6 Foods to Avoid When You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis

Suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis has emerged as one of the most common problems recently. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect human joints and sometimes develops severe problems in the body system. If the situation becomes severe, rheumatoid arthritis can damage different body parts like the eyes, lungs, skin, and blood vessels. As per experts, rheumatoid arthritis attacks the body system of a person's body tissues erroneously.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA)

Normally a person's immune system helps to stay away from any disease. However, Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that targets the healthy tissues of every joint of the human body. Once this problem becomes severe, it can effect on heart, lungs, skin, eyes, etc.

Doctors are not aware of the exact cause of Rheumatoid arthritis. Many experts feel that heredity can develop this health issue, or sometimes external factors like bacteria, viruses, or emotional stress can also develop this situation.

Foods to Avoid if you are Suffering From RA

Once individuals start suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, it is hard to find any proper and permanent solution to this problem. Doctors will ask the patients for some medications; however, it is always suggested to stick to a nutritional diet to get relief from this disease. Here all can check the list of foods that should be avoided if anyone has Rheumatoid arthritis.

Limit Sugar Intake

An arthritis patient should avoid consuming excess sugar. Especially added sugar is found in soda, candy, or ice cream. As per research, it has been noticed that most RA patients consume foods having added sugar like deserts, soda, etc. Again, the consumption of fructose-sweetened drinks can also enhance the chances of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Individuals who consume Fructose-sweetened drinks 5 times per week are likelier to suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Red Meat

Red meat and processed meat can cause inflammation, and consumption of these foods can enhance the symptoms of arthritis. Red meats contain high inflammatory materials like C-reactive protein, Homocysteine, etc. Many researchers mention that processed meats can worsen the situation of RA. Huge numbers of people who consume excess red meats are more likely to suffer from inflammatory arthritis.

Refined flour- Refined flours or grains contain inflammatory properties. Consumption of refined four can cause inflammation in the blood, and it enhances arthritis symptoms. Besides, excess consumption of refined flour can also increase other health issues like heart problems, diabetes, etc. Refined flour can cause inflammation in the blood sugar and enhance arthritis symptoms. Several dishes are made with refined flour, like pasta, white rice etc, and these can worsen the arthritis situation and can adversely impact your joints.

Processed and Fried Foods

Consumption of fried and processed foods can enhance the symptoms of RA. As per the research done by Mount Sinai School of Medicine, fried foods contain a toxin which is known as AGEs or advanced glycation end products. These toxins develop over oxidation, and they can enhance the oxidation within the body cells. Fried food is extremely rich in Fat, and it increases obesity in individuals. Besides rheumatoid arthritis, excess oxidation can also develop other health issues. Experts suggest using air fryers to avoid extra oil to consume.

Excess Alcohol

Excess consumption of alcohol seems to have an adverse effect on patients who are suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis. Consuming too much alcohol can enhance the CRP or C-reactive protein in the body. As per the research made by Lacet, it has been revealed that excess alcohol can increase inflammation and it can deteriorate the arthritis situation. Besides deteriorating the situation of RA, alcohol can also develop other health issues like liver problems, deteriorating mental health problems, high blood pressure, etc.

Avoid Foods Containing Gluten

Gluten is found in Barley, rye, etc, and it is a group of proteins. Some research has revealed that Gluten is linked to enhancement in inflammation in the body cells, and hence it is suggested to opt for gluten-free meals to decrease arthritis problems. Individuals who are suffering from celiac disease are at a greater risk of generating RA. Again it has been noticed that people who suffer from celiac disease can often suffer from joint pain or inflammation. Here one should opt for a gluten-free diet for some weeks to check whether it helps in reducing inflammation or not.

Low salt Intake

Salt can also cause inflammation in the body and can enhance the situation of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Experts suggest that one should not consume more than 15 mg of salt daily. Salt contains sodium, and excess sodium can lead to water retention in the joints of the body, and individuals can suffer from painful swelling. This painful joint pain can enhance the situation of rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Individuals who suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis face the following symptoms.

• Patients may suffer from pain or aching

• Individuals can feel stiffness in more than one joint.

• Suffering from tenderness and excess swelling in more than one joint.

• Weight loss and fever can be part of RA.

• Individuals can also suffer from fatigue and tiredness

• Weakness is part of Rheumatoid arthritis.

Diagnosis and Treatment

As per doctors, RA is not easy to diagnose during its primary stage. Once any person suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis, they will conduct some physical examinations like checking the swelling, redness, and warmth of the knee. Probable processes to diagnose RA are mentioned as follows.

• Blood Test- A blood test will help to detect the presence of CRP or C-reactive protein and ESR in the blood. The blood test also detects the presence of anti-CCP and other rheumatoid factors in the blood.

• X-Rays- X-rays or imaging tests will help doctors to understand the status and progress of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

 Depending on the diagnosis, the experts will suggest necessary treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis. As per doctors, there is no exact medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, doctors recommend the medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for RA treatment. However, this drug may effect on heart and kidneys.

Besides, doctors also suggest steroid medications to reduce inflammation and lower joint pain. The expert also recommends doing some particular physical activities to reduce joint pain and inflammation.