Foods to Avoid With RA

A diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis opens up a world of questions. You wonder how drugs, physical therapy and diet are going to drastically change your life and alter your cherished daily habits. Inflammation of the joints, loss of sleep and chronic daily pain are all symptoms that, while under heavy medical research and scrutiny, are still not covered by a miracle drug. That leaves you with the task of meeting medicine halfway. To do this, you're going to have to find out if anything on your dinner plate is making matters worse.

Dairy

• Even a mild lactose intolerance can weaken your immune system.

  Since RA is a disease affecting your immune system, you should cut back on those foods that are also giving your body's defenses a daily workout. Since most food intolerance is mild at best, people often get away with eating some of the things that agitate their bodies. Dairy allergies (lactose intolerance) are common, and the body can deal with these reactions when they're mild. But when the immune system is already attacking the body, you shouldn't be adding fuel to the fire. Simple tests can determine if you are lactose intolerant.

Nightshades

• Nightshades, like eggplants and tomatoes, may increase the symptoms of RA.

  Nightshade plants -- vegetables like eggplants, tomatoes and peppers -- are also mild irritants to the digestive system. These go hand-in-hand with dairy in that, if you do exhibit allergic reactions to nightshades, you're not helping your immune system when it needs it most. Keeping a food diary or simply cutting out individual nightshades will help you determine which of these are causing you extra pain.

Heavy Sugars and Oils

• Inflammatory foods contains enzymes that cause inflammation in the body. Unfortunately, a major symptom of RA is the inflammation of the joints. Combine these two, and you going to have tough time fighting the effects of the disease. Inflammatory foods are those heavy in sugars, oils and fats. Cut these foods out, or at least reduce their intake, to minimize the effects of inflammation. Though it seems like inflammatory foods are all the tasty ones, cutting back on these foods is recommended for everyone, so RA sufferers should take special care to avoid them.

Red Meat

• Eat salmon and other fatty fish to lower inflammation.

  Red meats are high in fats and proteins than can cause additional inflammation in the body, possibly exaggerating the effects of RA. To obtain the fats the body needs without causing inflammation, try eating more fish. The University of Maryland Medical center suggests that "the omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil may have anti-inflammatory properties useful for RA joint pain relief." The organization proposes eating salmon, herring and other "fatty" types of fish.

Alcohol

• Alcohol can increase inflammation in the body.

  Alcohol is an inflammatory beverage that should be moderated carefully, especially if you are taking pain medications or other prescription treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Studies by the Harvard Department of Epidemiology show that the consumption of alcohol in moderation will result in less inflammation in the body, a result that can ease both RA and other diseases effected by inflammatory markers.