Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet Plan

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic medical problem, characterized by inflammation of the synovial joints. This type of arthritis is more common in women, who are in the age group 40-60, than men. Also, rheumatoid arthritis in children does occurs, but very rarely. Identified as an autoimmune disease, there is no therapeutic cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Hence, patients living with this condition should strictly follow rheumatoid arthritis diet plan, perform exercise and make necessary lifestyle changes, as indicated by medical specialist.

Diet Plan for Rheumatoid Arthritis

In rheumatoid arthritis, the lining (synovium) of the joints is affected, resulting in joint pain and swelling. With due course of time, the ligament, cartilage, and bone in the area are degraded slowly. Though the primary target remains the joints, it also affects the remaining bodily tissues and organs. Hence, it is considered as a systemic disease. The treatment approach for rheumatoid arthritis is to slow down joint damage and reduce painful signs. Rheumatoid arthritis pain relief involves medication along with self-care tips for managing the symptoms. Following is a useful guideline regarding rheumatoid arthritis diet plan:

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet Plan: Healthy Food
Healthy food items for rheumatoid arthritis patients are those that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients in large amounts. The omega-3 essential fatty acid found in some vegetable oils and fish oils is anti-inflammatory in nature. Food items containing antioxidants are also included in arthritis diet. The antioxidants help in fighting against the negative effects of free radicals, thus reducing damage of cells. Food items to be included in the rheumatoid arthritis diet plan are as follows:

• Salmon oil
• Soybeans and soybean oil
• Canola oil and margarine
• Walnuts and oil of the same
• Fresh avocado and avocado oil
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Whole-grain cereals
• Fresh and dried pulses
• Tofu (good protein source)
• Fresh fruits (preferably apple and citrus fruits)
• Fruit juices
• Fresh green vegetables
• Vegetables rich in calcium
• Skimmed or low-fat milk
• Low fat cheese
• Raw food items
• Brown rice and its products
• Fish that contain omega-3 fatty acid
• Eggs and chicken meat

Some anti-inflammatory herbs are believed to help in treatment of arthritis. Such herbs for rheumatoid arthritis diet include garlic, ginger and turmeric. Apple is also an anti-inflammatory fruit that can be consumed as fresh slices or in juice form. For children diagnosed with this systemic disease, following juvenile rheumatoid arthritis diet will help in managing the painful symptoms and coping up with the condition.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet Plan: Food to Avoid
Some food items are known to aggravate painful symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Modern-day diet consists more of refined ingredients, which are high in fat and low in healthy nutrients. Considering this, reducing processed food is another approach in deciding the diet plan for rheumatoid arthritis. According to nutritionists, food items that should be avoided in the rheumatoid arthritis diet plan are:

• Food prepared with white flour
• Food made with refined wheat
• Beverages or goodies containing white sugar
• Milk and related dairy products
• Vegetables containing vitamin C
• Beef and pork
• Berries
• Excess salts
• All type of saturated fats
• Grilled and fried food
• Coffee and caffeinated drinks
• Alcoholic beverages

Besides following rheumatoid arthritis diet plan, the patient needs to adopt healthy lifestyle habits for arthritis treatment. Indulging in breathing and relaxation exercises for at least 20 minutes every day is a must for people diagnosed with this chronic disease. As a concluding note, provide essential nutrients to remain energetic and perform physical activities to restore normal functioning of the body parts. Collectively, they will help in combating the adverse effects of rheumatoid arthritis and improving the quality of life in patients.