthritis.
Furthermore, olive oil is a healthy fat and healthy fats are good for arthritis.
Because, they can lower your blood pressure, improve your blood sugar levels, and support your heart health.
You can eat up to two tablespoons of olive oil per day safely.
More than that can cause excess calories, weight gain, and digestive issues.
Also, you shouldn’t eat olive oil if you have a gallbladder problem or a bile duct obstruction to prevent gallstones or pancreatitis.
Because, olive oil can stimulate the contraction of the gallbladder and the release of bile, which can be blocked by stones or inflammation.
You can buy fresh olive oil in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose extra virgin olive oil, which is the highest quality and has the most antioxidants.
Because, lower quality olive oils may be diluted with other oils or processed with heat or chemicals that can reduce their benefits.
You can store olive oil in a cool, dark, and dry place for up to a year.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing arthritis effectively.
I always recommend my arthritis patients to follow an arthritis-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.