Discover Which Fruit and Vegetables Help Relieve Arthritic Pain
Emily Clark
If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, you know how painful and debilitating it can be. If you haven’t walked a mile in those shoes, you can’t imagine how frustrating it can be. Your doctor may say try this medication, try that. Don’t do this, do that. But sometimes, to no avail. The disease is caused by a misguided immune system attack on the body's own joint tissue, which leads to swelling, pain, stiffness and in some cases deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common among women than men.
Perhaps what you’re eating, or more specifically what you’re not eating can be causing some of your soreness. Recent findings suggest that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, legumes and certain oils aids in relieving symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis. After following a diet rich in fruits and veggies for three months, people with rheumatoid arthritis experienced a number of improvements not seen in people following a typical American diet high in processed foods. Some of the improvements shown include a decrease in pain, inflammation, disease activity and in the number of swollen joints. Further, previous research suggested that more olive oil and cooked vegetables help protect people from the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
The current results suggest that "patients with (rheumatoid arthritis) can obtain better physical function and increase their vitality" from eating a fruit, vegetables, legumes and some oils diet for three months, write Dr. Lars Skoldstam of Visby Hospital in Sweden and colleagues.
This plan is similar to that of people who live in the Mediterranean. They also tend to eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, and legumes, more fish and less red meat. Moreover, they drink a moderate amount of wine, and rely on olive oil as their main source of dietary fat. Earlier research has suggested that followers of this diet enjoy a wide range of benefits, such as a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and memory loss.
Additional studies have shown that citrus and zinc may also cut rheumatoid arthritis risk. Citrus can be helpful because of the antioxidants they contain. Findings are not conclusive, yet promising.
In the study, the doctors found that women getting less than 40 micrograms of beta-cryptoxanthin, a component found in citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit were at a somewhat elevated danger of developing rheumatoid arthritis than women who consumed more than that amount.
Although thus far it has only been proven that genetics is the culprit behind rheumatoid arthritis, if there have been some findings as to the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, wouldn’t it make sense for suffers to up their intake? It certainly can’t hurt… and may actually help. Now please pass the broccoli with a side of grapefruit!
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.
About the author:
Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health
News and Medical Health
News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and
information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.
The latest information and news on Arthritis Advice :
Taking vitamin E supplements does not reduce a woman's risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an analysis of data from the Women's Health Study indicates.
Billy Bowden garners prestigious Arthritis Award (Scoop.co.nz)
Billy Bowden, internationally renowned cricket umpire, is set to receive the Arthritis New Zealand Business Development Award for his contribution, as ambassador for the charitable organisation.
Dr. Josh Dines and Dr. Rock Positano: Shoulder Arthritis Doesn't Mean The End...
Shoulder arthritis can be debilitating, but there are treatments that can get patients back to their previous level of activity.
Baker gets Arthritis Foundation ?Lifetime Achievement Award? (Swampscott Repo...
The Arthritis Foundation recently presented its highest honor, the Dr. John I. Sandson Lifetime Achievement Award, to Swampscott resident Charlie Baker, president and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
Healthwatch: Treatment for Arthritis (WTOK-TV Meridian)
A growing number of young people are being diagnosed with arthritis. But help is available for the young, as well as older patients.
UCB reports positive results from two Phase III arthritis trials (Pharmaceuti...
UCB, a biopharmaceutical and specialty chemical company, has announced the results of two Phase III studies, showing Cimzia, the only PEGylated anti-TNFalpha, provided significant clinical benefits as monotherapy, and in combination with methotrexate, in adults with active rheumatoid arthritis.
MedPredict's Rheumatology Panel Analyzes Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Gout...
MedPredict Market Research, a global provider of pharmaceutical competitive intelligence and market research, has published a new report providing critical strategic insight for pharma and biotech companies with a stake in the market for Rheumatoid Arthritis , lupus and gout therapies.
Local arthritis support group to meet Thursday (The Huntington Herald-Dispatch)
HUNTINGTON -- An arthritis support group meeting will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at St. Mary's Medical Center in the Heart Institute Building Room 205.
Easing the pain of knee arthritis (KATU Portland)
There are a few other promising therapies for osteo-arthritis of the knee, which is a painful and often debilitating condition. A new study reveals that nearly half of all Americans will suffer from it.
Arthritis Help for Horses (First Coast News)
TALLAHASSEE, FL -- If you have arthritis, you probably feel it more when the temperature drops...so what do you do to help relieve the pain?