Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet
Are there any particular foods which should be included or excluded from the diet of an individual suffering from arthritis?
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRMedical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
First, there are many forms of arthritis, each of which differ in the do's and don'ts of diet. So, the answer is that it depends to some degree on the form of arthritis.
People with gouty arthritis should tend to avoid red meats, shellfish, alcohol, fructose (such as from corn syrup in soft drinks, etc.), and dehydration. At the same time, dairy products such as lowfat milk and yogurt, as well as adequate hydration, and cherries are encouraged in people with gout.
People with inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may benefit by taking the omega-3 fatty acids that are in the oils of fish, particularly salmon. Sometimes minimizing salt intake can reduce swelling in the tissues of the hands and feet that can aggravate inflammatory arthritis.
Both people with psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis can benefit from vitamin D supplementation. Those with osteoarthritis also might benefit from the food supplement glucosamine.
Resource links:
MedicineNet.com http://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis/article.htm
Livestrong.com http://www.livestrong.com/search/?mode=standard&search=ra
University of Michigan Health System - http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-1257001
(using holistic and natural food way)
University of Maryland Medical Center - http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000431.htm
University of Maryland Medical Center - http://www.umm.edu/search/index.htm?q=ra