If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, you
know how painful and debilitating it can be. If you haven’t
walked a mile in those shoes, you can’t imagine how frustrating
it can be. Your doctor may say try this medication, try that.
Don’t do this, do that. But sometimes, to no avail. The disease
is caused by a misguided immune system attack on the body’s own
joint tissue, which leads to swelling, pain, stiffness and in
some cases deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common among
women than men.
Perhaps what you’re eating, or more specifically what you’re not
eating can be causing some of your soreness. Recent findings
suggest that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, legumes and
certain oils aids in relieving symptoms in people with rheumatoid
arthritis. After following a diet rich in fruits and veggies for
three months, people with rheumatoid arthritis experienced a
number of improvements not seen in people following a typical
American diet high in processed foods. Some of the improvements
shown include a decrease in pain, inflammation, disease activity
and in the number of swollen joints. Further, previous research
suggested that more olive oil and cooked vegetables help protect
people from the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
The current results suggest that “patients with (rheumatoid
arthritis) can obtain better physical function and increase their
vitality” from eating a fruit, vegetables, legumes and some oils
diet for three months, write Dr. Lars Skoldstam of Visby Hospital
in Sweden and colleagues.
This plan is similar to that of people who live in the
Mediterranean. They also tend to eat a lot of fruit, vegetables,
and legumes, more fish and less red meat. Moreover, they drink a
moderate amount of wine, and rely on olive oil as their main
source of dietary fat. Earlier research has suggested that
followers of this diet enjoy a wide range of benefits, such as a
lower risk of heart disease, cancer and memory loss.
Additional studies have shown that citrus and zinc may also cut
rheumatoid arthritis risk. Citrus can be helpful because of the
antioxidants they contain. Findings are not conclusive, yet
promising.
In the study, the doctors found that women getting less than 40
micrograms of beta-cryptoxanthin, a component found in citrus
fruits such as oranges and grapefruit were at a somewhat elevated
danger of developing rheumatoid arthritis than women who consumed
more than that amount.
Although thus far it has only been proven that genetics is the
culprit behind rheumatoid arthritis, if there have been some
findings as to the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables,
wouldn’t it make sense for suffers to up their intake? It
certainly can’t hurt… and may actually help. Now please pass the
broccoli with a side of grapefruit!
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes
only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any
disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any
health care program.
