Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, affects approximately 1.3 million people just in the U.S., according to data from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Many people who suffer from this potentially debilitating condition also experience low potassium levels, which may worsen their RA symptoms and leave them vulnerable to other health problems. Consuming plenty of potassium-rich foods helps keep your potassium levels high and could play a role in keeping your RA pain under control.
The Facts
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic health condition characterized by painful swelling in the lining of your joints. As an autoimmune disease, RA develops when your immune system erroneously identifies your own tissue as enemy cells and attacks them. Various signs of RA may include joint pain and inflammation, reddened or swollen hands, excessive exhaustion, prolonged pain and stiffness during the morning and fever. RA can attack people of all ages and develops in women twice as frequently as in men. Potassium is an essential mineral that aids in performing multiple important jobs in your body, including muscle and body development, heart function and metabolism. The recommended daily intake of potassium for most adults is 4.7 g, according to MedlinePlus.
Effects
For reasons that are still somewhat unclear, individuals with RA typically tend to have low cell levels of potassium, notes Dr. Margaret Rayman, University of Surrey professor of nutritional medicine and coauthor of "Nutrition and Arthritis." Certain medications prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, such as corticosteroids, can also deplete your body's supply of this essential nutrient. Chronic low levels of potassium resulting from rheumatoid arthritis may lead to various health problems including high blood pressure, high sodium levels, an abnormal heart rate and muscle spasms.
Studies
Results from a small 2008 study conducted by a team of Iranian doctors indicate that increased potassium intake may play a role in reducing rheumatoid arthritis pain. The team of doctors, led by Dr. Reza Rastmanesh, gave 36 female RA sufferers either potassium-enriched grape juice or a placebo drink for a period of 28 days. Study results, published in the August 2008 issue of "The Journal of Pain," indicate that 75 percent of those who drank the potassium-enriched juice experienced a moderate to significant decrease in RA pain, while only 12.5 percent of the placebo-drinking patients indicated similar pain improvement.
Considerations
Talk to your primary care doctor if you're interested in boosting your daily intake of potassium-rich foods in an effort to minimize the effects of rheumatoid arthritis on your body. You can find potassium in a wide assortment of foods, including meats, vegetables, fruits and dairy products. Red meat, poultry and a variety of fish, as well as soy and veggie burgers, all provide a hefty dose of potassium. Fruits rich in potassium include bananas, cantaloupe, prunes, apricots, oranges and lemons, while potassium-heavy vegetables include potatoes, winter squash, broccoli and tomatoes. Dairy products and nuts also serve as important potassium sources.
References
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Rheumatoid Arthritis
- "Living Well with Arthritis"; Dr. Dianne Mosher, et al; 2007
- MedlinePlus: Potassium
- "Nutrition and Arthritis"; Dr. Margaret Rayman ; 2006
- "Journal of Pain"; A Pilot Study of Potassium Supplementation in the Treatment of Hypokalemic Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis; Dr. Reza Rastmanesh, et al.; August 2008
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