OPINION: Dr Ken Romeo 775-870-6942
Typically, my posts revolve around natural anti aging treatments and other factors associated with healthy aging. This article discusses a disease that is commonly associated with aging, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and a natural method to help alleviate some of the the pain and inflammation involved with RA flares. It also describes a potentially protective diet for those who are at risk for RA.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, "the average onset of RA is between the ages of 30 and 60." But RA can begin at any age. There is no cure for RA but some effective drugs have been developed to decrease RA flares. RA is an autoimmune condition, which means it is caused by the body's immune system attacking itself. It is not yet known what triggers RA or RA flares.
Environmental factors play an important role in the risk of developing RA. For example, smoking is an established risk factor.
But data regarding a protective diet for developing rheumatoid arthritis is very limited.
Since the main characteristics of RA are joint dysfunction caused by inflammation that results in serious pain, anti-inflammatory agents may alleviate the clinical symptoms.
Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenolic compounds that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. A study was conducted to determine the beneficial effects of pomegranate extract in RA patients and concluded that pomegranate juice alleviates disease activity and improves some blood biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in RA patients.
Simultaneously, a study was conducted to assessed the impact of dietary patterns on rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility.
- wikipedia.org
In the "susceptibility study," socio-demographic characteristics and dietary intakes 5 years prior to the onset of RA were reported by a self-administered questionnaire.
The study concludes this: "Compared to healthy individuals, RA patients had decreased consumption of mushrooms, beans, citrus, poultry, fish and dairy products.(further)...analyses revealed that several dietary items may have protective effects on RA development, such as:"
- mushrooms
- citrus fruits
- dairy products
In a nutshell, some dietary interventions may reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. That said, once a patient has developed rheumatoid arthritis the consumption of dairy and meat products is known to produce flares.
Pomegranate juice may help with RA flares, but the early consumption of the foods listed above may decrease the chances of developing RA in the first place.
Yours in Health!
Dr. Ken Romeo
Dr. Ken Romeo is a Principal and Chief Clinical Data Coordinator for the Healthy Aging Research Foundation (HARF) in Reno, NV.
Though each article contained on this Blog is derived from published Clinical and Research data contained in various national and international databases with links provided,
NO ARTICLE OR CONCLUSION IS MEANT TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, PREVENT OR CURE DISEASE.
CONSULT YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES TO YOUR HEALTH REGIMEN.
Contact: DrKenRomeo1@gmail.com
Source: Clin Rheumatol. 2016 Aug 23
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