Rheumatoid Arthritis and Diet: What is the Connection?
Ameer Rosic огTuesday April 15th 2014
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Where does Rheumatoid Arthritis come from? The answer may surprise you!
Do you have Rheumatoid Arthritis? If you do, then I advise you to read this, for it might change the course of your life. In this article, I will break down in simple steps, the reasons why Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) might be caused by your diet.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and diet connection
The next million-dollar question is: What causes RA? In my humble opinion, it is caused by a combination of proteins from food put together with gut permeability. To put the icing on top, add in autoimmune issues. Now before we begin to list which foods may cause RA, I assume already that you are eating a clean Paleo/primal diet. That means NO processed sugar, NO processed foods and you are focusing on grassfed meats, veggies, fruits and tubers. That being said, if you are not...you should! The foods listed below have all been found to have a connection with RA in one form or another. Many people report AMAZING benefits from excluding the foods listed below. I say it doesn't hurt to try.
Gluten Why gluten? Consider the fact that RA is also connected to autoimmune issues, and we know in studies that Gluten may cause AI problems for some. (1) That being said, a very cool study was done showing that on a Vegan, Gluten-free diet, RA markers improved. Now, don't jump the gun and start a vegan diet. (2) I don't advise anyone starting a diet without proper planning and education. It's very simple that the Gluten protein is causing inflammation in your body, directly or indirectly, through gut permeability. Time to cut it out!
Dairy--friend or foe? When I speak about dairy for RA, I even speak about the raw form. As I have seen in my own practice (and in some studies) that any form of dairy may be problematic for RA-prone individuals. But, why? 1 - Dairy has been shown to cause IgM and Immune activation towards RA. 2 - In summary, dietary peptide fragments, derived from proteins are capable of stimulating T-cells in an HLA restricted manner. Pretty much the proteins in the milk may create issues with your immune system, causing a flare up with RA.
Coffee Yes, coffee. I know it sucks, but it is the truth, some just can't handle the coffee. Coffee consumption may be a risk factor for RA, possibly through mechanisms contributing to the production of Rheumatoid Factor (RF). This hypothesis remains to be tested in further studies.
Nightshades There haven't been any studies showing that Nightshades are directly linked to RA. However, many people feel much better limiting these foods.
What are nightshades? • Potatoes • Tomatoes • Sweet and hot peppers • Eggplant • Tomatillos • Tamarios • Pepinos • Pimentos • Paprika • Cayenne peppers Substances in these foods, called alkaloids, can impact nerve-muscle function and digestive function in animals and humans, and may also be able to compromise joint function.
Summary If you suspect you have Rheumatoid Arthritis, then go get the RA blood test. Eliminate all of the above food groups and concentrate on a Paleo autoimmune protocol. Rinse, wash and repeat. Always be cautious and weary of your progress. I hoped this shined some light on why there is such a prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis. The more you know the more you grow.
Ameer Rosic
Ameer Rosic is obsessed with health. A Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Functional Diagnostic Practitioner and Functional Medicine Practitioner, Ameer has spent years empowering himself with knowledge about optimal health, and now his passion is to share that with you! From interviews with top health experts to fitness and nutritional advice and more, Ameer Rosic can help you live a life of optimal health!
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