Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that is autoimmune in nature. It affects a person’s entire body, especially the synovial membranes of the joints. RA begins to affect people in their 20s to 40s. Women are more often found with the condition than men. Knowing the symptoms and ways to support the body can be beneficial for those have rheumatoid arthritis.
Personal Story
Years ago, my pastor developed rheumatoid arthritis. He was about my age and I was concerned for him and the pain he was in. As he and his wife considered treatment options, they considered the risks and benefits of each. They then decided which path to take. The results were good, and his condition was much improved.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Tender, swollen, and warm joints
- Joint stiffness which is often worse in the morning and after inactivity
- Fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever
- Early rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect the smaller joints first — particularly the joints that attach fingers to hands and toes to feet.
- As the disease advances, symptoms can spread to a person’s ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. In many instances, the symptoms happen in the same joints on both sides of the body.
RA is diagnosed after observation over a six-week period of seven symptoms of the patient occurring for six weeks.
Nutritional Interventions
A person with a RA diagnosis might want to consider nutritional support to help them manage their symptoms.
- RA dietary interventions include eating a more “primitive, plant-based” diet; identifying and eliminating food allergies; and consuming essential fatty-acid containing cold-water fish, flavonoid-rich berries, and sulfur-rich foods, such as meat and poultry, fish, and legumes. The Mediterranean diet has been studied with good results for RA patients.
- To help the intestinal permeability and improve digestion, one who has RA might benefit from taking a digestive enzyme product when eating.
Supplemental Intervention
Some supplements which may well support the RA patient’s goals to control pain and to reduce inflammation:
- A study in 2005 showed benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce joint tenderness. Omega 3 fish oils can be from: salmon, mackerel, cod, herring, lake trout, or tuna.
- Turmeric is supported by clinical studies.
- Primrose or flax seed oil are vegetarian options.
RA Physical Interventions
Physical interventions include:
- Heat therapy- hot tubs and baths may provide some relief of symptoms.
- Exercise and physical therapy are important to maintain range of motion.
- Balneotherapy is the therapeutic use of mineral baths and mud packs.
- Ointments on joint- hot castor packs and raw lemon rubs may be beneficial.
Action
If you know someone with rheumatoid arthritis, please let them know there are natural options they might want to discuss with their doctor.
Resources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353648
May God bless your healthful endeavors!
Joni
P.S. Do you know anyone with RA?
Thank you for providing this information. I was wondering about the flavonoid rich berries? Could you name a few? Are there foods/foods to completely avoid with arthritis?
You’re welcome, Rebecca. Thank you for your great questions! Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and even pomegranates have shown positive benefits for lessening inflammation and pain in clinical studies of arthritis. In addition, some fruit polyphenols, such as citrus flavonoids and quercetin may help reduce RA symptoms.
Some foods to avoid are: sugars, refined carbohydrates, processed or fried foods, food cooked with high heat, foods containing corn oil, preservatives in food, and heavily salted food. These foods tend to cause inflammation in the body.
Replace those foods with healthy meal options.
Try to make sure your daily activities include regular exercise to encourage mobility and plenty of quality sleep so your body can heal and repair.