Foods to avoid with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Foods based on meat and animal products are some of the worst foods for rheumatoid arthritis. These foods worsen the disease and also cause aggravation of the inflammation of the joints. For individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, it is very important to mark these foods as unhealthy foods in order to manage the ailments.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

In simple terms, it is an inflammation that occurs at joints regions whose cause is still unknown. This ailment is most frequent in middle aged women. And some of its symptoms are as follows:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the small joints of the feet and hands.
2. They produce inflammation and pain
3. They also cause functional disability and deformation of the joints.

Other symptoms include:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis patients tend to suffer from stomach ulcers
2. Loss of protein
3. They also tend to suffer from anemia
4. Malnutrition.

Because of this disease, there are certain foods that are seen as “worst foods for rheumatoid arthritis”.

In this post, I’m going to discuss some certain foods that worsen rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to know these foods, their purposes and effects.

In essence, these foods include:

1. Milk
2. Meat
3. Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Fried Foods
4. Processed Foods.
5. Pork
6. Egg
7. Alcohol
8. Sugar
9. Additives
10. Alcoholic Beverages
11. High-Fat diary and Cheese

Worst Foods To Avoid

Milk

Studies find that the activity of IgG and IgA antibodies against milk protein known as alpha-lactoalbumin is somewhat higher and greater in individuals who suffer rheumatoid arthritis.

This has led to the belief or speculation that milk seems to be one of the worst foods for rheumatoid arthritis since it may be a food responsible for the inflammatory reaction like those of rheumatoid arthritis.

Since this facts lack definitive research, it is important for rheumatic arthritis patients stay away from milk.

Meat

From experiences, vegetarian diet brings down the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis while a diet that comprises of animal products aggravates it. The high levels of arachidonic acid in meat is the reason behind this. Consequently, the body utilizes this fatty acid (arachidonic acid) to produce eicosanoids.

Therefore, the substances involved start off the first inflammatory processes.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Fried Foods

Fried foods seem high in trans fats regardless of the oil type used. Fried foods increase inflammation in the body.

The following types of oil should be avoided:

1. Butter
2. Lard
3. Margarine
4. Coconut oil

Several types of oil used for frying contain omega-6 fatty acids. Example: corn oil and vegetable oil. Therefore, oils and other types of fried foods are worst foods for rheumatoid arthritis.

Processed Foods

Some already-made foods, snacks and other types of foods that require minimal cooking or preparation are packed with substances or ingredients that are capable of causing inflammation. These products are packaged with saturated fats, refined sugar and these foods are quite unhealthy.

Therefore, we consider these foods as worst foods for rheumatoid arthritis.

Pork

Pork contains high levels of arachidonic acid and this has shown to be a cause of inflammation. It is recommended that individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis avoid pork.

 

 

Egg

The second richest food in arachidonic acid after meat is the egg. Both meat and egg contain substances that act to trigger inflammatory processes that may result from rheumatoid arthritis.

 

 

Alcohol

Alcohol intake in minimal consumption may be good for rheumatic arthritis patients. However, the regular intake of alcohol does not go well with rheumatoid arthritis meds. Some drugs such as naproxen and ibuprofen are capable of causing stomach bleeding and even ulcer.

Again, there could be liver damage if you drink alcohol drink while taking leflunomide, methotrexate or acetaminophen.

Sugar

Sugar intake makes the body to release chemicals known as cytokines that trigger the inflammation process. To be on a safer side, check food product labels with words that end in “ose” such as sucrose or fructose. They are packed with sugar.

Additives

Some food allergies are caused by additives and this can trigger inflammatory reaction of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the best thing is to avoid foods products that hold additives like coloring agents.

Alcoholic Beverages

Several alcoholic beverages aggravate rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases linked to rheumatoid disease.

High-Fat dairy and Cheese

According to webmd.com,cream cheese, butter, mayonnaise and margarine are quite high in advanced glycation end products and saturated fats. They are good at being inflammation triggers.

Therefore, consuming them should not be on the regular because with individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, they are seen as worst foods for rheumatoid arthritis.

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