2023-03-05T17:41:44
Modern and Ayurvedic diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the lining of joints, including hands and feet and swelling that leads to various joint problems. The basic and effective way to avoid this is by following a rheumatoid arthritis diet plan. Rheumatoid arthritis diet chart is prescribed by the doctor or dietitian to provide some relief from the joint pains. 1.Fish contains oil and omega 3 fatty acids that can help to get relief from pain. Make sure that you include cold- water fishes like salmon, tuna, mackerel in your diet plan. Research also says that fish oil can relieve you from stiffness and tender joint pains. 2.Another way to reduce inflammation is including high fibrous fruits and vegetables and whole grain in your meal plan for rheumatoid arthritis. This reduces the levels of reactors in blood that cause inflammation. 3.The extra virgin olive oil contains components that can further help you reduce inflammation and relief from rheumatoid arthritis. 4.People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can always opt for a Mediterranean diet chart that is rich in seafood, vegetables and nuts which can be the best one to cure or attain relief. 5.You can always include raw or moderately cooked vegetables, seasonal fruits, spices like ginger and turmeric, yoghurt to get faster relief from rheumatoid arthritis. 6.Include high calcium rich foods (beans, milk, cheese, tofu, fish, dry fruits) Eat fresh, alkalizing vegetables and fruits every day, preferably organic. 7.Prefer home made foods over outside foods. Do check for iodine content on food labels. Include omega-3 rich foods such as fish, walnuts, almonds, flax seeds, olive oil, canola oil. Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet Restrictions: The food stuffs that limit calcium absorption should be limited. 1.Phytates: Found in nuts, seeds and grains. They easily bind to calcium therefore limiting its availability for absorption. Try not to eat phytate-containing foods and dairy foods together. 2.Oxalates: Found in sweet potatoes, rhubarb, spinach and beetroot. Very reactive molecules. Bind to calcium therefore reducing its absorption. Interfere with calcium storage in cells. 3.Alcohol: Interferes with vitamin D activation by the liver and kidneys. Inhibits vitamin D activating enzymes in the liver. It is a diuretic therefore it increases calcium excretion through urine. Increases Parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and therefore decreases calcium reserves in the body. Try to limit your alcohol intake. 4.Caffeine: It is believed that caffeine decreases calcium absorption by interfering with vitamin D absoprtion. Caffeine is also a diuretic therefore it increases calcium excretion in the urine. Avoid consumption of caffeinated products. Limit the intake of phosphorus containing foods- meat, soft drinks. Never consume Iron rich foods along with calcium rich foods as that might lead to malabsorption. Foods with high levels of oxalic acid such as spinach, collard greens, sweet potatoes, rhubarb and beans prevent calcium absorption. So don't consume calcium rich foods along with these foods. Ayurvedic diet for arthritis Importance of Diet Diet for rheumatoid arthritis is very important in its treatment. Rheumatoid arthritis is a complex and chronic disease, involving many systems. In Ayurvedic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, diet advice is as important as Panchakarma therapy and Ayurvedic medicines. Since Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease (long-standing), the dietary restrictions are to be observed for a long period of time as well. In Ayurvedic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, diet plays an important role in improving the joint health and to keep control on swelling and pain. Since Ayurveda believes that the root cause of rheumatoid arthritis lies in impaired digestion and metabolism, the rheumatoid arthritis diet is also targeted to improve the same. Ayurveda advises the following food items to be included in rheumatoid arthritis. 1.Garlic: Recent study states that the micro nutrients of garlic helps in preventing arthritic changes of bones. 2.Buttermilk: Curds is a food item to avoid, but buttermilk is good for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Two garlic pearls with 2 ounces of buttermilk is an excellent daily drink and home remedy for rheumatoid arthritis. 3.Ginger, long pepper and pepper - These three help to correct digestion and metabolism, hence recommended for daily usage in rheumatoid arthritis patients. 4.Barley, horse gram: Both these are very easy to adopt in diet. 5.Drum stick tree: fruit and leaves, being rich in calcium & vitamin C, is highly recommended in Rheumatoid arthritis. 6.Bitter gourd (Bitter melon): It improves digestion, is very low in calories and a good source of Vitamin B1, 2 & 3. It is a good detoxifying herb and is traditionally indicated in the diet for rheumatoid arthritis. 7.Hot water: Hot water drinking is beneficial to improve digestion. Regular drinking of hot water helps to bring lightness to the joints and improves flexibility in Rheumatoid arthritic 8.Castor oil: Castor oil’s ricinoleic acid reduces swelling and pain caused by inflammation. Research suggests that, when applied to the skin, castor oil may reduce arthritis symptoms more effectively than prescription topical treatments. Castor oil taken internally also help to reduce the symptoms. Foods and habits to avoid Anything that is heavy to digest, that takes long time to digest, is to be avoided. Ayurveda enlists the following food to avoid in Rheumatoid arthritis - 1. Curds: Curds are not ideal to take in Rheumatoid arthritis as it affects stomach health. 2. Fishes - are to be avoided. But a few research articles show that fish oil, rich in omega 3 fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can reduce stiffness, pain and inflammation. 3. A green leafy vegetable called Indian spinach [Basella rubra (Basale soppu in Kannada)] is to be avoided 4. Contaminated water, cold water, frozen food stuff - causes increase in Vata and Kapha leading to increase in pain and stiffness. 5. Taking contrast foods such as - taking milk with fish, etc. 6.Black gram 7. Avoiding natural urges causes increase in Vata. It causes increase in vata, which is not good in Rheumatoid Arthritis. 8. Skipping night sleep - It causes utter Vata imbalance, which is highly unrecommended in RA. 9. High fat meat, mutton etc.increase in vata, kapha which is not good in Rheumatoid Arthritis. 10. Food that are heavy to digest, deep-fried stuff, junk foods, aerated drinks are a strictly avoid in RA. 11. Oil massage - Ayurveda is not all about pouring oils and rubbing on body. In Rheumatoid arthritis, oil massage is not advised, instead of oil massage dry massage like using sand or nirgundi leaves (vitex nigundo) is helpful.