Mojtaba Kaviani, Ph.D., CEP
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its joints. Approximately 1 percent of all individuals across the world are affected by this chronic disease. As the incidence of RA increases at an alarming rate, new therapeutic methods have been developed to treat it. However, we still do not have a clear understanding of what causes rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, this field of research needs to gain more insight on how RA can be diagnosed earlier to prevent further damage to the joints.
Common Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Gastrointestinal tract issues, such as bloating, nausea, burning, belching, constipation, and diarrhea are commonly observed in patients with RA. Thus it appears that an altered intestinal microbiota is to some extent the cause of the subsequent development of an abnormal condition of RA. Recently, the Littman laboratory identified a significant prevalence of Prevotella copri in RA patients, when compared to healthy controls. This provides the support that the “gut-joint axis” hypothesis is relevant for human rheumatic diseases and may lead to pathogenesis of RA.
There have been several drugs recommended by doctors to treat RA. However, we still have no clear idea how they work! Therefore, rheumatologists need to begin to work on dietary intake modifications, due to the potential link between the gut and the joints.
Related Article: Get Active With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Effective Dietary Strategies for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Recommended Foods with Anti-Inflammatory Actions
Takeaways
- Consume meals including raw or moderately cooked vegetables. Make your plate green and colorful
- To spice it up, add turmeric and ginger
- Get antioxidants from seasonal fruits and probiotic yogurt
- Avoid refined/processed foods and salty foods
- Ensure that you take adequate vitamin D
Finally, I know this article has been all about RA and dietary intake strategies, but adding low-impact physical activity is always beneficial!
Related Article: High-Intensity Exercise with Rheumatoid Arthritis
References
Shweta et al. (2017). Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis with Dietary Interventions. Frontiers in Nutrition,4,52 DOI=10.3389/fnut.2017.00052
Vaghef-Mehrabany et al (2016). Effects of probiotic supplementation on oxidative stress indices in women with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. J Am Coll Nutr 35(4):291–9. doi:10.1080/07315724.2014.959208
Tedeschi SK, Costenbader KH (2016). Is there a role for diet in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis? Curr Rheumatol Rep,18(5):23. doi:10.1007/s11926-016-0575-yYou Might Like:
The Science of Temperature Therapy
Temperature therapy (also known as “thermal therapy” or “thermotherapy”) involves the use of heat or cold to improve health and function. Interestingly, thermotherapy has been around for centuries, with ancient cultures regularly using hot springs,...
The Predictors of Longevity You Need to Care About
Living a long and healthy life is a universal aspiration, and with the publication of Peter Aittia’s new book “Outlive”, it has never been a bigger focus. With this has come the realisation that, while...
How Overtraining and Undertraining Impacts Hormonal Health
While maintaining a healthy hormonal balance is essential for overall health and wellbeing, it is an often-overlooked component of women’s health. Hormones play a vital role in regulating various bodily functions, including metabolism, energy, mood,...
12 days of Fitness: 12 Holiday workouts to crush this Christmas
The holiday period is a time for friends, food, and family. With this in mind, it should be a time of guilt-free fun. However, that doesn’t mean you have to neglect your fitness entirely over...
Upper Body Strength in Post-Menopausal Women
Menopause is a unique time in the human life, and with it comes a myriad of changes that can have wide reaching health implications. However, over the last 20 years we have seen a strong...