Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease where your immune system attacks your joints. This can cause severe pain, stiffness and swelling in many of the joints of your body. You may have heard that changing your diet can help ease some of these symptoms.
Many people who were studied have found that by eliminating certain foods from their diet, their symptoms have eased dramatically. This form of diet, or elimination diet, takes out certain items you are consuming and then gradually adding them back in to see which is causing the pain and inflammation to recur. Most foods that are eliminated are those with high percentages of saturated fats, such as bacon, steak, butter and cream. These high saturated fat foods increase the amount of inflammation chemicals called Prostaglandins. These prostaglandins have been known to cause pain, inflammation and joint destruction in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Other studies have shown that meat contains arachidonic acids. Arachidonic acids can change to inflammatory prostaglandins in the body. Some people who have changed to a vegetarian diet have found their RA symptoms have all but disappeared while others have no change at all. Another problematic fatty acid is Omega-6. Omega-6 is found in vegetable oils contains linoleic acid. A normal Americanized diet contains more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids that can be found in fish.
If you remove the foods that contain these prostaglandins, arachidonic acids and omega-6 fatty acids and add in more fish, nuts, flaxseed oils and canola oils, you can diminish the amount of swelling and achiness you have from RA. Another option is to take Omega-3 supplements, which has the same benefits as eating foods high in Omega-3s.
Studies suggest that a Mediterranean diet or a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and Vitamin C can possibly lower the risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis. We know that RA is not as severe in Greece and Italy. Those countries main diet consists of huge amounts of fruits, vegetables, olive oil and fatty fish that are high in omega-3s. This diet may even protect you from getting a severe case of RA.
If you are presently taking Methotrexate, eating a diet or taking a supplement with folic acid may ease some of the side effects of the medication. Another supplement that you may consider taking is Selenium. Selenium has been found to be lowered in people who suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis. By eating a 3.5 ounce can of tuna fish, you can give you your full day’s requirement of Selenium. Calcium and Vitamin D are also important parts of your RA diet, especially if you take prednisone. Prednisone has been linked to bone loss, so check with your doctor to see how much Vitamin D and calcium you need to take in to counter act losing more bone.
Drinking alcohol in moderation and losing weight has also been linked to lowering your chances of getting Rheumatoid Arthritis. If you are taking Methotrexate however, consult with your physician about drinking alcohol and the effects of liver damage from the methotrexate. Weight loss has also been known to help your RA symptoms. By reducing the stress you put on your weight-bearing joints and heart, you can alleviate many of the symptoms.
Alexis has been living with Rheumatoid Arthritis for nearly 20 years, and she runs a website for Rheumatoid Arthritis diet information and methods of relief. Her aim is to help other cope with the pain of the disease and live a normal life. To learn more, take a look at www.livingwithrheumatoid.com