What Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Eat to Reduce Inflammation

Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin E Selenium

Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, or RA for short, then you should know how painful it can be. The disease is characterized by swelling and pain in the joints. It can happen at any age.

RA differs from osteoarthritis, which is the natural wear and tear of joints as we age. Ra occurs when your own immune system attacks your joints. The root cause of the attack is not yet known. But the result is painful swelling, stiffness, and inflammation in the joint.

RA and your diet

There is no complete cure for RA. Traditional treatment for the disease involves taking medications, which can have negative side effects. These drugs include:

pain relievers anti-inflammatory drugs drugs that suppress the immune system

RA patients begin to turn to alternative treatments, including dietary changes. Foods that reduce inflammation throughout the body can reduce joint pain and swelling.

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids

Some foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids have great anti-inflammatory properties. Consider adding fatty fish to your diet, such as:

Mackerel Herring Salmon Tuna

You can also take fish oil supplements.

If fish isn't your favorite food, try eating more nuts like walnuts and almonds. You can also grind flax seeds and add them to your cereal, yogurt, or baked goods. Pepper seeds also contain high amounts of omega-3s.

Added antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that destroy free radicals in the body. They also reduce inflammation. A scientific research paper published in "Clinical Rheumatology" shows that a diet rich in antioxidants can reduce pain and inflammation in joints affected by RA.

Some important dietary antioxidants are:

You can increase these elements in your daily diet by:

eat fresh fruits and vegetables eat nuts drink green tea

fiber filling

Fiber-rich foods can reduce the amount of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood. This blood measure can indicate the level of inflammation in your body.

Get more fiber in your diet, such as:

High Fiber Vegetables Whole Wheat Beans Strawberries

Strawberries in particular work great for lowering CRP in your body while adding fiber to your diet. Eat it fresh or frozen.

Don't Forget Your Flavonoids

Flavonoids are compounds made by plants. When we eat fruits and vegetables, they enter our stomach. Flavonoids can reduce inflammation in your body and help reduce pain and swelling in RA.

Foods rich in flavonoids include:

Berry Green Tea Grapes Broccoli Soybeans

Chocolate is also high in flavonoids, but stick to dark chocolate. It's high in cocoa but low in sugar. Don't assume that all chocolate is sweet.

condiment

Spices appear to increase inflammation. But certain medicinal spices can actually reduce inflammation in your body. Turmeric, which is common in Indian food, contains a compound called curcumin that has anti-inflammatory properties. It is related to ginger and may have similar effects.

Capsaicin, a compound found in hot peppers, also helps reduce inflammation in the body. Capsaicin is also an effective pain reliever, according to scientific research published in the International Journal of Surgical Neurology.

mediterranean diet

Certain diets are naturally rich in anti-inflammatory substances. The Mediterranean diet is a good example. According to the Arthritis Foundation, this regional diet can help reduce inflammation.

Specific foods include:

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Whole Grain Olive Oil

The Mediterranean diet includes a lot of fish protein rather than a lot of lean meat. Regular drinking of red wine is also part of the diet.

old fashioned diet

Paleo diets are all the rage today. It advocates eating foods that our caveman ancestors ate. This means eating more:

meat vegetable fruit

The old-fashioned diet avoids:

Cultivated Grain Sugar Dairy Processed Food

Like other popular diets, this one is high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

The Old Fashioned Diet promotes eating certain foods that reduce inflammation, such as fruits and vegetables. But it also contains a lot of lean meat, which can have the opposite effect. Talk to your doctor before trying this diet.

avoid trigger foods

While eating foods that reduce inflammation, you should also try to avoid foods that cause inflammation. This includes processed carbohydrates like pasta and white sugar. Saturated fats and trans fats, such as those found in fried foods, lean meats, and dairy products, should also be avoided as much as possible.

Alcohol

It's controversial advice, but drinking alcohol in moderation can actually reduce your inflammation. Alcohol can lower CRP levels. But if you drink too much, it can have the opposite effect. Talk to your doctor before you increase your alcohol consumption. I personally do not recommend drinking alcohol.