Rheumatoid Arthritis

Reduce Your RA Risk With Diet

Rheumatoid arthritis, though usually diagnosed in people between the ages of 30 and 50, may be developed at any phase of life, according to The Globe. The disease causes painful joint inflammation, limited mobility, fatigue and flu-like symptoms. RA is produced by an autoimmune response in which the body’s immune system attacks its own joints, and can be a considerably inhibiting condition for those who suffer from it. There is currently no known cure for the disease, and while not much is known regarding what causes it, experiments have indicated that certain diets may lower the risk of developing RA. The following anti-inflammatory foods may help to reduce your risk of RA:

Fish

According to The Globe, multiple researchers have found that eating fish reduced the risk of RA in women. Specifically, women who ate 2,100 milligrams or more of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids each day were nearly half as likely to get the inflammatory disease. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation and are often taken for a variety of health purposes, such as joint health and skin care. Fish such as salmon, cod and herring are all rich in these fatty acids, and there are omega-3 supplements also available in pill form for those who don’t like fish. Try substituting other proteins in your diet with these to reduce your risk of RA, especially if you’re female.

Grilled salmon steak with potatoes and salad

Flavonoids

Though they have yet to be studied directly in relation to rheumatoid arthritis, flavonoids have long been known to possess considerable anti-inflammatory properties. That said, eating a diet rich in flavonoids may benefit you if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or are attempting to lower your risk of the disease. Foods with high flavonoid counts include dark berries and vegetables, such as cherries, strawberries, kale, red grapes, apples, onions, broccoli and soybeans. Green and black teas also are known to be an excellent source of flavonoids.

flavonoids rich foods for rheumatoid arthritis

Nuts

Replacing your daily snack foods with handfuls of healthy nuts may be a good way to lower your risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Nuts such as hazelnuts, cashews, brazil nuts, peanuts, and almonds have been shown to contain high levels of unsaturated fat, magnesium and antioxidants, which can all benefit your body’s immune system.

mixed nuts

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