Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system constantly attacks the joints and may lead to joint destruction, deformity and loss of function. It can affect any joint, but it is most common in the fingers, knees, feet, elbows and wrists. This in turn causes inflammation that causes swelling, redness, fatigue and joint pain. Research indicates that certain foods can be effective for reducing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Omega-3 Foods
Researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand reviewed clinical studies on the effects of consuming omega-3 fatty acids in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. At the end of the review, which was published in the October 2005 issue of the journal "Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism," scientists concluded that omega-3 fatty acids are effective for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, since they reduce inflammation associated with symptoms. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in the following foods: salmon, flaxseed, cod liver oil, soybeans, walnuts and tuna.
Alcohol
In research reported in the July 2010 issue of the journal "Rheumatology," scientists from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom investigated the relationship between alcohol consumption and severity of rheumatoid arthritis. They discovered that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who drank alcohol frequently had less severe symptoms compared to those who drank infrequently and non-drinkers. Although these findings are promising, further research is needed regarding alcohol effects on the severity of rheumatoid arthritis, according to researchers.
Vitamin B-6 Foods
Scientists from Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan studied the impact of vitamin B-6 supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Subjects randomly received folic acid or folic acid plus vitamin B-6. Researchers reported in the July 2010 issue of the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" that the folic acid and vitamin B-6 group experienced decreases in interleukin-6 and necrosis factor-alpha, both inflammatory compounds, compared to the folic acid group. Foods rich in vitamin B-6 include bananas, liver, cod, hazelnuts and potatoes.
Mediterranean Diet
In research published in the March 2003 issue of the journal "Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases," researchers from Kalmar County Hospital in Sweden examined the impact of a Mediterranean diet, which consists of healthy fats, vegetables, fruits, legumes and olive oil, versus a typical Western diet on patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They discovered that patients adhering to a Mediterranean diet for 12 weeks experienced reductions in inflammatory compounds and improvements in physical function compared to those following a Western diet.
References
- "Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism"; Diet and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review of the Literature; L.K. Stamp, et al.; October 2005
- Science Daily: Alcohol Reduces the Severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Study Finds
- Nutra Ingredients: High-Dose B-6 May Improve Arthritis Measures
- "Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases"; An Experimental Study of a Mediterranean Diet Intervention for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis; L. Skoldstam, et al.; March 2003
