Diet therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a painful condition caused by the swelling and inflammation of the joints. Joints of these patients become stiff and disable patient’s movement and mobility.

RA is an immune system problem. It is caused by the mistake in immune system, which attacks its own joint tissue and cause inflammation and pain.

Eat More

Omega 3 fatty acids are good for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. These fatty acids can be found in foods such as fish and fish oil supplements. Tuna, mackerel, sardines and other cold water sea fishes are rich in omega 3 fatty acids and they will be beneficial for RA patients. Wheat products without gluten are also advisable.

It’s always good to eat more fruits and vegetables, especially, those that are rich in vitamin A. Green leafy vegetables might relieve inflammation. Some fruits and juices like pineapple, tart cherry and apple juices also have anti-inflammatory properties. Other fruits are also high in anti-inflammatory content: kiwi, peaches, papaya, mango, etc.

Try to use more herbs when preparing everyday meals, because some of them have been known for centuries to have anti-inflammatory properties. You can always add some turmeric, garlic or ginger to your food. Any of these herbs will be beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis and will help you relieve some pain and discomfort.

Eat Less or Avoid

Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are advised to lead a healthy life style, avoid meat, chips, roasted chicken, fast food and other sources of fat. Fast food contains plenty of saturated fats and must be avoided in people suffering from RA. If consummated, these foods might worsen the current medical situation.

These patients are advised to avoid the food which contains omega 6 fatty acids and night shade vegetables. Omega 6 fatty acids may also provoke further joint damage and therefore should be avoided. One of these omega 6 acids is arachidonic acid, present in poultry, red meat and egg yolks. These products should be avoided, since they might worsen RA symptoms.

Some plants that mature during night time aren’t good for rheumatoid arthritis patients. These include: eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes, products which can increase the pain in RA patients.

Besides the proper eating, rheumatoid arthritis patients are advised to exercise regularly, in accordance with their condition. If you stick to the proper diet and use the medications for your conditions, you should be able to control your medical condition.