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Rheumatoid arthritis diet: Do certain foods reduce symptoms?
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/AN00198
- With Mayo Clinic rheumatologist
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
Dr. April Chang-Miller is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology and is a consultant in the Division of Rheumatology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
Dr. Chang-Miller's primary field is rheumatology with special interests in inflammatory joint diseases called seronegative spondyloarthropathies, such as ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. She also cares for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.
The New York City native is a graduate of the Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Chang-Miller joined the Mayo Clinic staff in Rochester, Minn., in 1991, and in 2002 she relocated to Mayo Clinic in Arizona. She is a fellow in the American College of Rheumatology and has been on the board of directors of the Arthritis Foundation North Central Chapter.
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Question
Rheumatoid arthritis diet: Do certain foods reduce symptoms?
Can certain foods reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms?
Answer
from April Chang-Miller, M.D.
That's a million-dollar question. Despite years of study, no conclusive evidence exists to show that particular foods make rheumatoid arthritis symptoms flare up or decrease. Some research has shown a link between eating certain fish oils and reducing joint inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis, but more research is needed to assess this possible benefit.
It's smart to consider how your lifestyle might play a role in the ups and downs of rheumatoid arthritis. Being too heavy, for example, stresses your weight-bearing joints, increasing joint pain, stiffness and inflammation.
You can also stay away from any food that seems to make your symptoms worse. But don't exclude whole food groups or large numbers of foods without consulting a registered dietitian or your doctor.
Next questionMSM for arthritis pain: Is it safe?
- Goldberg RJ, et al. A meta-analysis of the analgesic effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for inflammatory joint pain. Pain. 2007;129:210.
- Smedslund G, et al. Effectiveness and safety of dietary interventions for rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2010;110:727.
- Hagen KB, et al. Dietary interventions for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009;CD006400. http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews. Accessed Oct. 31, 2011.
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