Arthritis Foods – The Good The Bad & The Ugly!

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease which includes symptoms ranging from daily pain, stiffness and fatigue to inflammation and eventual disfigurement of joints. Rheumatoid arthritis,is a crippling condition that is thought to affect around 3% of the world’s adult population, symptoms normally start to become apparent between the ages of 20-40, with the disease being far more prevalent amongst women, affecting them up to 3 times more often than men. A version of RA called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can occur in children, with similar symptoms to those suffered by adults. It is a much more devastating illness than had previously been appreciated.

Rheumatoid arthritis is not restricted to race or gender and can be prevalent in all ethnic groups. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory illness that affects the joints and surrounding tissue, the condition is also “systemic”, which means it can effect the entire body, including organs.

Common rheumatoid arthritis medications can include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying anti rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biological response modifiers, and corticosteroids. Non-drug treatments include lifestyle changes,such as balancing activity with rest, and diet, reducing stress and professionally designed exercise programmes.

Also used are medicines that manage the immune system called Immunosuppressants, these drugs are only used when the immune system goes completely out of control.

Patients with these diseases have antibodies in their blood which target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with inflammation.

The hands, wrists, feet, ankles, elbows, shoulders, hips, and knees are the most commonly effected joint areas . Rheumatoid arthritis is not the same for everyone, however almost all cases are chronic, meaning they are reoccurring. Some people have mild condition, with only occasional flare up, while others may have very few remissions.

Arthritics should always advise from their doctor regarding suitable medication and and pain relief. As with all medicines, arthritis drugs must be used with caution, patients should inform their doctors about any changes which may occur while using the medication.

Many foods are known to help one’s RA, while many others will actually contribute to the disease or trigger the symptoms, there are far to many to list here, however one of the most important foods to cut out of your diet, would be white flower, and anything made with white flour.

Food allergy & intolerance’s may be the reason for many cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

Foods which contain a chemical called inflammatory prostaglandin are known to be bad for sufferers of RA, these natural chemicals can be directly responsible for triggering attacks of arthritis. Many sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis have shown a marked improvement when removing certain foods from their diet.

Bad foods which all Arthritics should avoid;

1.Shellfish

2.Fat & all fatty foods

3.White rice

4.White flour

5.Citrus fruit

Foods which should shown caution by anyone suffering with rheumatoid arthritis

The following foods cause much confusion amongst nutritionists and professionals alike, these foods are referred to as nightshade foods’

1.Potatoes (especially when green)

2.Tomatoes (especially the smaller variety or when green)

3.Hot peppers

4.Sweet peppers

5.Tobacco

Good foods for people suffering with RA

1.Brown rice (a good alternative to potatoes)

2.Pulses

3.All fresh onions

4.Garlic cloves

5.Celery

6. Most oily fish

This is obviously a very small list of some of the good and bad foods, which all arthritics should be aware of. Diet and natural treatments for arthritis are not necessarily the quickest forms of tackling arthritis, because they have to cure a basic imbalance in the body which can take some time, depending on the severity of the condition, having said that, it is clear that natural practices do tackle the underlying factors of one’s RA and not just the symptoms (as modern medicine does).

An alternative approach could be the answer to treating one’s rheumatoid arthritis pain.