How Food Can Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating disease. It is an autoimmune disease that causes persistent inflammation of the joints and the tissues around them. It can also affect other organs of the body if the disease is allowed to progress. An autoimmune disease could be explained as the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. An arthritis patient has to deal with the fact that his own immune system is attacking his body tissues.

Is There a Cure?

There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis as its possible causes are still merely theories up to now. Though there is no single cure for this medical condition, there are available drugs that can control flare-ups and inflammation. There are also exercises and some innovative joints protection and self management methods that have made rheumatoid arthritis patients lead happier, healthier and less "painful" lives.

Can Food Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis?

There are two schools of thought regarding this matter. The Arthritis Foundation and majority from the medical sector say that the food has no direct connection in the rheumatoid arthritis development and arthritis cure as there are no scientific proofs or study that is conclusive regarding this theory. On the other hand, there are other medical practitioners and alternative medicine practitioners who say that somehow, food can affect arthritis.

Despite years of studies, there is still no irrefutable evidence that proves that a particular food has a direct effect on arthritis. Decades ago, it was believed that nightshade plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant will aggravate the symptoms. However since rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation of the joints and tissues around the joints, does not it follow that a patient should avoid arthritis food that causes an allergic reaction on his person?

Allergic reaction to a particular food causes the immune system to produce immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. The body produces antibodies that go to every part of your system including the joints where they might add to inflammation. Avoidance of such food might or might not help your rheumatoid arthritis, but it would definitely control your allergies. If you have known food allergies then eliminate them from your diet.

Are There Foods that Could Reduce Inflammation?

Some studies have shown that there are certain foods that could reduce inflammation of the joints. Fish rich in omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids could help reduced inflammation. Mackerel, salmon, herring, sardines and trout are some of the fishes that were reported to have reduced symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Avoid food that has arachidonic acid. This fat is found in animals. Animal fat (pork, beef, poultry and dairy products) has been associated with various ailments aside from rheumatoid arthritis. History evidenced that there were no cases of rheumatoid arthritis on cultures who ate natural and meatless food.

There were studies that showed that fasting also help alleviate the symptoms. Fasting flushes out the toxins from the body and those toxins could very well be allergens that added to the inflammation of the joints.

Inconclusive as the studies may be it still follows that eating a healthy and balanced diet is beneficial. Exercising and keeping your weight down would also do you good in the long haul.