Dietary recommendations and lifestyle changes in Rheumatoid arthritis

Which lifestyle changes are beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term illness that can make you feel like your quality of life is out of your hands. But you can still do some things to make yourself feel better, even if you can’t change everything about RA.

Some lifestyle changes that can help are:

Rest: Your joints can get hurt easily when they are swollen. That’s why you need to rest them when they are inflamed. you also need to exercise when they are not acutely painful (when pain is reduced). Keeping your joints moving and your body fit are important for dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Exercise: Your joints can get stiff and painful. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis stop being active. But this can make your joints and muscles weaker and less stable. This can make your pain and tiredness worse. Some good exercises are: walking, swimming and cycling.

Loose Weight: this advice is applicable to every obese or overweight RA patients. Weight loss reduces stress on inflamed joints.

Dietary recommendations in Rheumatoid arthritis:

RA is caused by uncontrolled inflammation in the body. It is believed that different food can either increase or decrease inflammation in the body. No specific diet or eating pattern can cure rheumatoid arthritis, but eating healthy, whole foods in general can help with your RA symptom.

Patient should consume a low-fat, low-sugar, antioxidant rich diet to quiet down the inflammation.

Foods that contain antioxidants include: 1. Curcumin (found in turmeric), 2. Fish oil. 3. Ginger. 4. Spirulina 5. Green tea

Specific antioxidants and their sources are mentioned below:

• Omega-3 fatty acids: found in fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines and anchovies, as well as in walnuts.

• Vitamin E: found in nuts, sunflower seeds and vegetable oil.

• Vitamin C : found in most fruits and vegetables, especially berries and peppers. Other good sources are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, tomatoes citrus fruits and tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, papaya and guava.

• Beta-carotene: found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables like carrots, peas, spinach and mangoes.

• Lycopene: Comes from pink and red vegetables like tomatoes and watermelon.

• Lutein: found in green, leafy vegetables, as well as in corn, papaya and oranges.

• Selenium: Found in eggs, tuna, salmon, brown rice, onions and many other vegetables.

 Foods to be avoided in rheumatoid arthritis.

Diet that promotes inflammation are those food that contains,

• Added sugars (in sodas, candy and desserts).

• Refined carbs (In foods made with white flour).

• Trans fats (In fried foods).

• Processed meats (In hot dogs and sausage).

• High-fat foods (like red meat and whole eggs).

• Alcohol.

People with rheumatoid arthritis also have a higher risk of coronary artery disease. So, the dietary recommendations to reduce high blood cholesterol are also applicable here.

You can always Contact DR CHINMOY ROY at RAJARHAT PAIN CLINIC, NEWTOWN, KOLKATA For Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment.