Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that mainly affects the synovial joints and causes symptoms such as stiffness, bone crinkling, swelling, fatigue and sometimes crippling pain. Certain foods may help RA sufferers by providing essential nutrients and/or reducing inflammation, while others may worsen arthritis symptoms. An RA diet may, therefore, be beneficial to RA sufferers, but you should consult with your health-care practitioner before making any drastic dietary changes.
Cold-Water Fish
Cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, trout and tuna are high in omega-3 essential fatty acids. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM), a number of studies have found that omega-3s produce an anti-inflammatory effect on the body and may help to relieve joint pain in RA sufferers. As such, UMM recommends consuming these fish regularly. Alternatively, you can take a fish oil supplement, but UMM warns that supplements can interact with medications and you should talk to your doctor first (see reference 3).
Sulfur, Cherries and Wheatgrass Juice
In her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," Phyllis Balch recommends eating more sulfur-containing foods such as asparagus, eggs, garlic and onions, noting that sulfur is needed for the repair and rebuilding of bone, cartilage and connective tissue, and it also aids in the absorption of calcium. Anecdotal evidence suggests that red tart cherries may also be helpful, and some sufferers have found that eating them helps to relieve inflammation and pain. Balch, therefore, recommends eating 20 fresh or frozen cherries daily. The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) notes that barley and wheatgrass juice are nutrient dense, help reduce inflammation and they promote detoxification. As such, the school recommends consuming one of these juices, daily on an empty stomach.
Other Foods to Emphasize
Author Balch also encourages eating fresh vegetables, especially leafy green vegetables, because they contain vitamin K and vitamin K helps to deposit important minerals into the bones. Other nutritional foods that Balch recommends for the reduction of arthritis symptoms include non-acidic fruits, whole grains, oatmeal, brown rice, soybean products and avocados. Foods that contain the amino acid histidine such as rice, wheat and rye may also be helpful. Balch explains that many people with arthritis have excess metals in their bodies and histidine helps remove these aggravating metals. In addition, histidine may aid in building joints and connective tissue.
Consider Eliminating Nightshade Vegetables
Although evidence is mainly anecdotal, many sufferers have reported an improvement in symptoms when they eliminated the nightshade vegetables form their diet, notes author Balch. Nightshade vegetables include peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, cayenne, paprika, tobacco and potatoes. Balch states that they are problematic to RA sufferers because they contain a substance called solanine, to which some people, particularly those suffering form arthritis, are highly sensitive. Solanine may interfere with enzyme activity in the muscles and this interference may cause pain and discomfort. CSNN recommends eliminating these foods from you diet for at least two months. During this time, monitor symptoms, and should an improvement occur, it indicates a sensitivity to nightshades and you should continue to avoid them.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
- "Pathology and Nutrition"; The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition; Lilieana Stradler Mitrea; 2008
- The Univesity of Maryland Medical Center: Rheumatoid Arthritis Lifestyle Changes
