Malnutrition In Ra Patients
Patients with RA are often at a higher risk of malnutrition for multiple reasons. First of all, weight loss is a common symptom in RA patients. Its thought to be due to the autoimmune condition itself producing inflammatory responses which cause an increase in metabolic rate. This means that the body burns through more calories than normal, which can lead to weight loss. This is not considered healthy weight loss. This type of weight loss can potentially leave the patient undernourished or malnourished.
Secondly, many patients taking the common disease-modifying antirheumatic drug called methotrexate, have been known to have a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals. Many RA medications produce side effects such as stomach ulcers and other digestive concerns which can make it difficult to eat. These conditions combined with weight loss further compound the problems of malnourishment in patients. Some of the most common nutrient deficiencies in RA include a lack of the following vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin B6
- Magnesium
- Selenium
A proper diet for RA that is rich in these vitamins and minerals is important for keeping patients healthy.
Finally, many RA patients are at risk of developing osteoporosis, a weakening of the bones caused by a calcium or vitamin D deficiency. RA patients should be aware of this potential risk and ensure their diet accounts for this potential deficiency.
Best Foods For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Making healthy food choices can help reduce inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis.
Diet wont cure rheumatoid arthritis , but the right food choices can help by controlling the inflammation that wreaks havoc in the body, delivering nutrients your body needs and helping you maintain a healthy weight. Thats important because excess weight adds to pressure on achy joints and can make certain RA meds less effective. Whats more, body fat produces proteins called cytokines that promote inflammation.
Studies show that a Mediterranean diet, with lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats is a good choice for people with RA. Heres a look at some foods you should be eating.
Fatty fish. Salmon, tuna, sardines, herring and other cold-water fish are rich in omega -3 fatty acids, which may help control inflammation. Your body needs a healthy balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Researchers have found that a greater ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s is associated with an increase in chronic inflammatory diseases like RA. So its important to reduce omega-6s which may provoke inflammation and are found in meats, certain oils and in fried and processed foods that contain those oils and increase omega-3s.
For more information about healthy eating for arthritis, click here.
You can also view past webinars about good nutrition for arthritis, here.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Related Articles
Probiotics To Reverse Rheumatoid Arthritis
As with most ailments your diet is very important. Probiotics are living microorganisms and provide health benefits when taken in the right amounts. They help colonize your gut with health-friendly bacteria. You find them in a range of different foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh and kimchi.
One type of probiotic is kombucha, a fermented mixture of yeast and bacteria taken in the form of a tea. Certain types of yeast can also act like probiotics. Thats because different probiotics address different health conditions. Talk to your nutritionist or doctor. They also need to ensure that that they dont react with any medication you may be taking.
Supplements can also contain probiotics . Some supplements contain a range of different probiotics. Again, seek advice from a nutritionist if you want to reverse rheumatoid arthritis.
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Eliminatinate Sciatic Pain Sciatica Sos
The treatment is designed to release tension in your joints, muscles, tendons, and nerves that are being built up every time you experience jolts of pain caused by sciatica. The medicine aims to heal the afflicted areas, rather than just strengthening the muscles but not fighting the source of pain.
How To Tell If A Flare
How can you tell when a flare-up is on its way?
At first, the beginning of a flare-up is similar to the crummy feeling you get when you have a fever or infection.
On top of that, you may notice redness and swelling in the joints and severe morning stiffness.
In general, flare-ups can be unpredictable and often happen after stressful events. In fact, the trigger event can be physical or emotional .
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Consider Learning More About Medical Marijuana
If you grew up in the just say no era, you might be hesitant to try this remedy, but it may help RA patients, says Jordan Tishler, MD, a Harvard-trained emergency medicine physician and founder of InhaleMD. There are certain types of cannabis specifically grown for medicinal purposes that might help treat the pain of RA pain, he says.
I have seen improvements for patients in pain control, stiffness, and increased mobility with cannabis, he says. Most importantly, I have seen significant improvement in reported quality of life., and according to a new Medscape poll, 80 percent of health care providers say it should legalized nationally.
If you are interested in trying cannabis and its legal in your state, talk to your doctor or another provider whos experienced in this area. There are many different strains of the plant, and cannabis products contain varying ratios of the active ingredients CBD to THC . Its important to remember that cannabis can interact with other medications you may take or affect other health conditions you have, so make sure to talk to your doctor before you explore this option.
Boost Nutrition With Supplements
Many people will say that if you are eating a healthy diet, you dont need to supplement. However, if you have an autoimmune condition you need some extra help. Besides, even the best organic vegetables may be grown in soil which has been depleted of some key nutrients.
One of the good things about rheumatoid arthritis is that it is a well-studied disease and the efficacy, or usefulness, of some common vitamins and supplements have been studied in clinical trials. Still, discuss your need for supplements with your health practitioner.
Here are the ones that I personally have used:
-
Curcumin
-
Omega 3 Fish Oil
-
Magnesium
-
Zinc
I have used other supplements for periods of time along my journey based on the recommendation of my functional medicine practitioner.
When it comes to supplements, you get what you pay for. Cheaper brands are likely just a waste of money so its best to buy from a reputable supplier.
Although I did take a probiotic at first, this probably was not helpful for me and may even have made my situation worse because I had a bacterial overgrowth in my gut of which I was unaware. My practitioner advised it is probably better to get probiotics through fermented foods rather than supplementation.
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Work With A Health Coach
When I began my healing journey, I didnt know about health coaching. If I did my path to vitality would have been so much quicker! Food and lifestyle changes arent easy and that is where a health coach helps. She can help identify goals to work on, help with motivation to stay on track, identify blind spots and approaches to healing which you may not have considered.
Knowing the importance of having health coach when making major food and lifestyle changes is what motivated me to become one!
How To Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Naturally
Aches and pains are a natural part of life, especially as you get older. But for many people, the situation is much worse. Sadly, oneout of every 100 peoplewill develop rheumatoid arthritis .
Believe it or not, this type of arthritis affects 1.3 to 1.5 million Americans, and patients have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and lymphoma.
Fortunately, there are plenty of natural treatments to help reduce symptoms and get you back on your feet. But before we jump into treatments, lets learn a little bit more about what causes RA.
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The Hidden Cause Of Acne
A few months later, a friend of mine, Melissa Gardner emailed me a copy of her brand new book, The Hidden Cause of Acne, asking me if Id consider reading it.
I had known Melissa for nearly a decade. I met her in my earliest days of blogging. She had a blog called The Cellulite Investigation. On that blog, she was investigating cellulite and possible dietary and/or environmental causes. I always loved her blog and respected her as an investigative journalist.
The Hidden Cause of Acne was a revelation! It was the answer that I had been seeking for Jennifer.
This was the missing piece for so many people who were not recovering. The answer: fluoride.
In The Hidden Cause of Acne, , Melissa Gardner explains how she discovered it was fluoride that was causing her chronic acne and cellulite.
You can watch my video interview with Melissa here:
I also wrote a review of the book, The Hidden Cause of Acne.
Meditation For Pain Management
Meditation is an ancient mind and body practice in Buddhism and other Eastern religions. It puts your focus and attention on the current moment so life’s distractions do not get in your way.
Meditation has many benefits, including:
- Increases calmness and relaxation
- Helps people cope with illness
- Enhances overall well-being
In addition, research shows meditation can help manage chronic pain associated with conditions like OA and RA.
In a 2016 review of literature, researchers evaluated the use of mindfulness-based mediation’s effects on pain management. They found that mindfulness meditation reduced pain for people with chronic conditions. However, researchers found that short-term was more effective at pain control than longer-term meditation.
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What Are Natural Remedies For Ra
Natural remedies often fall under the category of complementary and alternative medicine, meaning they are used in addition to or instead of standard Western medicines. These remedies include traditional Chinese medicine , along with other supplements.
Interest in natural remedies is driven by the fact that herbs and supplements are more easily available, more affordable, and may have fewer side effects than many medications. Though natural herbs and techniques have existed for centuries, we are still learning how they work and if they can be helpful for certain diseases. Interestingly, a systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 studies found evidence that Chinese medicines appeared to protect bone density in people with RA.
There are many herbs, supplements, and techniques considered complementary medicine, and some of the more popular ones are discussed below. While there is promising research on some of these treatments, more study is needed to fully understand how well they work.
Natural remedies are not a cure for RA and should not replace the medications prescribed to you by a rheumatologist. Depending on your circumstances, they may be used along with medications to reduce arthritis symptoms like joint pain and inflammation. Always follow the medical advice of your doctor, and remember that just because something is natural does not necessarily mean that it is safe.
Other Alternative Ways To Manage Ra
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but the disease can be managed with a combination of early treatment, medication, and a healthcare providers supervision. Other ways to manage rheumatoid arthritis include physical or occupational therapy and assistive devices that will help prevent your joints from being overworked.
Hot or cold compresses can also ease pain for some. Healthcare providers recommend regular exercise to strengthen the muscles around the joints.
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Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Despite the natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, some people do need additional medication or treatment to treat the condition.
Years ago, aspirin was a mainstay of therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. The problem is it doesnt modify the disease, says Dr. Rosian. It helps with the inflammation, but it doesnt slow the progression. And it gives people lots of bruising and bleeding at the doses that you need to take it.
However, people living with rheumatoid arthritis have more options today. There are more disease-modifying treatments for rheumatoid arthritis now than there ever have been, says Dr. Rosian. Common treatments include anti-inflammatory meds and prednisone, as well as more directed treatments, like immunosuppressive medicines and new families of biologics and oral biologics and injectable medications, she adds.
Its a different disease than it used to be 20, 30 years ago, notes Dr. Rosian. There are so many good medications that slow down the disease. I like to use the phrase remission on meds. People dont develop joint erosions. People dont look like they ever have rheumatoid arthritis if we can detect it and we treat them early.
Create An Arsenal Of Essential Oils
Certain natural oils like eucalyptus oil, frankincense, and lavender oil have been shown in small studies to have a positive effect on reducing arthritis pain, alone or in conjunction with massage therapy. Before diving into the world of essential oils, be sure to check with a professional to make sure the oil youre using is safe and wont interfere with any medication. Just a drop or two goes a long way, and youll want to dilute them with a carrier oil before applying on your skin.
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Make Time For Deep Relaxation
This is similar to self-care, but the goal was to really focus on getting the mind relaxed so that the nervous system could be in the rest-and-digest mode rather than the fight-or-flight mode.
I used deep breathing or meditation to get into a relaxed state. When in this state, I would feel no pain so I tried to do this many times during the day, increasing the length of time where I experienced no pain. I especially liked to listen to guided healing meditations and imagining the healing that was happening in my body.
Basics About Vitamins And Minerals
Vitamins are chemicals that our bodies need to maintain health. Except for vitamin D, which is produced in our bodies when were exposed to sun , we typically get our daily requirement of vitamins from dietary sources . Minerals are inorganic substances.
There is general agreement that consuming the recommended daily allowance of basic vitamins and minerals is needed to stay healthy. There is controversy, however, about whether some people should take more than the RDA of certain vitamins and minerals. Getting too much of some vitamins and minerals may be dangerous to general health. This is why it is important to talk to your doctor before you take any vitamin or mineral supplement .
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Achieving A Moderate Weight
The AF reports that the pressure on joints is about one-and-a-half times a persons body weight with every step on a flat surface. In people with arthritis, that increases to about four times an individuals body weight.
A 5 pound reduction in body weight can reduce the stress on a persons joints by about 20 lb. This could result in significant pain reduction and help to preserve the remaining joint cartilage.
Omega-3s are a type of essential fatty acid. They are available in fish oil supplements and also in vegetarian forms. When someone takes omega-3s, the body converts them into an anti-inflammatory.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Wrist Pain & Tips On How To Control It
When rheumatoid arthritis sets in, both wrists may become swollen, red, and very warm.
You may have difficulty bending your wrists back.
Stiffness will occur, usually in the morning, and it may take a couple of hours to work that stiffness out.
When rheumatoid arthritis becomes advanced, the wrists may become deformed as the bones lose their ability to move against each other.
These deformities affect the biomechanics of your hands, compromising your ability to grasp and carry objects, open doors, hold a pen, and many other tasks.
Keeping your hands ready for functional tasks can be difficult, especially when wrist pain radiates to your fingers.
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Where To Buy Lab Grade Products
There are a lot of extremely inferior products on the market. Still worse, many of the cheap herbal supplements found in Amazon.com and on the shelves of local drugstores are not inspected by third party regulators with FDA oversight. The majority are selling weakly concentrated ingredients, and there is growing concern that many products are testing in the danger zone for toxic chemicals and fillers.
Below are two companies that weve tested and found to produce lab grade turmeric and boswellia serrata. Their cost is higher due to the quality of ingredients and their strict self-imposed testing standards. Still, the cost is small compared to prices of pharmaceuticals.
Natural Remedies To Avoid
Not every natural remedy touted to treat rheumatoid arthritis is safe or effective. For example, Dr. Rosian says supplements such as glucosamine and MSM likely dont have much of an impact.
You should also steer clear of any supplement that says its an immune booster. This sounds counterintuitive, but people should avoid immune boosters, Dr. Rosian adds. This can boost your whole immune system.While that might sound like a good thing, this has the potential for unintended bad side effects, she notes. People living with rheumatoid arthritis dont have a weak immune system. They have a dysfunctional immune system. So, itll boost the good parts of their immune system and also boost the part thats not functioning properly.
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Natural Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Doctors practicing conventional medicine commonly use a combination of prescription drugs like anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, biologic agents that alter the immune system or painkillers to help control RA symptoms. While these are necessary for some people, natural treatments can also make a huge impact in terms of helping lower pain, reduce swelling, prevent further joint damage and increase someones quality of life. Natural treatments also wont cause unwanted side effects, which are common due to arthritis medication use including liver damage, anemia, low platelet count, hair loss, kidney issues and heart problems.
Here are some ways you can manage rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and prevent complications from developing naturally:
1. Eat an Anti-inflammatory Diet
2. Stay Active
Although RA can cause flare-ups of pain along with limited range of motion, staying active in general is a very important for controlling symptoms and managing joint inflammation. Joint pain associated with RA tends to be worse after periods of inactivity so exercise has many benefits.
3. Manage Stress and Get Enough Sleep
4. Control Pain Naturally
5. Reduce Inflammation with Supplements
Anti-inflammatory supplements that can help reduce arthritis pain include:
- turmeric and ginger extract
- MSM
Final Thoughts on Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms