Foods One Can Eat With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory form of arthritis that causes joint pain and damage. RA attacks the lining of joints---hands, feet, ankles and knees---and creates swelling that eventually can lead to deformities, reports HolisticOnline.com. Although some studies show a relationship between food allergies and RA, there is no proof that any one food alleviates symptoms.

Features

• According to the Mayo Clinic's website, RA is "two to three times more common in women than in men," with most people noticing symptoms when they're between 40 and 60 years old. Doctors are not sure of the exact cause, the site says, but believe it's caused by a combination of factors---genes, habits such as smoking and other illnesses. There is no known cure for the disease.

Possible Triggers

• No one diet has been advocated as the cure-all for this condition, but the Mayo Clinic advises sufferers to eat a diet rich with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. HolisticOnline.com says that research shows "food can cause arthritis; it can also help in the cure." The dietary information on the site advises patients with RA to eat a "primitive" diet, which is made up of whole foods, vegetables and fiber, and is low in sugar, meat, refined carbohydrates and saturated fat. The website also claims that foods such as wheat, dairy products, corn, beef and nightshade family foods---tomato, potato, eggplant and peppers---may aggravate the condition even more.

Food Allergies

• The role that food allergies play in the ongoing effects of RA is garnering more attention among physicians and diet experts, according to ArthritisToday.org. Dr. Jonathan Brostoff, professor of allergy and environmental health at Kings College London, suggests that patients who believe they see a relationship between what they eat and RA symptoms should try what he calls a "Stone Age diet, which includes only fruit, vegetables, meat and fish, for one month." Then, gradually begin eating the suspected trigger foods, one at a time, so that you can identify which foods, if any, that you are indeed allergic to.

Raw Diet

• Researchers also are looking at a link between a raw food diet and a decrease in symptoms for RA patients. A raw food diet is rich in fruit and vegetables, which are not cooked above a temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing foods to maintain their nutrients. According to OrganizedWisdom.com, "Studies have shown eating a 75 percent raw diet will help with the inflammation and pain of RA." The site goes on to point out that a raw diet also promotes weight loss, which can be beneficial for RA sufferers. On this diet, people can also eat raw fish and raw meat, although a vegan, gluten-free diet is sometimes recommended.

Considerations

• While researchers can't yet point to an ideal RA diet, it is best to avoid foods high in sugar, to drink alcohol in moderation, to consume foods low in saturated fat, and always balance your food intake with physical activity. Gentle exercise, the Mayo Clinic says, helps reduce swelling and prevent joint pain, but you should talk with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.