Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that can affect a number of different body systems. We often think of it as a joint disorder but it can lead to problems in the skin, eyes and cardiovascular system. The inflammation associated with this condition is what leads to the joint destruction and health conditions in the body. Controlling the inflammation is a key piece of treatment.
The first and most important area to look at is diet. Diets that are high in processed foods, trans fats, sugar, gluten and dairy are pro-inflammatory. With a pro-inflammatory diet we are setting ourselves up for problems. Simply switching to an anti-inflammatory diet can make a big difference in the symptom presentation for patients. The diet should be high in fruits and vegetables which not only provide anti-oxidants but also are a good source of fiber. It should contain lean meats, fish and good fats such as olive oil which are high in omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are helpful in bringing down C-reactive protein which is an inflammatory marker in the blood. So to re-cap:
Foods you need to start consuming:
o Healthy, Omega-3 Fats
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Nuts & Seeds
o Lean Meats
- Chicken
- Seafood
- Bison
- Turkey
o Fruit & Vegetables
- ALL OF THEM! (Do not discriminate!)
Foods you need to get rid of:
o Processed, pre-packaged food (if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, you probably should not consume it)
o Trans-Fat
- Vegetable Oil and all other hydrogenated oils
o Sugar (Including juice and sodas)
o Gluten
- Pasta
- Bread
o Dairy
In the office the pieces of equipment that we have that are the best at working with inflammation would be the cryosauna and the cold laser. The cryosauna would be better for body wide inflammatory reactions and the laser would be better on specific areas that are causing problems. In addition to that there is some evidence that shows benefits for using hyperbaric oxygen therapy. It helps with pain, helps regulate the immune response and can lower the blood sedimentation rate and is helpful in the repair of diseased joints.
At home the use of Epsom salt can be beneficial to regulate swelling, but the most important thing at home would be looking at diet.
Lifestyle changes are most effective at battling this condition and less harmful and costly than any prescription medication. If a lifestyle re-set is in order, check out 8 Weeks to Wellness. We’ve helped dozens of patients get back to a healthier place in life with this eight-week program and we are very proud of the results because we do not require any sort of crazy diet pill. These are all-natural, amazing results that have shown to reduce symptoms.
Let me know how I can help – Dr. Rob