Introduction
Nutrition is vital for every human being of any age. Healthy nutrition is essential for the growth, development, and proper functioning of the human body. But when it comes to rheumatoid arthritis, some food can be beneficial whereas some food needs to be avoided because of their pro-inflammatory properties.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of degenerative nature that affects the joints, bones, and muscles. Autoimmune disease is a condition where the immune system attacks one’s cells and body tissues, in this case, it attacks the lining present in the joints of the body causing swelling and pain.
What Are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis mainly involve swollen and tender joints, that are painful and also make mobility difficult due to the stiffness of the joints. The symptoms initially affect the smaller joints and progress through the body affecting the larger joints such as the knee and lower back.
The involvement of more joints may lead to a life-disabling phase. The causative reason for the development of the disease is unknown and hence the treatment for the condition mainly focuses on easing pain and inflammation and preventing progression and other possible complications of the disease. Along with the medications, factors that can help individuals with rheumatoid arthritis are certain lifestyle changes that can help improve the functioning and maintenance of the body. Diet is one such lifestyle change.
Does Food Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis?
There is no particular diet that is specifically recommended for rheumatoid arthritis like diets for other conditions like diabetes. However, modification in one’s diet can help control inflammation, manage weight, and provide the necessary nutrients for the body. Excess weight is a risk factor for getting rheumatoid arthritis, but for an existing condition of rheumatoid arthritis, excess weight can cause more pain and swelling in the joints.
Several studies have shown that certain food can cause allergic reactions in individuals. Similarly, studies have shown certain dietary modifications can help benefit rheumatoid arthritis individuals. Conclusions from several such studies are as follows:
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B-cryptoxanthin is an anti-inflammatory component found in orange juice. Daily consumption of one glass of orange juice was shown to lower the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Another study suggested that a high intake of b-cryptoxanthin, zinc supplements, and diets rich in fruits and cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, brussels, cabbage, and cauliflower) may also be protective against rheumatoid arthritis.
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Polyphenols, a component present in high concentrations in spices, herbs, green tea, and many fruits and vegetables may be helpful to reduce inflammation and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids, have proven to have health benefits and anti-inflammatory properties which are beneficial for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids are not synthesized in the body and are usually sourced from the consumption of fish like salmon, sardine, and mackerel or from additional omega-3 supplements. Studies have shown that consuming omega-3 fatty acids for approximately 12 weeks, showed a reduction in inflammation and pain in rheumatoid arthritis, and also the need for pain-relieving medications was minimal.
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Studies have shown that a salt intake of more than six grams per day can cause inflammation in the body. For individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, this is a problem, hence limited salt intake is advised.
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A special diet known as the Mediterranean diet, which mainly includes fruits and vegetables, fish, olive oil, whole grains, and nuts has shown an improvement in symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Consumption of food rich in calcium and vitamin D alone may not suffice for an individual with rheumatoid arthritis and hence additional supplementation is advised. Calcium and vitamin D have been shown to improve bone density and strength and also help relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and to an extent slow or prevent the complications of rheumatoid arthritis (osteoporosis- weakening and breaking of bone).
Does Malnutrition Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Yes, malnutrition affects rheumatoid arthritis. An individual is considered malnourished if one has excessive deficiencies, an imbalance in the nutrients (possibly due to excessive nutrient intake), or the inability of the body to utilize the nutrients well.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) which are commonly used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (for example, Methotrexate) has gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, stomatitis, upset stomach, and diarrhea. This disturbs the nutritional balance in the body and affects the rheumatoid arthritis outcome.
Corticosteroids (used for rheumatoid arthritis treatment), when used in high doses and for a prolonged duration, have adverse effects on the body such as weight gain and risk of diabetes which can cause flares in rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatic individuals may also experience weight loss as a result of the disease condition itself. This is said to be associated with an increase in the production of cytokines (interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor) which increases the metabolic breakdown (cachexia).
Rheumatic individuals are observed to have deficiencies in vitamins and minerals often. The cause could be medications or the disease condition itself. The most common deficiencies are folic acid, vitamin D, calcium, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and folic acid. With the loss of appetite and gastrointestinal side effects of medications, additional nutrient supplements to balance the deficiencies is necessary to improve the nutritional status of rheumatic individuals.
Does Food Worsen Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Just as some individuals are allergic to peanuts, shellfish, or certain ingredients of food, individuals with rheumatoid arthritis has shown to be allergic to food too. Certain rheumatic individuals have observed worsening pain and swelling on the consumption of certain foods. However, this varies from person to person and cannot be generalized.
Do Probiotics Help in Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Every individual has a mixture of bacteria (good bacteria) in the gut which are responsible for one’s health and immunity. But, with age, lifestyle, health conditions, and medications, this mixture of bacteria can get disturbed. Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis have a sensitive intestinal tract (due to the medications) and cause permeability of bacteria into the bloodstream which in turn causes infections and flare-up inflammations.
Probiotics are a mixture of various good bacteria and yeast and help maintain the health of the individual. Probiotics help regain healthy gut bacteria and have been shown to have an impact on reducing inflammation. However, a doctor's advice is a must before one tries probiotics as some can interact with medications and cause more harm than good.
Conclusion
Healthy nutrition helps control inflammation. Diets that include anti-inflammatory food and decreasing the use of proinflammatory ones can help individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatic individual needs to know the balance suitable for the body to get all the benefits of balanced nutrition. A doctor’s advice and awareness of such diet changes is however mandatory.
