Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects the joints. More specifically, it is a disease that affects the autoimmune system and results in an inflammatory disorder that is both chronic and systemic and can affect many of the organs and tissues but mainly it presents in flexible joints.
This condition is extremely painful and debilitating. It can lead to a substantial loss of both mobility and function if it is not treated adequately.
Some of the symptoms of RA are tings like stiffness and possibly swelling in the joints, bone crinkling, pain and fatigue.
It is thought that there are certain foods which provide nutrients and can help with reducing inflammation that are good for RA patients while other foods may make the symptoms worse.
While an RA diet may help you, it is always essential that you discuss any dietary changes with your physician before implementing them.
Cold Water Fish
Cold water fish tend to be high in Omega 3 fatty acids that are essential. These fish include but are not limited to salmon, herring, mackerel, trout, sardines and tuna.
These Omega 3s have been found to produce an effect that is anti-inflammatory on the body and if the swelling goes down, the pain tends to follow in reducing. It is recommended to RA patients that this type of fish is included in the diet on a regular basis.
There are also supplements of fish oils that have these Omega 3s in them but since any supplements may interact with prescribed medication, it is always recommended that a physician is consulted before starting a supplement regimine.
Sulfer, Wheatgrass Juice and Cherries
Foods that contain sulfer are needed by the body in order to facilitate rebuilding and repair of connective tissue, cartilage and bones.
Sulfer also assists the body in the absorption of calcium. Sulfer conatining foods are ones such as eggs, asparagus, onions and garlic.
Red tart cherries have also been noted as relieving pain and inflammation and some studies suggest eating 20 of them (frozen or fresh) daily.
Wheatgrass juice and barley as both very high in nutrients. These nutrients help in reduction of inflammation as well as promoting detoxification. It is recommended that you should drink 1 of these juices on a daily basis.
Additional Foods to Emphasize
Fresh vegetables (especially leafy green ones) are rich in vitamin K which is essential for depositing minerals into the bones.
Other foods that may assist with the symptoms of RA are foods like fruits that are non-acidic, oatmeal, whole grains, soybean products, brown rice and avocados.
Also, foods that contain histidine (an amino acid) like wheat, rice and rye can also assist in alleviating the symptoms of RA.
Many people who suffer from RA have an excess of different metals in the body. Histidines assist in the removal of metals and may also help by building connective tissue and joints.
Nightshade Vegetables
Most of the evidence for nightshade vegetables is from patient accounts and not from actual medical studies. However, many RA patients report that they see an improvement in their symptoms when they remove these from their diets.
In case you are in the dark about what exactly a nightshade vegetable is, they include things like tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, paprika, cayenne and even tobacco.
The reason that these food choices are bad for people who suffer from RA is because they contain something called solanine. Many people are highly sensitive to this…especially arthritis sufferers.
Solanine can interfere with the activity of the enzymes in muscles which in turn can cause discomfort and pain. If you think that this may be adding to your pain and discomfort give it a test.
Stop eating these foods for two months. If your symptoms lessen or disappear entirely then you will know that you have a sensitivity to them.
When you were a kid you may remember the saying, “You are what you eat”. It turns out, that saying has quite a bit more truth to it than what you may think.
Now that you know the foods that are beneficial and the ones that may be detrimental, if you think that changing your diet can help you with your symptoms then you seriously need to have a sit down with your doctor and discuss what changes should be made and how any changes may interfere with any of your medications.
If you want to include more of the sulfuric foods then you may want to ask him about over the counter gas pills too.