Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting in joints inflammation (particularly joints of hands, wrists, feet, knees, ankles, shoulder, etc.) that is manifested by swelling and functional impairment. At the beginning of the disease, symptoms include fatigue, low-grade fever, weakness, joint stiffness, vague joint pain, dryness and redness of the eyes and dry mouth. The associated complications are osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the lining of the joint thickens, the cartilage becomes deformed or locked into position, and the joint us actually destroyed. As the disease progresses, the skin over the joint takes on a ruddy, purplish hue.
Rheumatoid arthritis is more sinister than osteoarthritis because it can cause pain and inflammation of every joint in your body. And if it's not effectively treated, it can leave every joint permanently damaged. Generally, rheumatoid arthritis attacks people between the ages of 20 to 50-mostly women. Nobody knows what causes it, although scientists suspect that it may be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. The problem is that it causes your body's defense system to release chemicals that attack cartilage at the ends of your bones (autoimmune reaction).
Some scientist also suggested other factors contributing to the disease including genetic predisposition, poor liver detoxification, microorganisms, lifestyle, nutrition and food allergies. Food intolerances contribute to flare-ups, which explains why fasting or eliminating certain foods from your diet may relieve symptoms. Flare-ups may also be caused by stress and cold or damp weather.
What Can You Do to Retard the Progress of the Disease? Frequently treatment includes 10 to 12 hours of rest a day, aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs, joint exercise, massage and heat. However, the pharmacological therapy (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), slow acting antirheumatic drugs and corticosteroids), have the potential to cause side-effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding. The diet plays and important role in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, particularly in alleviating the symptoms of the disease, combating the side-effects of therapy and reducing the risk of complications. The major focus in dietary therapy is to eliminate food allergies, follow a vegetarian diet, as well as increase the intake of antioxidants and vitamins (vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E, molybdenum and selenium). Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, in combination with reduction of fatty acids omega-6 and adequate intake of monounsaturated fatty acids cause improvement in symptoms and sometimes a reduction in NSAIDs usage. Proper antioxidant nutrients (vitamin A, vitamin C, selenium) may provide an important defense against side effects in patients treated with methotrexate (MTX).
Important sources of omega-3 fatty acids are cold-water fish: mackerel, halibut, herring, sardines, and salmon. In addition, supplementing the diet with 1.8 to 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from a pharmaceutical-grade fish oil products is recommended. Fish oil and olive oil should replace other dietary fats, such as saturated fats, animal fats, and omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, all of which promote inflammatory process.
The most common food allergens that cause Ra flare-ups are wheat, corn, milk and other dairy products, beef, nightshade-family foods (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, and tobacco), and coffee. Usually, diet low in sugar, meat, and animal fats help to reduce symptoms.
Multiple studies have shown that the risks of rheumatoid arthritis is highest among people with the lowest levels of dietary antioxidants. Excellent sources of antioxidants include berries (cherries, cranberries, hawthorn berries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries). Carotenoids are found in yellow and green vegetables, including squashes, yams, carrots, and the cabbage-family vegetables.
Minerals, such as molybdenum play important role in treating numerous inflammatory conditions. Deficiency of molybdenum is linked to poor liver detoxification which is associated with inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis. A 1/2 serving of adzuki beans provides almost 200% of the daily recommended intake for molybdenum. Cauliflower, spinach and brewer's yeast are also rich in this mineral.
Fresh pineapple juice, lightly cooked or powdered ginger or turmeric root may help to relive symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis during flare-ups.