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Step 1
Rheumatoid arthritis can be a difficult disease to deal with on a day to day basis. The swelling and joint pain can fluctuate on any given day making it difficult to predict how you’re going to feel from one moment to the next. While it’s tempting to relate the symptoms to factors such as the weather or diet, there’s no solid evidence that either plays a huge role in making the symptoms worse or better. Despite this, some preliminary research does suggest that diet can be a factor in rheumatoid arthritis. If you’ve been diagnosed with this disease, are there certain foods for rheumatoid arthritis that you should be eating?
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Step 2
Eat more fish
One study showed that when cod liver oil was given to a group of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers; they were able to reduce the quantities of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication they used for pain. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil and cod liver oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties which may help to reduce the joint inflammation that’s so characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis. If you don’t like the taste of cod liver oil, you can get similar benefits by taking fish oil capsules or eating fatty fish several times a week. If you’re taking a blood thinner, aspirin, or have a history of a bleeding disorder, talk to your doctor before starting fish oil supplements. -
Step 3
Cut back on unhealthy fats
While the omega-3’s found in fatty fish have anti-inflammatory effects which may help treat the joint swelling and pain of rheumatoid arthritis, omega-6’s are a type of fat that can increase inflammation in the body. Omega-6’s are commonly found in processed foods such as cookies and other snack foods as well as some types of cooking oils such as corn, sunflower, safflower, and peanut oil. The best way to reduce pro-inflammatory omega-6’s in your diet is to switch over to canola oil for cooking and cut back on processed, packaged foods, particularly ones high in fat. -
Step 4
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are a good source of phytochemicals which have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Cutting back on processed foods and eating a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables may help to reduce some of the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis if done on a consistent basis. -
Step 5
In terms of foods to avoid, it may be helpful to keep a food diary for several weeks to see if certain foods seem to trigger the symptoms or make them better. Write down everything you eat each day along with a record of your symptoms. At the end of three or four weeks, see if you note any patterns. This can help you to fine tune and refine your rheumatoid diet. You can then create your own personalized menu of foods for rheumatoid arthritis.
