Focus on food: Dietary strategies for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

We see a lot of patients with arthritic changes in their joints but one particular group of patients, patients with rheumatoid arthritis, could benefit from certain changes in their diets. Certain foods aggravate the inflammation in the body and also the joints. Here are five dietary strategies that may help rheumatoid arthritis patients.

1) Vegetarian diet:
Some studies show that vegetarian diets reduce inflammation, while diets based on meat and animal products worsens inflammation including joint inflammation. There is evidence to show that rheumatoid arthritis improves with a  vegetarian diet for many patients. Note that vegetarian diet in this context means a healthy diet that focuses on fruits and vegetables.

2) Take Your Probiotic
Some studies show patients with rheumatoid arthritis also appear to have high levels of some negative gastrointestinal species of bacteria. It appears that these species grow unchecked when there are a lot of foods from animals in the diet. Adding in a probiotic reduces the negative bacterial species overgrowth.

3) Foods to increase
Fruits
Legumes
Vegetables
Nuts
Fish oil

4) Foods to reduce
Meat
Alcoholic beverages
Milk
Eggs
Additives and preservatives
Sugar
Gluten containing products

5) Raw fruits and vegetables contain enzymes and phytochemicals that help to reduce inflammation

When starting any diet please do discuss with your health care provider and if you have questions or concerns please do come in to see us in office.

Regards in health,
Dr. Shepherd