Nutrition
Nutrition Services in Portland, OR, Bellevue, WA, and Tempe, AZ
Nutrition plays an important role in overall health and wellness. While issues like weight management and diabetes may have a more direct correlation with not eating right, poor nutrition can also inform or compound other health concerns, including knee pain.
The team at Reflex Knee Specialists takes a comprehensive and integrative approach to treating various causes of knee pain. As part of our non-surgical treatment offerings, our providers offer nutrition education to help patients understand what foods their bodies need to stay healthy and which foods promote systemic inflammation and are detrimental to their overall health. We offer care at our offices in Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; and Tempe, Arizona.
The Relationship Between Nutrition and Knee Health
It’s important to be aware of which nutrients people need to maintain better health and function. Proper nutrition can help lower the risk of health issues. Nutritional deficiencies can weaken the immune system and cause an individual to come down with colds and other illnesses more often. Such deficiencies may also raise the risk of developing chronic diseases and other issues that diminish one’s quality of life, including:
- Anemia (a condition where patients have below-average red blood cell levels)
- Chronic fatigue
- Digestive problems
- Hair loss
- Skin rashes
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Nutrition has significant implications for knee health, as well. For example, in people with knee and joint pain, an anti-inflammatory diet can help ease discomfort. Chronic inflammation is a primary driver of tissue breakdown in knee arthritis and similar conditions. Medical research has found that in people who regularly eat an anti-inflammatory diet, there is a reduction in some of the substances associated with inflammation, such as C-reactive protein.
Several foods are part of an anti-inflammatory diet. These include:
- Healthy fats like fish oil
- Plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Fish and lean meats (93% lean ground beef, skinless chicken breasts, pork loin)
- Legumes
Mediterranean and DASH Diets
Traditional Western-style diets don’t typically include many foods with anti-inflammatory properties. Instead, they feature red and processed meats and other highly-processed foods. For patients who want to alter their diets to reduce inflammation and experience less joint pain, here are two approaches to consider:
The Mediterranean Diet
This diet focuses on foods traditionally eaten in the countries around the Mediterranean Sea. It does not have strict requirements, instead providing patients with guidelines for achieving healthier dietary habits. In addition to helping reduce inflammation, the Mediterranean diet can empower better heart health, aid with cancer prevention, and decrease the risk for obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
The DASH Diet
DASH is an acronym for dietary approaches to stop hypertension. This diet is low in salt and high in calcium, fiber, magnesium, and potassium-rich foods and helps reduce high blood pressure. The DASH diet also encourages a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise daily most days and weeks and asks participants to limit their intake of alcohol, sweets, sugary beverages, and foods high in saturated fats.
Nutrition Services at Reflex Knee Specialists
At Reflex Knee Specialists, nutrition services revolve around educating patients about the importance of maintaining a diet low in inflammatory foods. Our providers help patients better understand the importance of incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods into their diet and which foods to avoid to manage better overall joint health.
Dietary Supplements
Based on the patient’s symptoms and underlying cause of knee pain, our providers may also recommend dietary supplements to enhance overall joint health. These supplements may include vitamins intended to improve joint function, protect bone health, and boost long-term wellness.
Specific supplements for knee pain our providers may recommend include:
- Anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)
- Calcium
- Glucosamine chondroitin
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
- Vitamin D3
In addition to giving patients resources to help them eat healthier diets, we also educate patients on proper exercise to limit the chance of injury. Exercise education is particularly helpful for those who lead physically active lifestyles, like athletes.
Learn More About Nutrition for Knee Pain and Joint Supplements
If you suffer from knee pain that hinders your activities and limits your daily life, altering your diet is an important part of your treatament plan to promote joint health and function. The team at Reflex Knee Specialists is dedicated to helping patients be aware of the many non-surgical treatments that are available for their specific condition.
Beyond nutritional education, our providers also offer a range of innovative knee therapies to treat various knee conditions. We use advanced technologies to help accurately diagnose knee-related issues and recommend the most effective treatment options. Patients can seek care at our locations in Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; and Tempe, Arizona. For more information about nutrition and joint supplements and to book a comprehensive knee evaluation, contact us or call 503-719-6783.
