RA is the second most common type of arthritis in the UK, affecting around 850,000 people of all ages. While there is no cure, there is some evidence that what you eat and drink can have an effect on your symptoms.
There are many substances that are claimed to be beneficial to your health but most do not have scientific evidence to back up their claims. As RA is a very serious condition that requires medication, it’s essential that before you change your diet to exclude or include certain things, you gather as much information as possible and also discuss the situation with your doctor.
Here are 7 rules to follow for RA sufferers looking to have a balanced diet.
- Eat in moderation – if you’re overweight, you’re likely to be putting increased pressure on already painful joints.
- Cut back on foods high in saturated fats, such as red meat, bacon and dairy products. They can affect chemicals in the body called prostaglandins to increase inflammation.
- Make sure you include fresh fruit and vegetables in your daily diet – you need as many natural vitamins as possible. If you struggle to get enough vitamins, take daily supplements, particularly folic acid.
- Reduce the amount of salt and sugar you consume – this is beneficial for general good health, too.
- Include lots of omega 3-rich foods, including oily fish such as mackerel, trout, salmon and tuna, and walnuts, flax seeds and soybeans. As polyunsaturated foods, they contain “good” fat that help to suppress inflammation.
- Watch how much alcohol you consume as too much can increase joint pain.
- Make sure you get enough of the mineral potassium in your overall diet as RA can cause a deficiency – foods rich in potassium include bananas, baked potatoes (with skin), prunes, oranges, artichokes, peaches and tomatoes.