When managing an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, patients will generally follow the medical option, taking prescribed drugs that offer pain relief and help alleviate typical symptoms of joint swelling and impaired mobility. There is now a growing awareness among those living with a chronic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis about how diet and environment can also enhance and improve your life experience.
Research shows there are a number of foods that can be incorporated into your diet that will offer relief from the symptoms of the condition, while you can eliminate certain ones that are potentially harmful. That includes food that can potentially inflame the intestinal tract or gut – this is a particular problem for patients with rheumatoid arthritis because the disease is an autoimmune one where the body’s immune system attacks the joints and causes inflammation.
Adding foods such as vegetables, fruit and whole grains to your diet can protect the gut. Products that may irritate or inflame the intestinal tract include dairy, wheat, peppers and tomatoes. Increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables in your diet is also a good step on the road to better heart health, important for patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have an increased risk of heart disease.
Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids have a beneficial effect, too, on arthritis sufferers, reducing inflammation and improving their feeling of general wellbeing. Fish oil can reduce joint swelling while monounsaturated fatty acids, such as olive oil, may reduce inflammation.
Changing your diet to include food and supplements known to have a positive effect on the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be a simple way to enjoy overall better health. You may need to go through some trial and error to find the right balance and eliminate those products that are detrimental to your wellbeing but the long-term benefits will soon be evident.
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