Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet
Since RA (rheumatoid arthritis) has no known
cause and currently no complete cure, all areas that could be
factors are being studied and diet is one of these areas. This has
been a controversial area as well with some regular physicians
believing that no definitive study has shown a link to arthritis and
diet while others see both value in some of the studies and in the
anecdotal reports of so many patients.
Many RA sufferers find that certain foods may
trigger flares and symptoms while some others seem to calm the
disease process. Current research is being done on the role of food
allergies and their potential to cause immune reactions and
inflammation in the body. Certain supplements have also been alleged
to cool off the RA disease process and may be of value.
The danger of diets and supplements is that
some people may abandon all traditional medical care hoping for an
“all natural cure” and as a result have progression of the disease
accompanied by damage and disability. Most traditional doctors are
open to experimenting with special diets as long as the conventional
medications and therapies are also in play.
One common type of diet is an elimination diet
that slowly introduces one food at a time a few days apart and
noting whether symptoms get worse or even better with a certain
food. This is tedious but could identify foods that are
troublemakers. Since good nutrition is important, and such diets are
at least at first deficient in certain nutrients, this should be
undertaken only under a doctor’s care.
Vegetarian diets have been found to reduce
symptoms when given to groups of RA patients. This is a relatively
simple way to alter the diet and is easier to make nutritious and
complete than more extreme diets. Some recommend avoiding processed
foods as well.
Another diet attracting attention is what is
called the “Paleo” or “stone age” diet. Some patients have seen
considerable improvement in RA when eating what our early ancestors
ate. This diet essentially avoids grains and dairy and consists of
fruits, vegetables, meats and fish. It may be hard to get enough
calcium in such diets, so expert advice from a dietician is helpful.
Another type of diet that can help in some RA
patients is a low calorie diet for weight loss. While some RA
patients experience weight loss as a consequence of the disease,
some patients are actually overweight or obese. Extra pounds mean
more stress on weight bearing joints, so achieving a more normal
weight makes a big difference in quality of life. This too should be
under medical supervision. Patients who have lost a great deal of
weight may also require special diets and supplements.
A dietary addition many have found helpful is
the use of fish oils. These oils as well as flaxseed oil are sources
of Omega fatty acids which are known to be anti-inflammatory. They
also play a role in reducing heart disease risks. These oils can be
taken as supplements or flax and/or fatty fish can be added to the
diet.
While the role of diet as an arthritis cause or
treatment is still open to debate, it is an interesting avenue to
explore. In cooperation with a physician it may make life better for
at least some RA patients.
Resources
Mayo Clinic information about foods that may
reduce inflammation:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/AN00198
A list of links to sites about diet and RA:
Excellent About.com RA pages about diet:
arthritis.about.com/od/radiet/Rheumatoid_Arthritis_Diet.htm
An example of an RA diet:
www.ageless.co.za/free_rheumatoid_arthrists_diet.htm
Holistic site on the role of diet in RA: