| Does diet and nutrition affect rheumatoid arthritis? | | | | anti-oxidant and certainly can't hurt patients with |
| Research in this area shows confusing and | | | | autoimmune diseases. |
| contradicting results. However, some common | | | | Does diet or certain foods cause flare-ups in |
| elements appear regularly in research studies which | | | | rheumatoid arthritis? Again research is controversial. |
| would indicate these are worth considering. | | | | Many experts recognize that allergens affect |
| Research results and many experts agree that | | | | rheumatoid arthritis because it is an autoimmune |
| rheumatoid arthritis patients tend to be deficient in folic | | | | disease. So anything that affects the immune system |
| acid, B vitamins (B6 and B12), vitamins C, D, and E, | | | | might affect RA. Most experts caution against radical |
| calcium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc. Folic acid and | | | | diet changes especially elimination diets or fasting due |
| the B vitamins deficiencies occur especially in patients | | | | to the risks of malnutrition or other side effects. |
| taking methotrexate. Certainly eating a balanced diet is | | | | So what is safe and how do you find what works for |
| the first best form of nutrition, but supplements may be | | | | you? Careful, logical, and systematic testing of foods in |
| needed to meet the extra needs of rheumatoid | | | | your diet can give positive information that will help |
| arthritis patients. | | | | rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. The best thing to do is |
| Two different studies with mice show that both green | | | | begin to journal everything. Keep a daily log of all food |
| tea and a combination of fish oil with vitamin E reduce | | | | and beverages consumed. With this log, record daily |
| the inflammation related to cytokines. The presence of | | | | activities including exercise and anything that causes |
| cytokines (pro-inflammatory) in the blood correlates to | | | | pain (e.g. opening a jar, lifting, rising, swollen joints, etc.). |
| inflammation in the joints resulting in pain for rheumatoid | | | | Over time if there is a repeated pain with a common |
| arthritis sufferers. | | | | cause then eliminate that food or activity. |
| Some studies indicate that green tea also aids the | | | | Each person is unique and each case of rheumatoid |
| body in metabolizing fat which makes it an excellent | | | | arthritis will vary. Determine to eat a healthy diet and |
| aid to rheumatoid arthritis patients taking prednisone | | | | use supplements as needed in a healthy way. With |
| which causes excessive fat storage. Whether this | | | | study, reasonable effort, and care you can determine |
| works or not, green tea is recognized as an excellent | | | | the kind of diet and supplements that work for you. |