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Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease that affects approximately 1.5 million people in the United States alone. The most common symptoms that bring patients to the doctor are:
Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis is not just a joint disease. Chronic and ongoing inflammation can affect multiple other organs, including the heart, lungs, eyes, skin, and kidneys.
Interestingly, many of my patients report that diet influences their disease symptoms. Is this a simple observation or a call to action?
At first, I thought it was just an incidental report, but gradually I began to hear it from many patients.
It piqued my curiosity to know more. During our medical training, we tend to be hyper-specialized. As a rheumatologist, I learned extensively how to diagnose autoimmune diseases and how targeted therapies can be used to modulate the immune system. However, I knew nothing about nutrition or the effect of the gut microbiome on the immune system.
This led me to my own discovery. After reading hundreds of research studies, I found scientific evidence in a few years. And yes, the patient was right! Their immune system was greatly affected by the food they ate, the stress they experienced, and their sleep.
In my practice, I approach my patients from multiple angles. I have learned that it is essential to ask patients:
“How are you feeling?”
“What do you usually eat?”
“What are the major stressors in your life?”
“How often do you exercise?”
“What time do you sleep?”
Suppose a patient does not have a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. In that case, I educate them to adopt an anti-inflammatory/Mediterranean diet. This reduces their risk of developing this disease by 21%. If they have rheumatoid arthritis, I start the conversation by presenting the scientific evidence.
Here are some examples. In a study that looked at 300 people with rheumatoid arthritis about their intake of 20 different foods, the patients’ symptoms were influenced by the type of food they ate. Nearly a quarter of patients reported that foods such as blueberries, strawberries, fish and spinach relieved their symptoms, but sugary juices and desserts made them worse. Excessive salt intake increases blood markers of joint pain and inflammation. His elimination of red meat, glucose and lactose for 3 months may also be beneficial for some patients. Replacing coffee with green tea has also been recently recommended. Increased amounts of short-chain fatty acids lead to reduced inflammation. Patients using probiotics for at least 8 weeks had less joint pain and swelling. Addition of spices as food or supplements ( turmeric, garlic, and ginger) have also been shown to reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Being overweight or obese was associated with a higher likelihood of developing autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The goal is to reduce pain, inflammation, and fatigue, and improve joint mobility, strength, flexibility, mood changes, and weight loss.
Unfortunately, about 60% of people with arthritis report poor sleep quality. Chronic sleep deprivation leads to severe fatigue, mood changes, increased pain, inflammation, and decreased immune system function. , said it improved sleep quality and reduced pain levels. Studies confirm that people with rheumatoid arthritis who sleep less or have fragmented sleep are more sensitive to pain the next day. It has been.
I always advise people with rheumatoid arthritis to get up to 8-9 hours of sleep each night to improve their disease activity.
Let’s talk about the effects of stress. Many patients describe experiencing significant stress in their lives before symptoms of autoimmune disease surface. Research conducted over the past two decades has shown a connection between our immune system and our minds. In his 2020 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in 337 people with rheumatoid arthritis, mindfulness interventions significantly reduced pain intensity, depression, and symptoms compared to conventional therapy. was shown to be improved. Mindfulness also reduces daily pain for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
I teach my patients how to approach their pain and incorporate simple breathing, guided imagery, or other relaxation techniques. Patients experience less pain, better sleep and a better quality of life in just a few weeks.
To make it easier for my rheumatoid arthritis sufferer, I designed the Lifestyle Pyramid (see above).
This includes the amount and type of foods needed to prevent or reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and reduce the inflammation and pain associated with this disease. Scientifically proven to have anti-inflammatory properties The recommendations for supplements, exercise, and mindfulness were all evidence-based. of patients find it very easy to use and beneficial.
As mentioned earlier, the science of nutrition, exercise and stress management is available. Physicians must take the lead in educating patients about healthy lifestyle interventions. Otherwise, the patient will get lost trying to look it up on her Google.
Therefore, I always encourage patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases to make better lifestyle choices that have a positive impact on their mind, health and life.
Diana M. Girnita is a rheumatologist, founder and CEO of Rheumatologist OnCall. You can also reach her on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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