Friday, April 27, 2012

Eating According To A Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet

By Raymond Smith


It is estimated that up to 75% of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) believe that the food they eat has an impact on the condition. There is no definitive scientific data to prove that certain foods can alleviate symptoms. Many people however, have found relief from their symptoms through a rheumatoid arthritis diet change.

It's well known that allergies to certain foods can make RA flare up. Some people use an elimination process; the removal and gradual reintroduction of possible allergens from the diet in order to see exactly which foods have an effect. Studies into this have found the results to be inconclusive, due to variations in individual's symptoms over time. That being said, if you are suffering from RA, it is well worth doing to see if you can effect an improvement.

Discomfort in the joints and inflammation is often attributed to reactions to specific foods. Dairy, citrus, wheat and gluten, and nightshade vegetables of the solanaceae family. Forgoing these particular foods is a wise step if you wish to test for yourself their effect on your symptoms.

An eating plan based around fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes, and olive oil has been confirmed in tests to relieve arthritic symptoms after being eaten consistently for a while. Reasons behind this remain a mystery, but the idea is obvious. Eat a healthier diet! There are no contraindications for a diet based on fresh healthy ingredients.

There are many studies linking a vegetarian or vegan diet with a lessened risk of arthritic symptoms. It has also been shown that such eating habits improve the presenting symptoms in those who currently have the condition. Doctors are hesitant to recommend these, as they know that patients will be resistant to drastic dietary changes, however the benefits for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are hard to ignore.

The inclusion of as much antioxidant rich food as feasible is vitally important. Good sources of powerful antioxidant chemicals are broad beans, cauliflower and carrots, leafy greens such as rocket and lettuce, as well as fruit such as blackberries, plums and watermelon. The antioxidant compounds in these foods protect the joints and surrounding tissue, providing a buffer against the damaging chemical compounds contained in the more unhealthy foods a patient may occasionally eat.

Supplementation with specific nutrients is a common recommendation in order to relieve joint damage and discomfort. Compounds found to be deficient in RA sufferers include Vitamin E, Selenium, and Folic Acid. Dietary deficiency is often the cause of this, but also pain relief drugs prescribed to patients can sometimes cause absorption problems.

When following a rheumatoid arthritis diet, adding pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, linseeds, or sunflower seeds will be beneficial, as they are a great source of the anti-inflammatory fat compounds required by the body to protect the joints. They can be eaten whole or added to cooked dishes easily. Implement at least some of the strategies mentioned here and you will see at least some improvement in your symptoms.




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