Question

[89501]

Has anyone found improvement in RA by changing diets?

[oldtimer]

You will get deluged with opinions, but few facts. There is useful information on the NRAS site and the Versus Arthritis has some about supplements too.

Most of us have tried dietary exclusions and various regimes. I know I have, but with little success.

I stick to a Mediterranean type diet which is shown to reduce be compatible with health, don't smoke and try to exercise regularly whenever possible.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I went totally GF when I was first diagnosed, Issa in remission from Graves’ disease and I’ve got a couple of other autoimmune conditions.

My thyroid antibodies reduced a lot as did my CRP. They may have done so anyway but I wouldn’t want to take the chance and go back to eating gluten. Some people say it hasn’t made any difference to them.

I also eat well, Mediterranean diet as mentioned by old timer, plenty of veggies, especially green leafy veggies, fish at least twice a week, lots of chicken, not much red meat, I don’t drink, no longer eat sweets, cakes or biscuits or junk food or fizzy drinks not too much fruit and I get a decent amount of exercise

[Lolabridge]

Nope!

Old Timer and I have had the same experiences.

[alexask]

I took a food reaction test - about £100 from cerascreen (there is also a more extensive and expensive one from York). This indicated a reaction to wheat, egg yolk and oats. Cutting those out helped put my symptoms ( swollen finger, pain in knees and ankles) into remission. Caveat - tests came back negative. Though I still have some intermittent hip pain when trying to get on and off a bike. And I also know if I have eaten any oats or too much wheat. That is my experience. I have also seen some men on the internet who can only eat an all carnivore diet and Jordan Petersen and his daughter only eat Beef. So your diet might help you.

[Dobcross1]

No, went vegan, gluten free, dairy free etc etc all at the same time. Paid £600 for an Alcat test which showed intolerance to yeast and casein (a milk protein). Did low carb too. Nothing helped. Now try to eat sensibly but not strictly as I just can't go through all that again... That's not to say someone else's experience would be the same.

[Don122 in reply to Dobcross1]

The ALCAT test is a waste of time.

[Dobcross1 in reply to Don122]

What makes you say that?

[medway-lady]

I'm Celiac diagnosed years ago and its made no difference at all. I believe its about being of a correct weight that may be more important as less stress on joints. I'd not bother with an OTC test but it you think Gluten may be culprit then ask GP for the blood test then if its positive its camera job. You must b testing gluten to do that test. Going GF is not easy the bread is an acquired taste the cost of GF products is higher and it may be simply phycological anyway. But if you have mouth ulcers, stomach ache and loose bowels or feel generally unwell then please get tested.

[helixhelix]

I have found that changing and improving my lifestyle has helped my overall health. Which in turn has helped me deal with RA better. But it did nothing for the RA directly.

So to me it's worth paying attention to lifestyle issues and doing what you can to improve them. Just don’t expect miracles in terms of your RA.

[TheBoys]

You ll get loads of views bit heres what helped me

I basically follow a weight watchers plan. Religiously avoiding processed, ready meals or anything high in sugars.

Three days a week, i make up healthy slaws, salads which form the backbone for lunches, snacks and dinners. I eat lits of chicken, turkey and tuna.

No fry ups apart from once a month..each day starts with some Kefir with fruit and one slice of toast with marmite.

Its lost me a stone in weight and brought my blood pressure down. I want to lose another stone by June. My RA is very settled at the moment.

[Brushwork]

To be honest, it is individual. However, a holistic approach to your wellbeing is a good bet. A healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and as much exercise as you can, all helps.

Different things work for different people. I am veggie, I take supplements, I don't eat dairy or sugar... I still have RA but my disease seems to be less aggressive than many people, despite my 'off the chart' RF and Anti-CCP markers - I have no evidence that is due to my choices or my biology. I avoid foods that are highly inflammatory. This SEEMS to help ME

BUT.... The official advice is reduce red meats, Mediterranean diet is best and maintain a healthy weight - and that is a good and sensible starting point.

[Porcs]

Looking at Wahls protocol

[Hidden]

Ditto for Mediterranean diet and cut down on gluten which seems to help (but I am a newbie) I also take tumeric supplement and fresh lemon drinks everyday both purportedly reduce inflamation. I'm still trial and error. This site has helped me lots. Thank you.

[vonniesims]

Processed food eg pepperoni, chorizio cause a temporary flair a few our later

[mjrminor]

Same as others following Mediterranean diet. I haven't touched dairy in years because of lactose intolerance, but one thing I did six months ago was eliminate all processed sugars from my diet. I was noticing that my hands were swelling up and painful anytime I ate sugar, so I cut it out and noticed a marked improvement.

[Bluepegasus]

I've been working with the Paleo approach for 8 weeks as I've been off meds. Basically meat and fish plus vegetables and fruit, so no dairy, nightshades, nuts, grains, sugar. It seemed pretty harsh at first but I've got used to it. I still have bad joint pain but my energy levels are much much better. I thought I'd give it a go before I start tocilizumab which is scary enough in itself.

I've read so much about it being successful for people and them being in remission through diet but I think lifestyle counts just as much.

Wishing you all the best

[BoopedByRA]

Cutting out sugar lowered joint pain in my extremities. Cutting out every protein but fish/seafood, eggs and occasionally white meat helped with general inflammation. My body has never done well with dairy, so I cut that out. Biggest thing is minimizing omega 6s and maximizing omega 3s for me. Second is avoiding processed foods. And upping veggies/fruits. Edit: oh and I don’t eat gluten, it seems to give me increased aches.

[Beviejon1]

I have been VegetArian for bout 5 years It has made a huge difference for me.I do believe everyone is different.You must do what works for you.

[Morigan]

Same as others eating more Mediterranean food. I like to google anti inflammatory recipes and try them out. Thing that helped me most and I could see massive difference was to cut down on sugar and salt. Same as mjrminor I was noticing that my hands were swelling after eating foods that have loads of sugar (or salt in my case) so I gradually stopped eating that.

I try to eat a lot of fatty fish like tuna, mackarel, herring and salmon. Loads of veg and fruit especially berries and dark leafy greens.

At times when I felt a lot better I stopped eating healthy for a bit and my disease became more aggressive so I know it works for me.

[RAreyna]

Eating a plant-based, largely unprocessed diet helps my energy and mood, but I haven't noticed a difference in stiffness or pain levels.

[89501]

Thank everyone for sharing your wisdom with me. You have given me many wonderful ideas to try. HealthUnlocked and the membership is a fantastic source for the latest information.

Thank all of you again,

89501