looking for confirmation.
Has anyone reduced RA by dealing with a leaky gut.
I understand that bacteria or proteins leaking into the blood can cause a build up of the antibodies that attack the joints. If that leak can be stopped then the antibodies are reduced and so the joint damage.
I would be grateful for any information.
Thanks
It’s mainly meds that have reduced my RA and UC flares, but I also find these things helpful to address leaky gut and resulting inflammation: probiotics - VSL#3 (or those strains in other forms) plus S. Boulardii and B. coagulans; SuperHMO Prebiotics 5 Mix; and Athletic Greens (AG1) drink every morning before food, mixed with liquid D3, black seed oil for Omega 3, L-glutamine powder and Trace Minerals liquid. Taste is still OK. Or the added supplements can be mixed into a fruit smoothie instead.
eating a balanced diet that cuts out ultra processed food and having lots of fresh vegetable and fish, and very few fatty and sugary foods can help the gut microbiome. This will improve your health generally, and help the drugs work the best they can. So can improve how the disease affects you.
To me, popping an expensive supplement is pointless if all the other aspects of living healthily haven’t been done. (I’m not suggesting that this is what you do of course) but a few extra minerals and vitamins won’t make up for eating lots of bad food, taking no exercise, and having erratic sleep patterns.
Let alone smoking! Giving up is what I did first and made the biggest difference.
I’ve always eaten healthily (med diet) but was immobilised for 4 years when first diagnosed. For me stress was the biggest factor.
I have stopped gluten (bar the occasional cheat) and have stopped all ready meals; which I ironically began to depend on because I was ill.
I also stopped smoking, which I never saw as an issue as it was only 2/3 rollups a day.
My BP which was high dropped dramatically. So well worth it. It was the high risk of stroke/ heart attack that made me make this final change.
The ‘leaky gut’ has been around as a suggestion for a few years. No definitive studies proving or disproving anything.
I do eat natural yoghurt nearly every day though…so maybe do that if you don’t already
stress is definitely the biggest factor for me too ... so, do you think ruling out gluten makes a difference? i don't seem to have any issues with it but would give it up if it made any difference, just a bit of a palaver to do if not needed.
Everyone is different, but yes it made a difference to me. Gluten free pasta is easy enough. Gluten free bread is disgusting 🤢.
Just start using rice or corn based things in place of wheat.
Thanks. Agree about the bread. Good advice. Maybe I'll give it a go, just see if helps at all.
Many of us have tried a variety of options, though I have never subscribed to any form of supplement or subscription promising a cure.
I agree with the suggested healthy diet and lifestyle options, and honestly believe that these are our best defence and help our body cope with the disease and medication.
It’s natural to look for cures, especially in the early stages. The flare and remission we get can look like some of these work… till they don’t.
I so agree. A really healthy diet has changed my health too.
thanks for your reply.
Another line of thinking is the damage caused to the small intestines from alcohol.
Over the years I would say that I have been moderate drinker capable of binges. The bacteria in the lining get damaged. The liver concerns the ethanol to products that get into the blood stream that cause inflammation.
I don’t know if RA is directly linked to alcohol consumption but it is interesting to read. How many RA suffers have never drink or don’t drink alcohol?
I've never drunk much alcohol (only once been "tipsy" as a teenager and hated it so never repeated it) and have been tea-total for many years but diagnosed with RA in 2019 so definitely no connection in my case.
I've had IBS-C for many years which, interestingly, has improved since I've seen on Sulphasalzine for my RA.
There is probably a gut connection with many things so a healthy diet is always going to be a good idea 😁
Sulf calms down inflamation in your gut and is taken by people with Crohn’s etc
I drink on occasion, but have never been a ‘drinker’… so no link for me.
I would like to try probiotics but it is a bit overwhelming. Not sure where to start. I am vegetarian and try to avoid any highly processed food. I have had digestive problems so wonder if there is a link.
look at edibleethics.com for sensible, helpful suggestions….also plant based yogurts. Important to start out gently an increase amounts slowly in order to allow your digestive system to adjust. ☘️
I have very rarely drank alcohol usually if I do I have too much and am 🤢 it does nothing for me. My RA is well controlled on benepali and sulphazalizine and has been for a few years now. Still working at 64 and hard at the moment so life is not too bad, probably not a healthy eater either😂. Did give up smoking post MI lots of years ago.
I agree with helix. There is a great book called Ultra Processed People by Dr Chris Van Tulliken which I am going to send for today coincidentally. Very informative and interesting.
After a long period of trial, I have found that, for me, the way to keep my gut in good health is to eat lots of vegetables and fruit, no processed food (or very occasionally when unavoidable), and overnight fasting for 8-9 hours to give my gut time to rest. Basically what is often called a mediterranean diet.
I have found the information on the Zoe programme helpful although it is often a bit over-enthusiastically presented. It's always based on 'what's the science so far'. It's presented in a very simple way which can be a bit irritating if you have a science based education, but I know many people don't.
Despite long term steroids (unavoidable unfortunately due to autoimmune bone marrow problems) my bone health is good, so is my weight (now) and I don't have diabetes. It works.
With a gluten-free diet for five weeks, my ESR level fell to 7 in June. It has been almost flat at 14-16 for a year. This may not be the same for everyone but I think it is useful for me.
That's good to hear. Sadly I did for 3 months and no discernible difference. Just shows how we are all different
Sorry to hear that. I hope we hear about more research about finding what triggers the disease (which might be different for each person as you say). I feel that there is not enough emphasis on this.
It really helped me too. And with fatigue levels..
Hi football, I initially went vegan and cut out processed foods especially refined sugar. My diet was so restricted I wasn’t getting sufficient nutrients so I relaxed on the dairy but I still mainly eat whole foods. I also take regular exercise, pacing myself so as not to overdo things and manage stress better…. It all seems to help. Best wishes to you, lin
Same, helps enormously
Studies done by NIH & John Hopkins show leaky gut (also, bad teeth& gums) may be a risk factor for RA & other autoimmune diseases .
I went to a functional MD- she did numerous tests & prescribed anti/inflammatory diet & numerous supplements. (I also take Rinvoq RX from a traditional rheumatologist.)
After 3 mths - indigestion, sleep, anxiety, & joint pain are much improved. “The gut is the 2nd brain.”
Gutted 
Orancia and leaky injection
Leflunomide and gut cramps 
Cancelled appointment - gutted.
Gut health and autoimmunity 
