There is much debate about how diet affects the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. One current of thought suggests that each sufferer should identify the particular foods that trigger her symptoms and eliminate them from her diet. A 2007 study conducted by Dr. H. McIlwain showed that 30 to 40 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients benefited from eliminating foods they suspect to trigger their symptoms. Even if you have not identified any trigger foods for your symptoms, there are some general dietary steps you can take that may reduce the joint pain and inflammation associated with your rheumatoid arthritis.
Step 1
Eat moderately, count calories and consume only lean, healthy foods to keep your weight down; or lose weight if you need to. According to Dr. Chang-Miller of the Mayo Clinic, carrying extra weight increases joint pain, inflammation and stiffness in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Step 2
Eliminate solid fats from your diet. Avoid foods that contain butter, lard, shortening and animal fats that are solid at room temperature, such as those contained in bacon and steak. According to WebMD, such fats have been shown to increase inflammation in the body.
Step 3
Increase your consumption of foods with omega-3 fatty acids. These acids contain chemicals called eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid that reduce inflammation. Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include cold-water fish such as trout, salmon and tuna; and plants foods such as tofu, soybean products, flaxseed oil, canola oil and walnuts.
Step 4
Consume daily vitamin and mineral supplements that include folic acid, selenium, vitamin D and calcium. Folic acid, or folate, helps control the side effects of methodextrate, a common drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. People with rheumatoid arthritis generally have lower levels of selenium, an antioxidant, in their blood. Vitamin D and calcium decreases the risk of bone loss, which is higher in people with rheumatoid arthritis. The quantities of these vitamins and minerals you should take depends on other aspects of your diet and what medications you are on. Consult your doctor for help determining how much of each vitamin and mineral you should get through supplementation.
Tips and Warnings
- Rheumatoid arthritis occurs at a lower rate throughout the Mediterranean region of the world, where people generally live on fruits, vegetables, legumes, olive oil and fatty fish. Some have attributed this to diet, so you might try to adhere to a Mediterranean diet to see how that affects your symptoms.
- Consult your doctor before taking herbal, vitamin and mineral supplements to make sure they will not interfere with your medications.
