Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet Therapy

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) refers to a condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints. It is typically marked by joint stiffness, which impairs mobility. As we all know, a joint is a point of contact between two bones. Unlike other forms of arthritis, RA does not occur due to deterioration of bones. This type of arthritis is regarded as the body's response to immune system attack. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system invades the tissues of joints, resulting in pain and inflammation. The first line of treatment for this form of arthritis involves medicines to suppress the pain as well as following a RA diet therapy.

Avoid Foods High in Omega 6 Fatty Acids
Arachidonic acid is one of the omega 6 fatty acids and is known to promote inflammatory activity. So, people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis simply cannot afford to eat foods containing arachidonic acid, as they can aggravate the joint inflammation. Staying away from foods rich in arachidonic acid is essential to manage RA effectively. Milk and dairy products (cheese and yogurt) are all important sources of arachidonic acids. Red meat (pork), beef as well as poultry products (chicken) and egg yolks are all high in arachidonic acids and therefore their consumption would definitely worsen RA symptoms.

Avoid Night Shade Vegetables
There are plants that mature only during nighttime, hence they are known as night shade plants. Doctors are of the firm opinion that foods that are obtained from plants belonging to the night shade family, can increase pain and inflammation associated with RA. Potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant come under night shade group and hence have to be excluded from the diet.

Foods loaded with saturated fats that include fast foods (burgers, pizzas, chicken nuggets) are excluded from this diet. This is because they are considered to be inflammatory foods and so their inclusion in the diet would make matters worse. Processed foods such as fried chicken and chips contain a high amount of fats and so RA patients should not even mistakenly consume these food items.

Eat Foods High in Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Looking for foodstuffs hat could help alleviate joint inflammation? Research shows that foods rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids can assist to provide relief from rheumatoid arthritis patients. Salmon, tuna and mackerel are all cold water fish and contain omega 3 essential fatty acids in ample amounts. So, including them in the diet can certainly help to decrease RA pain. Fish oil supplements too can contribute to improve the quality of life of RA patients. One can add wheat products in the diet but make sure they are gluten-free.

Include Herbs in Diet
There are certain herbs that have excellent anti-inflammatory properties. Addition of these herbs to the diet is an effective home remedy to reduce joint inflammation. Studies show that recipes containing garlic, turmeric and ginger are not only healthy but can improve the functionality of the affected joints.

Have Plenty of Vegetables and Fruits
Treating joint inflammation with RA diet cure also involves eating fruits and vegetables high in vitamin A. Having green leafy vegetables such as spinach, Brussels sprouts, squash and broccoli can benefit to bring down inflammation. Apple and pineapple juices are loaded with anti-inflammatory agents and so drinking them would assist to alleviate discomfort of RA patients. Taking juice of tart cherries is an age-old remedy to successfully treat rheumatoid arthritis. Eating mangoes, peaches, kiwi and papaya is also a good option as they are rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients.

Keep in mind that people suffering from RA can still lead a normal life but for that one has to take the prescription medication regularly, incorporate a low impact exercise routine into the daily schedule and most importantly follow the aforementioned diet religiously.