Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition for which no cause has been identified. Since it is a chronic illness, managing it entails not only treating the symptoms but also delaying its progression. Diet may be one way to treat RA. While it has not been confirmed in clinical trials, many people report feeling better and having less rheumatoid arthritis symptoms when they avoid those foods that can cause inflammation. On a rheumatoid arthritis diet, there are things to avoid.
Fried Foods and Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Fried foods have more trans fats than grilled or broiled foods, regardless of the type of oil used. Artificial trans fats cause the body to become more inflamed. However, some forms of oil are worse than others. Margarine, shortening, butter, lard, and coconut oil are also in the “stop as much as possible” category. Saturated fats are what they’re called. Apart from the oil, the cooking method—frying—can also cause inflammation. For example, the high heat required to fry meat releases high levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which can cause inflammation. The oils used for frying, such as vegetable oil and corn oil, contain omega-6 fatty acids.
Refined Carbohydrates and Sugar
This could be a difficult food category to give up if you have a sweet tooth, but processed sugars can be found in soft drinks and prepared sweets like donuts, store-bought cookies, and pastries. You can tell by looking for something ending in ‘ose,’ such as fructose and glucose, in the ingredient list. Sugars, on the other hand, can be deceptive. They can be found in a variety of items that might surprise you, such as white bread and other baked goods.
Dairy Products
Dairy is recommended for getting enough calcium and vitamin D, but it can also increase inflammation in the body. However, researchers have yet to decide whether this is valid for all. Although one major study found an increase in inflammation, other studies have found that dairy intake improves health. Saturated fats, which can be found in milk products, lead to inflammation. Low-fat dairy products are preferable to full-fat dairy products if you choose to keep dairy in your diet.
Alcohol
Although not purely a food, alcohol is widely consumed, and the alcohol may be leading to inflammation in your body. Given that findings appear to contradict one another, determining whether or not alcohol is good for your health can be difficult. However, recent research suggests that light drinking isn’t dangerous, but if you have an autoimmune disorder or rheumatoid arthritis, you should limit your alcohol consumption. Another justification to keep alcohol to a minimum on a RA diet is the powerful medication that many patients use to manage their symptoms. Alcohol will place an undue strain on the liver, which absorbs and removes all drugs.
Salt
If you go to some restaurant, you’ll almost certainly see a salt shaker on the bar. For certain people, adding salt to their diet is almost instinctive. Although a small amount of salt isn’t normally dangerous, too much salt and other preservatives can cause inflammation. Since processed and prepared foods are often high in salt, you can either skip them or seek out low-salt alternatives. Instead of relying on salt to flavour your food, try experimenting with herbs and spices. To avoid temptation, don’t have a salt shaker on the table.
1 Comment