If you’re living with Rheumatoid Joint Disease, you may have heard that a unique diet or certain foods can relieve your stress, stiffness, and fatigue. One day, food could be the drug of choice for people with arthritis and related inflammatory diseases. However, for now, here is data that may help you separate fact from fiction regarding rheumatoid arthritis nutrition.
diet
Eating certain foods or avoiding certain foods can support your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. However, according to Arthritis Base, there is no specific “diet for rheumatoid arthritis.” On the other hand, if you find that certain foods make your rheumatoid arthritis manifestations worse and others help your condition improve significantly, it makes sense to make some changes to your regime.
A recent study showed that 30 to 40 percent of people with this type of arthritis could benefit from cutting out “suspicious” foods spotted by an elimination diet. An elimination diet plan suggests that you eliminate suspected “trigger” foods from your daily diet. Then, over time, gradually reintroduce the suspect foods into your diet, noting for increased pain and swelling. For some people, cutting out foods that can cause discomfort and stiffness can help reduce arthritis symptoms.
How do fats affect rheumatoid arthritis?
Studies show that saturated fats can increase swelling in the body. Foods high in saturated fats, like animal products like bacon, steak, butter, and cream, can increase inflammatory chemicals in the body called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals that cause swelling, pain, swelling, and joint damage in arthritis.
Additionally, some studies have found that meat contains elevated levels of arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is a fatty acid that is converted into inflammatory prostaglandins in the body. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis find that a vegetarian diet helps reduce signs of pain and stiffness. Eating less meat and more vegetables is recommended for effective rheumatoid arthritis nutrition.
Omega 6 fatty acid
Omega-6 fatty acids are found in vegetable oils that contain linoleic acid. This group of cooking oils includes corn oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, wheat germ oil, and sesame oil. Studies show that an average European diet requires even more omega-6 fatty acids compared to omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are a polyunsaturated fat found in cold-water fish.
Consuming excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids can increase the risk of various diseases such as cancer and heart disease. It could also promote inflammatory or autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. On the other hand, eating far fewer omega-6s and extra omega-3s might reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of health problems. Therefore, a healthy diet for rheumatoid arthritis should include more foods rich in omega-3.
Thanks to Vendra Funporseno
