Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body's joints causing pain, inflammation and permanent damage to the cartilage and bone. According to Harvard Health Publications, it is one of about 100 types of arthritis afflicting Americans. Certain foods contribute to the degree of arthritis pain experienced by many people. By adding certain foods with medicinal properties to your diet, you may be able to reverse some of the effects of your disease. Consult your health practitioner before using foods to treat serious disease.
Turmeric
Turmeric is both an herb and a spice and is used heavily in Ayurvedic medicine as well as Indian and Asian cooking. The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, helps reduce inflammation in the joints and relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis like swelling, pain and stiffness, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. There are several ways to benefit from turmeric's medicinal properties, such as using it in cooking as seasoning and taking prepared supplements. If you use turmeric supplements, consult your health practitioner before doing so. Turmeric can thin the blood and if you take blood-thinning medicines it can be dangerous. Your practitioner will give you guidelines for use and dosage.
Pineapple
Pineapples provide an enzyme called bromelain, which is effective in reducing pain, stiffness, inflammation and swelling in cases of joint disease including rheumatoid arthritis, according to UMMC. To benefit from the healing properties of bromelain, include fresh pineapple and freshly squeezed pineapple juice in your diet daily, if possible. Bromelain does not maintain its potency after being heated, so canned and bottled pineapple products will not give you the same degree of relief. Bromelain is also available as a supplement. It is most effective for reducing joint pain when taken between meals on an empty stomach. Research indicates that taking bromelain together with turmeric increases the efficacy of both products, according to "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies." As with turmeric, bromelain can thin the blood, so those taking blood thinners should consult your doctor before using either of these products.
Tart Cherries
According to the University of Michigan Health System, research has shown that adding cherries or tart cherry juice to your diet every day will help reduce the inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis. People who ate about 8 oz. of cherries daily for four or more weeks reported a significant decrease in their pain levels from arthritis and other joint diseases, according to the University of Michigan Health System. You can eat cherries fresh, canned, stewed, sweet or tart, as long as you consume about 1/2 lb. or 20 cherries daily. If you prefer drinking cherry juice, use only unsweetened or concentrate and mix it in a ratio of one part juice to one part water, suggests "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies." Drink two glasses daily during an acute arthritis attack and drop down to one glass daily for maintenance.
Alkaline Fruits and Vegetables
Anecdotal evidence points to the promising effects of an alkaline-forming diet to reduce inflammation for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis as well as from other forms of arthritis and gout, according to "The Acid Alkaline Balance" by Felicia Drury Kliment. A diet high in alkaline foods may help reduce acidosis in the blood, the cause of much inflammation and pain, according to Kliment. Most fruits and vegetables are alkaline as long as you consume them raw. To benefit from the healthful properties of fresh fruits and vegetables, eat additional portions daily or buy a juicer and make fresh juices. Juices provide all the nutrients and enzymes contained in the foods, and juicing allows you to consume a greater quantity than you would be able to do by eating them whole.
References
- Harvard Medical School: Arthritis--Keeping Your Joints Healthy
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gout--Lifestyle Changes
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon MS and Sifu Teresa Graedon; 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Low Back Pain
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Turmeric
- University of Michigan Health System: Gout
