Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane, or lining, of the joints. This condition not only causes discomfort but can also lead to loss of function and disability. For reasons that remain unclear, people with RA are more prone to heart and bone disease than people without the condition. If you have on rheumatoid arthritis, knowing some relevant nutrition information can help you follow a food plan that improves your overall health and decreases your risk of developing heart and bone disease.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA can cause extreme discomfort. It produces severe joint pain, swelling and tenderness and redness in your joints. In some cases, it can cause nodules that may even deform your joints. Other symptoms include fatigue and fever, which can result in weight loss.
High-Calcium Foods
If you have RA, you are more prone to osteoporosis, bone erosion and osteomalacia, a disease in which bones lose calcium and become weak. Dietary choices can help maintain and improve bone health. Choose foods that are high in calcium to strengthen your bones. High-calcium foods include milk and other dairy products like cheese, yogurt and cream, wheat flour cereals, collard greens, spinach, soy beans, potatoes, turnips, rhubarb and fish such as sardines or Atlantic salmon.
Saturated Fats
Rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease may have a common origin, and the overall inflammation characteristic of RA might also promote heart disease. If you have RA, you should do your best to reduce this risk. One way to manage your risk is through diet. A study published in the "Journal of Clinical Nutrition" shows that saturated fats may increase inflammation in your body. Foods that contain saturated fats include bacon, steak, butter and other animal-based foods. These fats increase chemicals in the body called prostaglandins, which cause inflammation, pain, swelling and joint damage in people with RA. Avoiding saturated fats can help you decrease inflammation and protect you against the risk of heart disease.
Other Lifestyle Changes
Make sure you exercise regularly if you have RA. Exercise can strengthen muscles and joints and reduce overall pain by releasing endorphins. Bone thinning is a complication of RA, especially if your physician has prescribed corticosteroids. Exercise can help strengthen your bones and reduce bone thinning. Exercise also improves your total functional ability and allows you to do more for yourself.
References
- Arthritis Foundation: Rheumatoid Arthritis
- American Dietetic Association: Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Mayo Clinic: Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- "Arthritis and Rheumatism": Increased Unrecognized Coronary Heart Disease and Sudden Deaths in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Population-Based Cohort Study; Hilal Maradit-Kremers, et al.; February 2005
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Dietary Intake of Trans Fatty Acids and Systemic Inflammation in Women; Dariush Mozaffarian, et al.; April 2004
