WORLD AUTOIMMUNE ARTHRITIS DAY (MAY 20)

WORLD AUTOIMMUNE ARTHRITIS DAY

(MAY 20)

An autoimmune disease is one in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks normal cells

In autoimmune arthritis, called rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the immune system attacks the lining of the joints. This leads to inflammation that can affect the entire body. The underlying cause of the attack is unknown, but the result is painful swelling, stiffness, and inflammation in joints.

While there’s no cure for this chronic condition, there are a variety of treatments that can help improve your quality of life.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet

Load Up on Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Fish like mackerel, herring, salmon, and tuna, or take a fish oil supplement.
• Nuts like walnuts and almonds.
• Grind up flax seeds to add to your cereal, yogurt, or baked goods.
• Chia seeds are also high in omega-3s.

Add Antioxidants

Dietary antioxidants are vitamins A, C, and E, the mineral selenium.

Include more of these in daily diet by eating -

• Fresh vegetables
• Fruits
• Nuts
• Green tea

Fill Up on Fiber

Foods high in fiber may reduce the amount of C-reactive protein (CRP) in your blood.

CRP is a marker that indicates the level of inflammation in your body.

Strawberries, in particular, seem to reduce CRP while adding fiber to your diet.

OTHER SOURCES

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains
• Beans
• Nuts

Don’t Forget Flavonoids

Flavonoids may reduce inflammation in your body and could help reduce your RA pain and swelling.

Foods that are particularly high in flavonoids include

• Berries
• Green tea
• Grapes
• Broccoli
• Soy
• Dark chocolate

Spice up Meals

Turmeric contains a compound called cur-cumin that has anti-inflammatory properties.

Capsaicin, the compound found in chili peppers, also helps to reduce inflammation in the body.

A Healthy Dose of D

RA patients should get enough vitamin D because some RA medications can cause deficiencies.

Vitamin D3 helps prevent bone loss in RA patients who take steroids.

Get 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight every other day.

Certain types of fish, like salmon or mackerel.

Eating foods that are fortified with vitamin D (Milk, cheese, and breakfast cereal are foods that are commonly fortified with vitamin D) can help ensure that you get enough of the vitamin.

Other Helpful Vitamins

Vitamin E as a dietary supplement that may help reduce joint pain.

Avoid Trigger Foods

Foods that may trigger inflammation include processed carbohydrates like

• White flour
• White sugar
• Saturated and Trans fats, such as those found in fried foods, red meat, and dairy.