Treating painful arthritis

[Guest guest]

Treating painful arthritis

Date published: 3/27/2005

Q: I'm 29 years old and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age

16. I used to take fish oil tablets as recommended for rheumatoid

arthritis. Now looking back, I'm not sure if I was getting enough. I'm

curious if you recommend any fish oil supplement brand specifically,

and any other anti-inflammatory diet ideas you may have.

A: My heart is with you--rheumatoid arthritis is a painful disease.

When the body's immune system attacks joints, they can become swollen

and sometimes deformed, making everyday activities painful. About one

in 100 people has rheumatoid arthritis. It is less common than the

" wear-and-tear " type of osteoarthritis suffered by many older people.

As you know, the first line of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is

prescription medicine provided by your doctor. Good nutrition can

complement this treat-ment but not replace it.

There is limited evidence that emphasizing fish oil and avoiding trans

fats may be helpful. I don't recommend any particular brand of fish

oil. Certain vitamins and culinary herbs may also be helpful and have

anti-inflammatory effects.

Other important nondrug treatments include physical therapy and

exercise. Meditation and acupuncture may be helpful, as well.

Who's at risk

People who have rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to have been

smokers.

And a recent British study of 25,000 people showed that those who ate

the most red meat were twice as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

Scientists are unsure whether tobacco and meat actually trigger

rheumatoid arthritis or if they are just markers for a lifestyle that

is somehow linked to the disease. However, it could be helpful to to

avoid smoke, even secondhand smoke, and to substitute chicken, fish,

eggs and beans for red meat most of the time.

Eating lots of olive oil, oil-rich fish, fruits and vegetables seemed

to reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, according to another

British review.

Eating through the pain

A small study showed that a lacto-vegetarian diet may help decrease

symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. This involved avoiding meat, poultry

and eggs and instead eating milk, yogurt, cheese, fruits, vegetables

and grains. Participants also took fish oil supplements.

Scientists suggest people avoid trans fats, found in partially

hydrogenated oils like old-fashioned vegetable shortening, stick

margarine, and most commercially fried foods, such as french fries,

fried chicken and fish, doughnuts and the like. These are not only bad

for the heart, but are linked to inflammation.

Instead, these scientists urge people to eat anti-inflammatory fats

such as the omega-3 fats found in wild salmon, chunk light tuna,

mackerel, herring, sardines and other fish.

Food allergies trigger pain

Some people's rheumatoid arthritis may be aggravated by food allergies,

according to small, preliminary Turkish study published last November.

Consider asking an allergist for a skin-prick test for common food

allergens.

Vitamins ease pain

Getting enough vitamin D may help ease pain. The Iowa Women's Health

Study suggested that vitamin D is linked to a reduced risk of

developing rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D is found in fortified milk

and egg yolks; standard multivitamins are another good source.

Add helpful spices

Scientists are studying whether ginger and turmeric, the herb that

makes curry powder yellow, may help ease inflammation and arthritis.

While I wouldn't recommend buying capsules of these herbs, it wouldn't

hurt to season Asian-style stir-fried vegetables with ginger, or add

curry powder to chicken salad.

Pain-killing aerobics

Exercise can reduce pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis,

according to separate studies in Kansas and Israel.

A Dutch study found the exercise helps keeps people's bones strong when

they have rheumatoid arthritis. This is important, because the disease

increases risks of osteoporosis.

Prayer, meditation and spiritual practices can improve people's

tolerance for pain and views of their own health, according to an

article in Arthritis Today.

Being overweight can stress out swollen joints, so weight loss can also

help ease pain.

JENNIFER MOTL, a registered dietitian, welcomes reader questions.

E-mail her by filling out a form at brighteating.com; or write to

Nutrition, The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va.

22401.

Date published: 3/27/2005

http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2005/032005/03272005/1709890

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