Diet

[Howard523]

Could any one reccomended a good diet for anybody with GCA as I have heard it can make a difference with the side effects of steriods etc any help would be good. Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A good healthy diet which includes naturally antiinflammatory foods - oily fish, turmeric, garlic and so on - does seem to help some people who have PMR symptoms as part of their GCA. Celtic is the expert there!

I, and a few others, have either lost weight or avoided gaining weight with pred by cutting carbohydrates drastically. The only carbs I eat most of the time are vegetables - almost no fruit nor root vegetables except carrots. As long as I stick to that I have lost weight slowly but steadily, 38lbs in 2 years so far. During the last month my family were visiting for a week and I have eaten fruit, pizza and a few other things more often than usual - haven't lost any weight this month.

[Howard523 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that I will try

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Howard, look up known anti-inflammatory foods, including oily fish (sardines (with bones - good for our bones), mackerel, salmon, trout; beetroot, avocado, garlic, turmeric. Avoid processed meats and sugar. Avoiding or reducing refined carbs such as white bread, white potatoes can help as these foods turn to sugar in our bodies and could add to the risk of steroid-induced diabetes. White potatoes can be substituted with the healthier sweet potatoes. Include plenty of known diuretic-type foods, such as asparagus, garlic, fennel and melon - these can help to offset steroid-induced fluid retention and subsequent weight gain. Coffee, sugar and alcohol are known to place stress on the adrenal glands - especially wise to reduce or avoid when at the lower doses of Pred when the adrenal glands will be trying to kick back in with their natural cortisol production after being suppressed by the long-term Pred. The good news: dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids) is anti-inflammatory due to the flavonoids it contains!

[Howard523 in reply to Celtic]

Thanks for that I will try

[lynne99 in reply to Celtic]

celtic Thank you for that. dark chocolate and beetroot, my favourites. Thanks

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to lynne99]

Not too much chocolate now, Lynn!! Enjoy!

[olive2709]

I have had GCA since last September started on 40mg pred a day down to 20mg a day

I have put on 10 lbs in that time most of it in first 8weeks as others have said cut the white carbs I eat 1slice of granary bread a day +veg from above ground salads fish lean meat homemade soups cook everything from scratch that I can. My biggest down fall is my hubby he is always trying to feed me chocolate, cakes, sometimes I give in

[lynne99 in reply to olive2709]

2lb a month. I think you are doing very well. I wish I could emulate you.

[olive2709 in reply to lynne99]

Iam a bit of a calorie counter over the years got a good list in my head .also as others have said never feel really hungry . I use smaller plates and make it look nice as we eat with our eyes. Allways sit at table even if eating alone. And no leftovers in the bin or in the freezer.so no picking it all helps mind you when on holiday last week had cake every day bad girl that I,am

Olive

[tangocharlie]

Am I OK to take cod liver oil and glucosamine supplements with Pred does anybody know?