Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Diet Connection

I found out long ago how important your diet can be in managing the symptoms of RA. When I did have flare ups, I noticed they usually happened in the morning when my stomach was feeling queasy, as if I had eaten something the previous day that didn't agree with me.

I started to keep a record of what I was eating and what effect, if any, those foods had on my RA symptoms and general well being. The current literature at the time suggested RA sufferers generally stay away from the nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers), fried and spicy foods and some dairy products.

That is still good advice.

However what wasn't mentioned was how our bodies are all different and what can effect one person may not effect another. This usually has to do with stomach acid levels and how difficult it might be for someone to digest their food properly.

The Food Culprits

Through a long process of elimination and trial and error, here is what I found to be what I call the hot food items that really hammer me. Should I consume any foods containing the following items, I usually have very severe (joint) pain, inflammation and swelling within 30 to 45 minutes.

1. Paprika
2. Dill
3. Basil
4. MSG
5. Processed sugar

As you can imagine, a large spectrum of foods contain these items.

Paprika is a killer for me. When I started reading food ingredient labels I was shocked to see how many food items contained paprika!

Why? As far as I can tell the stuff has no flavor and does absolutely nothing to food except add some red color.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, the next time you eat a deviled egg covered with paprika, see how you might feel in an hour or so...

I discovered the effects of dill and basil quite by accident. I love to cook and I used a lot of basil in my cooking. When I stopped cooking with basil, my overall health improved.

And tell me, who doesn't like a warm, crisp dill pickle once in awhile.

MSG was a no brainer for me since it had always caused me to have heart palpitations. However, as I got older I noticed when I consumed foods containing MSG I also had increased joint pain and inflammation .

I always suspected processed sugar could cause digestion problems. Processed sugars actually change the level of acid in your stomach usually causing those levels to drop significantly such that it is difficult for your stomach to digest ANY foods properly.

Keep a Journal of What You Eat

Food allergies are nothing new but it is especially important for rheumatoid arthritics to take control of their diets and keep a record or journal of what they consume and how those foods may effect RA symptoms. You might be surprised to find how certain foods you eat regularly can dramatically increase your joint pain levels.

I am fully convinced that diet should be one of the most important areas of focus in RA studies and it certainly deserves much attention in assisting people who suffer from this disease.

Do your homework, educate yourself and learn how your diet may have a severe impact on your RA.