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There is a wide range of beliefs that surround the association between food and in rheumatoid arthritis. Although there is considerable interest in the role food allergy might play in arthritis, the evidence till date is very limited.
In a study of 63 children with chronic arthritis, there was only one case where there was a clear association between food and arthritis related symptoms. The researchers therefore concluded that food may play a role in only in some occasional patients and not in everyone with arthritis.
Best Foods for Arthritis
Conversely, it may also be true that patients with arthritis limit their food intake either due to the severity of pain or in the belief that eating certain foods may aggravate the symptoms. This inadequate intake results in micro nutrient deficiencies, which further impact immunity. A lowered immunity leads to more frequent attacks or intensity.
The digestive tract is the location where all food allergies start. The lining of the gut is the first point of contact between foods and the immune system. The intestinal lining alone is estimated to contain more immune cells and produce more antibodies than any other organ in the body.
In people who have reduced immunity or inflammation (as is the case in arthritis), the intestinal lining can be leaky, allowing incompletely processed proteins in the food to reach the bloodstream.
Experts also state that it is also possible that people who have a weak immune system, have a heightened reaction to food allergies, i.e., the immune system overreacts to even harmless substances.
Experts believe corn is the most common food allergen in the US, while wheat is the most common in the UK.
As far as arthritis is concerned, the most common suspects are grains and dairy products, followed by pork, beef and eggs. Indians however are told generally to avoid citrus foods and the nightshade family (which includes tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, brinjal). Childers, a horticulturist, propounded this theory as excluding nightshade foods cured his arthritis. Although unproven, these foods do contain solanum alkaloids which could theoretically inhibit normal collagen repair or promote inflammation.
Other possible arthritis aggravating foods include peanuts, oranges, grapefruit, malt and coffee. Coffee has been in some studies seen to cause inflammation in the body, as shown by the presence of what are known as key inflammatory markers in the blood. A study involving over 3,000 people in Greece found that those consuming 200ml of coffee – that’s two cups – had between 28 and 30 per cent higher levels of each of these kinds of inflammatory marker compared to non-coffee consumers.
Elimination diets are to be used to find out individually to find out what particular food a person is allergic to, and there are no common lists of allergens, according to expert nutritionists. Elimination diets involve eliminating common suspected foods one by one for a period of time to see if it makes any difference in symptoms, and then reintroducing them after the study period.
Even so, elimination diets are not necessarily a foolproof way of finding and avoiding allergens. Controlling all the factors while eliminating each food is difficult and it is possible that a person is sensitive to one or more foods in combination, or could be sensitive to something that is not suspected at all.
A patch test or blood test can indicate sensitivity to certain foods, which can further be confirmed through elimination. Certified expert nutritionists can effectively plan elimination diets.
What nutrients can help reduce symptoms of arthritis?
Research has shown that adding omega 3 fatty acids to the diet can help to a large extent. Reduction in the number of tender joints or reduction in the dosage of pain killers have both been observed after omega 3 supplementation.
Antioxidant nutrients, such as Vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium are also beneficial in reducing inflammation that is associated with arthritis, and in improving overall immunity. A diet rich in omega 3, antioxidants (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and avoiding red meat, alcohol and smoking (factors that can enhance inflammation) are therefore the key factors in achieving optimum health in arthritis sufferers.
Find the best nutrition and diet centres in your area and speak to an expert nutritionist/dietitian there. Some of the best centers that offer the services of nutritionists and dietitians in Bangalore are Paustica Diet Clinic in Wilson Garden, Eaternity Consulting in Jayanagar 9 Block, Indian Sujok Foundation in Langford Road, and QUA NUTRITION in Indiranagar.
