Short Answer: Shrimp is good for arthritis. Because it has omega-3 fatty acids, protein, selenium and vitamin B12 and they can reduce inflammation, support joint health, protect cells from damage and prevent nerve problems and anemia.
Arthritis is a condition that affects your joints, which are the places where your bones meet and move.
In arthritis, your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks your own joint tissues, causing inflammation, pain, stiffness and damage.
This can lead to various health problems, such as reduced mobility, disability, and increased risk of infections and heart disease.
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 rich foods like fatty fish, berries, nuts and olive oil, and avoid pro-inflammatory rich foods like red meat, processed foods, sugar and alcohol.
Now, shrimp is a type of seafood that comes from the ocean or freshwater.
People usually eat shrimp boiled, grilled, fried or in dishes like salads, soups, curries and pasta.
Shrimp is good for arthritis because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, protein, selenium and vitamin B12.
Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation and improve joint health.
Protein is essential for building and repairing muscle and bone tissues.
Selenium is an antioxidant that protects your cells from oxidative stress and damage.
Vitamin B12 is important for maintaining healthy nerve function and preventing anemia.
100 grams of shrimp can give you 20 grams of protein (40% of your daily needs), 0.3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (15% of your daily needs), 64 micrograms of selenium (116% of your daily needs) and 1.8 micrograms of vitamin B12 (75% of your daily needs).
Omega-3 fatty acids can positively affect arthritis by lowering the production of inflammatory chemicals in your body, such as cytokines and prostaglandins.
Protein can positively affect arthritis by supporting the growth and repair of your joint tissues, such as cartilage, ligaments and tendons.
Selenium can positively affect arthritis by enhancing the activity of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from free radicals and inflammation.
Vitamin B12 can positively affect arthritis by preventing nerve damage and anemia, which can worsen your arthritis symptoms and quality of life.
Furthermore, shrimp is a low-purine food and purines are bad for arthritis.
Because, purines are substances that are broken down into uric acid in your body, and high levels of uric acid can cause gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects your big toe and other joints.
You can eat up to 4 ounces of shrimp per day safely.
More than that can cause allergic reactions, high cholesterol, mercury poisoning or shellfish poisoning.
Also, you shouldn’t eat shrimp if you have shellfish allergy, high cholesterol, kidney disease or gout to prevent severe reactions, complications or flare-ups.
Because, shrimp can trigger your immune system, raise your blood cholesterol, increase your uric acid or contain harmful toxins.
You can buy fresh shrimp in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose shrimp that are firm, translucent, odorless and have intact shells.
Because, these are signs of freshness and quality.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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.