Slow Your Rheumatoid Arthritis With The Right Diet

It’s no secret, rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, can be a real pain. This debilitating condition occurs when our own body’s immune system goes on the attack, on our own joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, affects around 1.2 million Americans. Most people with RA are diagnosed between the ages of 30 to 60 years old. The disease is chronic and gets progressively worse over time.

People with RA often experience periods of remission, and flares – where the effects of the disease become more intense.

Diet can go a long way towards slowing the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Here, we go over some of the ways you should adjust your diet if you are an RA sufferer.

Slow Your Rheumatoid Arthritis With The Right Diet Adult Day Care Center Brooklyn

You are what you eat

There’s an old adage which states that we are what we eat. This means that if we eat good, healthful food, we too will feel good. There is a lot of wisdom in this centuries-old statement and it’s been proven time and again to hold true.

Most of us know that we should eat a balanced, nutritious diet. But did you know that certain foods can go a long way towards combating rheumatoid arthritis? Let’s take a look at some of the food you should avoid if you are an RA sufferer. We’ll also look at some of the foods that act as your allies in the fight against the condition.

Foods to avoid

The following types of food may cause further inflammation and make the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis worse:

Refined flours and sugar

Simple carbohydrates such as those found in refined flours and sugar can cause spikes in your body’s blood sugar levels. These spikes encourage your body to make cytokines and these chemicals can worsen RA symptoms.

Another issue with simple carbs is that they make it easy for us to gain weight if we eat too many of them. Weighing more than we should puts strain on our joints. And extra strain on our joints is much harder to cope with if we have rheumatoid arthritis.

Red meats

High levels of saturated fats in red meat make this food a poor choice for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. The fats contained in red meat may add to inflammation levels if we consume too much of it.

If you’re unwilling to completely cut out steak and the like, consider substantially minimizing the amount that you do eat. And make sure that you choose the leanest cuts. Lean red meat does still have benefits including a good amount of protein per serving.

Fried food

Inflammation levels in our bodies can be reduced by simply saying goodbye to all fried foods. Not only do your favorite deep-fried treats encourage obesity, they may also increase oxidation in our cells.

Alcohol

Alcohol is an interesting one when it comes to rheumatoid arthritis. Some studies show that moderate amounts (around 3 drinks per week) may actually slow the progression of RA.

But overindulging is definitely a bad idea. Doing so causes a leap in the amount of C-reactive protein in our bodies. This protein does lead to increased inflammation levels, making it an RA agitator.

Excessive salt

A little bit of salt to season your meals isn’t a terrible thing, but too much salt is. The corticosteroids, which many people with rheumatoid arthritis take to control the disease, cause sodium retention.

It’s not just a sprinkle of salt on your meals that’s at issue here, it’s the high sodium levels in many foods. Be sure to check the nutritional labels carefully and try to limit your sodium intake to 1,600 mg per day.

Foods to eat to slow rheumatoid arthritis

While there is no cure for RA, eating right can make a world of difference to the way you feel and the intensity of your symptoms.

Some foods contribute to a healthy body and have a specific effect on RA. These inflammation-fighting food choices are:

Oily cold-water fish

Cold water fish contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids. And these omega-3 acids have a lot of anti-inflammatory properties, great news for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Look for mackerel, trout, salmon, and tuna. If these fish aren’t an option for you, look into talking a fish oil supplement daily.

Olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil also has proven anti-inflammatory properties. The oil contains oleocanthal a powerful tool in fighting inflammation.

While you’d have to take a lot to get the same effect as a drug like ibuprofen, this oil is a good choice for meal preparation. Simply swap your regular cooking oils and salad dressings for olive oil.

Fiber from fruit and vegetables

Adding more fiber to your diet acts to lower the C-reactive proteins (CPR) in your body. Lowered CPR levels mean less inflammation and, as a result, less rheumatoid arthritis pain.

The “Mediterranean diet”

Many people with RA report a reduction of pain and inflammation when they follow the Mediterranean diet. Named after the coastal regions of Greece, Italy, and Spain, this diet prioritizes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and legumes.

When you’re planning your new diet to combat rheumatoid arthritis, follow the above suggestions. To make sure that your diet is balanced and healthful, you can aim towards this basic guideline:

  • Two-thirds of your diet should be made up of fruits, vegetables, and complex carbs – such as whole grains.
  • One-third of your diet should be made up of low fat dairy and lean proteins.

Smoking and rheumatoid arthritis

While cigarettes aren’t a food, they are a lifestyle habit with a significant impact on RA. Smokers are less likely to experience remission from their arthritis symptoms than non-smokers are. Plus, smokers are at a greater risk of developing severe RA.

If you’re a smoker and also have RA, talk to your doctor about options for quitting. Your joints and body will thank you for it.

Here at Fairview Adult Day Care in Brooklyn, we are very conscious of the quality of the meals we serve. Our food options are always balanced and healthy. We also serve a lot of vegetables and fruits with every meal. In fact, our menu features the perfect diet to help combat and slow rheumatoid arthritis.

This article is for educational and informational purpose only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. For any questions about your own health condition, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.