Rheumatoid Arthritis: Keys To Eating

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that many people suffer from. Today we will discover how some foods could help us alleviate your symptoms.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful and inflammatory disease that weakens the joints and connective tissue, in turn affecting the quality of life of those who suffer from it.

Often, patients with arthritis look for an adequate diet to help relieve their symptoms. This is because nutrition would have a lot to do with treating this disease.

So far, no specific treatment has been discovered to cure rheumatoid arthritis. However, research such as Importance of nutritional aspects in the inflammatory process of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have shown that there would be a certain relationship between diet and the inflammation that characterizes this disorder.

Diet in rheumatoid arthritis

Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes would be important in relieving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Here are some recommended guidelines for patients with this disease in the Arthritis Foundation Nutrition Guide .

Diet rich in omega 3

Different investigations have indicated that omega 3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect that would effectively contribute to improving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Among the most recommended omega 3 fatty acids are canola oil, olive oil, corn oil, soybean oil, and flaxseed oil. The latter is one of the most recommended, as its properties would lubricate the joints and reduce pain.

Vegetables and greens

Likewise, nuts are also recommended for the diet of people with rheumatoid arthritis, since they are rich in vitamins, especially vitamin E, selenium and calcium.

As for the seeds, the most recommended are those of flax and sesame, as they are characterized by their high content of omega 3 fatty acids.

Whole grains

Whole grains are ideal for the diet of those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, as they are characterized by their fiber content. Remember that fiber promotes digestion avoiding problems such as constipation.

This type of food is also rich in vitamins and minerals such as selenium, which is key to treating rheumatoid arthritis. Combining whole grains with fruit would be interesting to maintain a balanced weight and avoid obesity, one of the risk factors for this disease.

Soy milk

Soy milk and all its derivatives could be an interesting alternative to cow’s milk for those patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have lactose intolerance. Ideally, opt for organic soybeans.

Contraindicated foods for rheumatoid arthritis

In addition to consuming the foods recommended to treat rheumatoid arthritis, those who suffer from this problem should take into account that they should minimize the consumption of foods that are rich in saturated fat, trans fat, processed products and foods considered “junk”.

Sugar would not be recommended either, as these types of foods tend to increase cholesterol and aggravate the problem of rheumatoid arthritis.

Here are some of the foods you should avoid:

• Whole milk and its derivatives : with 3% fat or more.
• Hard cheeses : high in fat.
• Sausages : they are rich in sodium and trans fats.
• Processed sauces : These are usually high in sodium and unhealthy fats.
• Egg yolk : can increase cholesterol.
• Meats : especially red meat for its high fat content.

Of course, before making any changes to your diet, consult your trusted doctor. We hope that the above recommendations to improve your diet and alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis will help you to deal more effectively with this disease.