Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an inflammatory disorder that affects tissue throughout the body. The main problem in RA appears to be the presence and activity of inflammatory cells in bodily tissues and joints, says Penny Kendall-Reed, N.D., in her book "Healing Arthritis."
Dairy, Meat and Inflammation
Kendall-Reed says there are certain foods that can directly increase or decrease the pain and inflammation associated with RA. Dairy and other animal products, especially red meat, tend to raise the production of inflammatory substances such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes in the body, and their consumption may worsen RA in certain sensitive individuals. Kendall-Reed adds that oftentimes people will be sensitive only to certain animal products.
Follow an Animal Elimination Diet
To find out if you are sensitive to animal products, and if you are, to pinpoint which ones are causing your RA symptoms, Kendall-Reed recommends eliminating all animal products for two weeks, including eggs, chicken, dairy, red meat, pork and lamb. According to Elson Haas, in his book "Staying Healthy With Nutrition," eggs commonly cause migraines, congestion and skin problems such as eczema; and dairy often causes hay fever, migraines and cerebral issues such as energy and emotional problems. The website Health Guidance notes that meat allergies may cause gastrointestinal issues, hives and joint pain, and chicken in particular may cause sinusitis. After two weeks of eliminating these foods, you should choose one food type to reintroduce a day and monitor your body for these symptoms. If no symptoms are present or aggravated, then that animal product is considered to be non-problematic for you. Reintroduce another food item the following day and watch for any adverse reactions. If a product does cause symptoms, take note and remove it from your diet for a few months, at which point you can experiment with introducing it again.
Eat Histidine-Containing Foods
Balch recommends in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" eating foods that contain the amino acid histidine. She explains that histidine helps to remove heavy metals from the body, which are known to aggravate arthritic symptoms. The richest sources of histidine are brown rice, wheat and rye. According to Balch, other beneficial foods for RA include fresh vegetables, especially the leafy green ones, non-acidic fruit, whole grains, oatmeal, fish and avocados.
Take Fish Oil
Some supplements may also be beneficial for the treatment of RA, but you should consult with your health care practitioner before taking them. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, fish oil contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which the body uses to reduce inflammation. NCCAM recommends eating herring, mackerel, salmon and tuna two times a week for the omega-3s that they supply. You can also take fish oil supplements, and NCCAM reports that taking them daily can help to relieve tender joints and morning stiffness. Although more research still needs to be done, studies suggest that fish oil supplements may also reduce the need for NSAID drugs and other conventional RA medicines, states NCCAM.
Supplement With GLA
Gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA, is an omega-6 fatty acid that may also help to ease your symptoms by suppressing the production of prostaglandins that trigger inflammation, says Balch. Borage seed oil and evening primrose oil supplements both contain GLA and may therefore be beneficial. The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition recommends taking 500 mg three times daily with food.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
- "Pathology and Nutrition"; The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition; 2008
- : "Healing Arthritis"; Penny Kendall-Reed, N.D.; 2004
- "Rheumatoid Arthritis and CAM"; National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; October 2010
- "Staying Healthy With Nutrition"; Elson Haas, M.D.; 2006
- Health Guidance; "An Eagle's Eye View Of Chicken Allergy"; Charlene Nubel; 2005
