Rheumatic diseases are conditions that involve inflammation--pain, swelling, heat, redness--in your joints or your connective tissues--tissues, such as your tendons, ligaments and muscles, that help connect or support structures throughout your body. Medical nutrition therapy may be helpful in treating rheumatic disease, but you should always clear the use of these therapies with your doctor beforehand.
Rheumatic Disease
Approximately 43 million Americans of all ages suffer from the effects of rheumatic disease, reports the American College of Rheumatology. One of the most common types of rheumatic disease is arthritis--a condition that affects various joints throughout your body, causing joint pain, stiffness and reduced joint range of motion. Other types of rheumatic disease include osteoporosis, gout, fibromyalgia, lupus and scleroderma. In many cases, these is no known cure for your rheumatic disease, although certain treatment strategies may help you manage your condition.
Nutrition Therapy
Numerous dietary strategies have been used in treating rheumatic disease. In his book "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," naturopathic physician Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr. reports that diets rich in whole foods, vegetables and fiber and low in sugar, meat and refined carbohydrates may be helpful in treating your rheumatic disease. It is also important that you eliminate allergenic foods from your diet. Adding digestive enzymes--especially pancreatic enzymes--to your diet may be helpful in treating this health problem, too, notes Pizzorno.
Nutritional Supplementation
Nutritional supplementation has long been used as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of rheumatic disease. However, not all supplements traditionally used for this health purpose may be backed by extensive scientific research methods. In his book "Medical Nutrition From Marz," naturopathic physician Russell B. Marz states that omega-3 fatty acids, pantothenic acid, ginger, antioxidants, proteolytic enzymes, sea cucumber and turmeric may be among the most effective nutritional supplements in treating rheumatic disease.
Additional Information
Rheumatic diseases are thought to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Medical nutrition therapy may be helpful in treating many cases of rheumatic disease, although the use of dietary changes and nutritional supplementation does not guarantee a positive health outcome. If you are considering using medical nutrition therapy in treating your rheumatic disease, first meet with your primary care provider to review proper procedures, alternatives and risks associated with this natural treatment approach.
References
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders: Arthritis
- American College of Rheumatology: Living Well With a Rheumatic Disease
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph Pizzorno; 2002
- "Medical Nutrition From Marz"; Russell B. Marz; 2002
