5 Foods Rheumatoid Arthritis Should Avoid

 

1 / 6   Eat Less of These Foods To Feel Better

It's time to kick that morning donut and coffee habit. Research shows that eating particular foods — like sugary treats and certain caffeinated beverages — may worsen rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
There are many drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but don't ignore the simpler ways of reducing RA pain, like diet modification. Though the research surrounding diet and rheumatoid arthritis is still inconclusive, many doctors recommend cutting out common foods that trigger RA symptoms to see if it helps your joints.
"As of now, there is no agreed upon diet for rheumatoid arthritis, but there are some people who do seem to have food sensitivities," says Clement Michet, Jr., MD, a rheumatologist and professor at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Patients may have different tolerance for various foods, so it's not possible to recommend a single diet across the board. But here are five foods commonly reported to aggravate arthritis symptoms.
 

 

2 / 6   Eat, Drink Less Dairy

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may flare in response to specific proteins found in dairy products. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis who report intolerance to milk have antibodies to milk proteins, Dr. Michet said. The body forms these antibodies to protect itself from what it mistakenly perceives as a harmful substance, but the antibodies attack other parts of the body in addition to the milk. Cut dairy products from your diet to see if that reduces your RA symptoms.
"Try rice, cashew, or almond milk as anti-inflammatory alternatives," says Ulka Agarwal, MD, staff psychiatrist at George Washington University in Washington, DC, who advocates a vegan diet.  Cut milk-based products from your diet to see if it helps your pain.
 

 

3 / 6   Cut Back on Meat

Changing from a meat-heavy to a vegetarian diet often improves RA symptoms. Meat consumption is associated with higher overall fat and calorie intake, which are markers for an unhealthy diet. The fats in meat are more easily metabolized into pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body, Michet says. Production of these inflammatory chemicals is good in certain circumstances like when you're fighting an infection — but they can also cause painful inflammation and swelling in spaces like your joints. Instead of eating meat exclusively, supplement your diet with plant sources of protein such as beans, lentils, and soy, Dr. Agarwal says.
 

 

4 / 6   Go Easy on Gluten

Research shows that some people with rheumatoid arthritis also have celiac disease, which is triggered by gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains that gives dough a chewy texture. When someone has celiac disease, eating gluten causes an immune reaction in the small intestine that can lead to bloating and diarrhea.
In some people, the inflammatory reaction may extend to the joints, which only aggravates rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. While dietary interventions for rheumatoid arthritis remain controversial, the gluten-free trend is showing some positive results, notably the easing of celiac rheumatic symptoms, according to research published in September 2016 in Autoimmunity Reviews. But before trying a gluten-free diet, get tested for celiac disease, Michet suggests.
 

 

5 / 6   Skip Refined Sugars And Sweets

While certain carbohydrates are an essential part of our diets, refined sugars and sweets are not, as much as we may enjoy them. Refined sugars, such as high fructose corn syrup, are empty calories devoid of any nutrients and detrimental to our bodies.
"It's a poison by itself," says Robert Lustig, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist and professor at the University of California, San Francisco. Cutting down on refined sugar is even more important for people with rheumatoid arthritis because it drives more chronic inflammation, something people with RA don't need. Risks for diabetes and cardiovascular disease are also high for people living with RA, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol is crucial.
Mary Poppins was wrong, Dr. Lustig says: "Just a spoonful of sugar helps the blood pressure go up."
 

 

6 / 6   Limit Coffee And Other Caffeinated Beverages

America is powered by caffeine: Nearly 180 million people drink coffee in the United States, with 74% of the adult population partaking, according to the 2016 NCA National Coffee Drinking Trends study. The health effects of coffee are controversial, especially in regard to rheumatoid arthritis. Large population studies show conflicting results and are inconclusive. However, coffee drinking was linked to the development of anti-cyclic citrllinated protein, a specific subtype of RA, according to a study published in July 2006 in Arthritis Research & Therapy. While research is still ongoing, you may want to consider tossing that coffee mug as your own experiment.
 

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. But recent discoveries indicate that remission of symptoms is more likely when treatment begins early with strong medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

Medications

The types of medications recommended by your doctor will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how long you've had rheumatoid arthritis.

• NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription. Side effects may include ringing in your ears, stomach irritation, heart problems, and liver and kidney damage.
• Steroids. Corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, reduce inflammation and pain and slow joint damage. Side effects may include thinning of bones, weight gain and diabetes. Doctors often prescribe a corticosteroid to relieve acute symptoms, with the goal of gradually tapering off the medication.
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These drugs can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and save the joints and other tissues from permanent damage. Common DMARDs include methotrexate (Trexall, Otrexup, Rasuvo), leflunomide (Arava), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).
  Side effects vary but may include liver damage, bone marrow suppression and severe lung infections.
  
• Biologic agents. Also known as biologic response modifiers, this newer class of DMARDs includes abatacept (Orencia), adalimumab (Humira), anakinra (Kineret), certolizumab (Cimzia), etanercept (Enbrel), golimumab (Simponi), infliximab (Remicade), rituximab (Rituxan), tocilizumab (Actemra) and tofacitinib (Xeljanz).
  These drugs can target parts of the immune system that trigger inflammation that causes joint and tissue damage. These types of drugs also increase the risk of infections.
  Biologic DMARDs are usually most effective when paired with a nonbiologic DMARD, such as methotrexate.
  

Therapy

Your doctor may send you to a physical or occupational therapist who can teach you exercises to help keep your joints flexible. The therapist may also suggest new ways to do daily tasks, which will be easier on your joints. For example, if your fingers are sore, you may want to pick up an object using your forearms.
Assistive devices can make it easier to avoid stressing your painful joints. For instance, a kitchen knife equipped with a saw handle helps protect your finger and wrist joints. Certain tools, such as buttonhooks, can make it easier to get dressed. Catalogs and medical supply stores are good places to look for ideas.

Surgery

If medications fail to prevent or slow joint damage, you and your doctor may consider surgery to repair damaged joints. Surgery may help restore your ability to use your joint. It can also reduce pain and correct deformities.
Rheumatoid arthritis surgery may involve one or more of the following procedures:

• Synovectomy. Surgery to remove the inflamed synovium (lining of the joint). Synovectomy can be performed on knees, elbows, wrists, fingers and hips.
• Tendon repair. Inflammation and joint damage may cause tendons around your joint to loosen or rupture. Your surgeon may be able to repair the tendons around your joint.
• Joint fusion. Surgically fusing a joint may be recommended to stabilize or realign a joint and for pain relief when a joint replacement isn't an option.
• Total joint replacement. During joint replacement surgery, your surgeon removes the damaged parts of your joint and inserts a prosthesis made of metal and plastic.

Surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection and pain. Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.

Alternative medicine

Some common complementary and alternative treatments that have shown promise for rheumatoid arthritis include:

• Fish oil. Some preliminary studies have found that fish oil supplements may reduce rheumatoid arthritis pain and stiffness. Side effects can include nausea, belching and a fishy taste in the mouth. Fish oil can interfere with medications, so check with your doctor first.
• Plant oils. The seeds of evening primrose, borage and black currant contain a type of fatty acid that may help with rheumatoid arthritis pain and morning stiffness. Side effects may include nausea, diarrhea and gas. Some plant oils can cause liver damage or interfere with medications, so check with your doctor first.
• Tai chi. This movement therapy involves gentle exercises and stretches combined with deep breathing. Many people use tai chi to relieve stress in their lives. Small studies have found that tai chi may reduce rheumatoid arthritis pain. When led by a knowledgeable instructor, tai chi is safe. But don't do any moves that cause pain.