What Are The Risk Factors For Ra
Researchers have studied a number of genetic and environmental factors to determine if they change persons risk of developing RA.
Characteristics that increase risk
- Age. RA can begin at any age, but the likelihood increases with age. The onset of RA is highest among adults in their sixties.
- Sex. New cases of RA are typically two-to-three times higher in women than men.
- Genetics/inherited traits. People born with specific genes are more likely to develop RA. These genes, called HLA class II genotypes, can also make your arthritis worse. The risk of RA may be highest when people with these genes are exposed to environmental factors like smoking or when a person is obese.
- Smoking. Multiple studies show that cigarette smoking increases a persons risk of developing RA and can make the disease worse.
- History of live births. Women who have never given birth may be at greater risk of developing RA.
- Early Life Exposures. Some early life exposures may increase risk of developing RA in adulthood. For example, one study found that children whose mothers smoked had double the risk of developing RA as adults. Children of lower income parents are at increased risk of developing RA as adults.
- Obesity. Being obese can increase the risk of developing RA. Studies examining the role of obesity also found that the more overweight a person was, the higher his or her risk of developing RA became.
Characteristics that can decrease risk
What Does The Research Say
Green tea has been the subject of intense interest among medical researchers.
For example, studies have found evidence that the EGCG in green tea may protect bones and cartilage by decreasing the production of certain molecules in your immune system that can trigger inflammation and joint pain.
A 2021 Swedish study involving 2,237 people with RA and more than 4,000 control participants suggests that drinking two or more cups of tea daily may have a small protective effect.
However, after adjusting for variables like body mass index , cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption, the protective effect only remained statistically significant among smokers.
A 2016 study with 120 older adults with RA found that those who drank green tea over a 6-month period showed significant symptom improvement and less disease activity, possibly because of the antioxidant properties of green tea.
While more research is needed, these findings are promising.
Green tea may have health benefits not related to RA as well.
According to a 2019 study , when green tea is combined with caffeine, the amino acid L-theanine that green tea contains can have a significant effect on improving thinking ability and stress levels.
Studies also show that drinking green tea might help lower your chances of developing heart disease. It may also help improve the outlook of people who have had a stroke or heart attack.
There is
Here are answers to some common questions about green tea and RA.
Is Ginger Tea Good For Arthritis
- Studies conducted in laboratories have suggested that the beneficial effects of ginger derive from a variety of distinct chemicals, including gingerols and shogaols.
- These chemicals are able to reduce inflammation while also protecting cells from oxidative damage.
- People who suffer from arthritis may find relief from joint pain and an improvement in joint function because to the anti-inflammatory effects.
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The Science Backing Dandelions Arthritis Healing Power
Dandelions are a powerful anti-inflammatory.
Scientific proof comes from the August 2010 issue of the Journal of Medicinal Food who wrote that dandelion leaf extract shuts down inflammatory pathways in mice.
The study concluded
The anti-inflammatory effects of TOLs are probably due to down-regulation of NO, PGE, and pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced expressions of iNOS and COX-2 via inactivation of the MAP kinase signal pathway.
Need more proof?Heres what the author of the book Clinical Naturopathic Medicine Leah Hechtman, says about these underappreciated plants. Dandelion greens inhibit interleukins and other immune molecules that trigger inflammation. Controlling inflammation by suppressing COX-2 enzymes.
More evidence comes from Korea med, which carries a study stating that dandelion possesses the therapeutic ability to eliminate heat, alleviate swelling, choleresis, and inflammation.This nine-day trial found that oral administration of dandelion significantly alleviated arthritic symptoms in rats.The study stated in conclusion that dandelion was found to be effective in alleviating the inflammatory response and thus arthritic symptoms in arthritis induced rats.
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What Is The Best Tea For Arthritis And Joint Pain
Arthritis and joint pain can happen due to many reasons. Its mainly due to inflammation in your bones and joints. Therefore, any tea that has anti-inflammatory properties is good for arthritis and joint pain.
Whether your joint pain is due to a disease like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, broken bones, or dehydration, it can get cured with proper nourishment.
And yes, you read it right! Joint pain can even be due to dehydration. Fortunately for us all, tea is highly hydrating. It helps have the correct fluid and electrolyte balance in the body with many electrolytes that it may have. These include potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
These electrolytes are highly essential for hydration. And thus prevent joint pain that comes with other dehydration symptoms.
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The Health Benefits Of Turmeric Tea
The main compound of turmeric is curcumin which gives the spice its distinct color and contains most of the health-boosting properties.
The book Herbal Medicine reports that turmeric contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and can help to relieve gas and boost liver health. Among the health benefits of turmeric, Herbal Medicine states that it has been used to treat joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic digestive problems, and treat abdominal pain.2
However, curcumin is poorly absorbed by the body. To increase the amount of curcumin the body absorbs, its important to add black pepper. For example, a study published in the journal Planta Medica reported that by adding piperine , you can increase the absorption rate of curcumin by around 2000%.3
Inclusion And Exclusion Criteria
The title and abstract of each study were reviewed by two independent authors to identify potentially relevant studies. Studies with the following criteria were included: all human prospective cohort studies that considered coffee, tea, caffeine or types of coffee as the exposure and RA as the main or one of the secondary outcomes publications in which effect sizes were reported in the form of odds ratio, rate or risk ratios, relative risk , or hazard ratios. Letters, comments, reviews, meta-analyses, ecological studies, animal studies and studies that were conducted on children, were excluded from our systematic review and meta-analysis. The detailed information of PICOS for inclusion and exclusion of studies is available at Supplementary Table 2.
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Green Tea Can Help Joint Pain By Addressing Body Fat And Cholesterol Issues
Back in 2005, researchers in Japan published what is considered a hallmark study on the health benefits of green tea. In this study, the researchers examined the role of the green tea extract catechins in the reduction of body fat and malondialdehyde-modified LDL in men.
Brief explanatory notes:
- Green tea, Black tea, and Oolong tea come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, or commonly referred to as the Tea Plant. The difference in the teas are how the teas are produced from the plant.
- Catechins are a type of natural phenol. Phenols are a plant derived chemical that protects the plant from disease as a disinfectant and antioxidant.
Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, this 2005 study took 35 Japanese men with similar Body Mass Index and waist circumference and divided these individuals into two groups.
- One group drank a 1 bottle oolong tea a day containing 690 mg of green tea extract catechins.
- One group drank 1 bottle oolong tea day containing only 22 mg of green tea extract catechins which served as the control group.
After 12 weeks of the daily consumption of the oolong tea a day containing 690 mg catechins, researchers found the test subjects had:
- Lower Body weight,
- Less body fat mass,
- and subcutaneous fat area was significantly lower
- Changes in the concentrations of malondialdehyde-modified LDL were positively associated with changes in body fat mass and total fat area in the green tea extract group. .
Is Chamomile Good For Arthritis
The chemical components included in chamomile tea have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, chronic inflammation has been related to a broad variety of health issues, such as hemorrhoids, gastrointestinal pain, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and even depression. This is because chronic inflammation lasts for a long time.
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Helpful Remedies For Rheumatoid Arthritis
ICE MASSAGE. Simply rubbing an ice cube or a paper cup of frozen water in small circles over a painful area reduces swelling, slows pain signals and inhibits the production of inflammatory chemicals. The American College of Rheumatology recommends doing it 5 to 10 minutes several times a day.
FISH. The omega-3 fatty acids in some fish reduce inflammation by halting the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and they can ease pain, too. The best sources include salmon, sardines, herring and tuna. Eat several servings per week.
WALKING. Few therapies can match walking for reducing pain and stiffness, building muscles around the joints and improving flexibility. Start as slowly as you need to, and work up to 30 minutes a day.
GREEN TEA. Studies show a potent antioxidant in green tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate blocks the production of molecules that cause joint damage in people with rheumatoid arthritis . To reap the health benefits, drink two or three cups of green tea a day, researchers suggest.
PROBIOTICS. In studies, certain strains of probiotic bacteria good bacteria found in some foods, such as yogurt significantly reduced pain and disability in people with RA. Though research is still preliminary, try eating yogurt every day for two or three months to see if its effective for you.
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What Can I Drink To Reduce Inflammation
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Egcg Targets Key Signaling Protein To Reduce Ra Inflammation
EGCG is a chemical compound that belongs to a class of flavanols known as catechins. It is most abundant in green tea and the dried leaves of white tea, and the compound is known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
After giving EGCG to mouse models of RA for 10 days, the team noticed that treatment with the compound led to a significant reduction in ankle swelling.
The researchers found that EGCG reduces the activity of TAK1 a key signaling protein through which pro-inflammatory cytokines transmit their signals to trigger the inflammation and tissue damage found in RA.
What is more, the team says that EGCG reduced inflammation in RA without interfering with other cellular functions unlike some current medications for the disease.
According to Ahmed, their study suggests the green tea compound may be highly effective against RA. The team concludes:
Our findings provide a rationale for targeting TAK1 for the treatment of RA with EGCG.
Other studies have hailed green tea for its potential health benefits. In 2014, for example, Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting the beverage may benefit working memory, while other research suggests green tea protects against age-related functional disability.
Our Knowledge Center article Green tea: health benefits, facts and research looks at some of the other ways in which green tea may help or hinder our health.
High Carbohydrate Content Foods
There is a non-verified theory that the ingestion of high carbohydrate content food results in the production of intermediates in the body known as Advanced Glycation End-products such as acrylamide and heterocyclic amines. Such food-derived AGEs are proposed to interact with cellular receptors and induce intracellular oxidative stress. The oxidative stress further produces mediators of inflammation causing more damage to the tissues. High carbohydrate content foods include white-flour baked goods, white rice and breadetc.
People with rheumatoid arthritis know all too well the inflammation and pain that come with the disease. Although theres no RA diet that treats the condition, some foods can lower inflammation in your body. And because theyre good for you, these foods including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and fish may help you feel better overall.
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Health Benefits Of Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea is gaining popularity as a delicious and healthy beverage.
Consumed in southern Africa for centuries, it has become a beloved drink around the world.
Its a flavorful, caffeine-free alternative to black and green tea.
Whats more, advocates praise rooibos for its potential health benefits, claiming that its antioxidants can protect against cancer, heart disease and stroke.
However, you may wonder if these benefits are supported by evidence.
This article explores rooibos teas health benefits and potential side effects.
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The Takeaway For People With Ra Who Crave Caffeine
The bottom line is that coffee may be good in some ways but can be bad in others, such as increasing a persons heart rate, says Andrew Wang, MD, PhD, a rheumatologist and an assistant professor of medicine and immunobiology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.
I tell my patients to drink coffee if they enjoy it, but not to drink it as medicine, and as always, to listen to their body, Dr. Wang says.
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Herbal Teas: Herbal Teas Help In Detoxification In Rheumatoid Arthritis
Apart than above mentioned Camellia sp. tea several other herbal plants or herbs are also used to prepare tea in a different part of the country or herbs are just added to the tea to increase its nutritional efficiency.
These herbal teas are known for their several health benefits, arthritis is one of them.
Jain et al in their study on the antioxidant activity of tea with some herbs shows that addition of herbs to the tea increase the number of various types of phenolics and flavonoids in the tea and hence the tea with herbs provide best antioxidant activity as compared to tea as an individual entity.
A herbal tea known as Cats Whiskers tea is specially produced to treat arthritis is obtained from the leaves of Orthosiphon stamineus also known as Balbas Pusa in some regions.
Tabana et al conducted a study to test the anti-inflammatory activity of the herbal tea made from this plant.
In their study, they found that Cats whiskers tea is very effective in reducing inflammation and also have anti-arthritic properties which can help in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
What does this mean? Herbs with green tea or herbal tea in itself can help in the reduction of arthritis symptoms.
Caffeine Coffee Tea And Risk Of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systematic Review And Dose
- 1Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- 2Social Determinant of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- 3School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Objective: Prospective cohort studies on coffee, tea and caffeine in relation to the risk of rheumatoid arthritis have shown conflicting results. The aim of this study was to conduct a doseresponse meta-analysis of cohort studies on the association between dietary caffeine, different types of coffee and tea consumption and the risk of RA.
Methods: PubMed/Medline, Scopus and EMBASE were searched up to July 2021 to identify relevant studies that had considered different types of coffee , tea or caffeine exposure with RA as the main, or one of the, outcome. Two authors independently screened 742 publications. Finally, five prospective cohort studies were included in our meta-analysis. Pooled relative risks were calculated by using a fixed-effects model. We also performed linear and non-linear dose-response analyses to examine the dose-response relations.
We found that a higher intake of coffee and decaffeinated coffee was associated with increased risk of RA. No significant association between caffeinated coffee, tea or caffeine intake and the risk of RA was observed.
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Is There Such A Thing As A Joint
Although the compounds in many foods are said to improve RA symptoms, more research is needed to determine just how much of those compounds would have to be eaten to derive the benefit.
What scientists know for sure is that there are important links between your stomach and inflammation, and that Western diets, with their emphasis on the fast, cheap, and highly flavorful, create the conditions for diseases like RA to flourish.
Its certain, for starters, that obesity is a risk factor for inflammatory conditions. Body fat generates substances that generate inflammation, and the more fat there is, the more inflamed the body will be. In addition, the foods that lead to obesity ones high in fat, sugar, salt, and processed ingredients are known to increase inflammation.
Also, scientists are increasingly finding out more about the ways that intestinal bacterial imbalances, which may result from high-fat low-nutrient diets, contribute to these conditions.
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That said, changing your diet probably wont reduce inflammation enough for you to forgo other RA management treatments. But it can help reduce the amount of medication needed and the side effects of the medication, says Lona Sandon, PhD, RDN, an associate professor in the department of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, who is also an RA patient. And, Dr. Sandon adds, eating well has never been known to make any condition worse.