Rheumatism is not just an “old people’s disease” that everyone suffers sooner or later. The most common of all inflammatory joint diseases also affects young people in childhood and adolescence. In addition to medication, diet plays a major role in curbing joint inflammation. Here are 4 simple diet tips for people with rheumatism.
Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly affects women over the age of 50 and men over the age of 60, but it can also occur in childhood and adolescence – when it is referred to as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Idiopathic means something like “unknown cause”, since genetic factors seem to play a role in rheumatic diseases, but bacteria, viruses and environmental influences can also be triggers. While the causes are largely unclearmonumental advances have been made in medical treatment over the last 20 years. With the help of so-called biologics, sources of inflammation can be combated with medication and almost without side effects. But there are also always new findings in nutritional medicine that can help rheumatism sufferers in the fight against inflammation.
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Rheumatism: 4 nutrition tips for arthritis
1. Less sugar and white flour
Sugar and white flour are two ingredients that, on the one hand, provide a lot of calories and quickly raise your blood sugar level, but on the other hand contain hardly any essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals or phytochemicals. Due to the high glycemic load and the lack ofTolfioow substances, foods such as gummy bears, chocolate, durum wheat pasta and white bread that contain sugar or white flour trigger oxidative stress and inflammation throughout the body . This is fatal in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum of 25 grams of sugar per day– about six teaspoons. Rheumatic people can even benefit from consuming even less sugar and always using whole grain instead of white flour products.
2. Fewer animal products
Sausages and any form of pork are particularly problematic for people with rheumatism, as both are rich in the pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid . According to measurements in the laboratory , the ignition values of processed sausage products are even at the same level as refined white flour products. You should therefore absolutely avoid sausage, ham, salami & co. and instead eat fresh meat once or twice a week. To cover your protein needs, you can use vegetable protein sources such as legumes, oatmeal or nuts.
3. More omega-3 fatty acids
Unfortunately, in our modern, western diet, we consume too many omega-6 fatty acids and trans fats in comparison to omega-3 fatty acids through processed products, animal products and fast food. Although omega-6 fatty acids are not unhealthy per se, it is the amount that makes the poison. A significant excess of omega-6 has a pro-inflammatory effect in the body, which is why people with arthritis or other rheumatic diseases in particular increase their intake of anti-inflammatory supplementsIncrease omega-3 fatty acids as they are the antagonist to omega-6. Omega-3 is found in particularly large amounts in salmon and other fatty sea fish, walnuts, flaxseed and rapeseed oil. Unfortunately, since rapeseed oil is only suitable for cold dishes, you can, for example, replace the omega-6-heavy sunflower oil with extra virgin olive oil when frying, which, contrary to a common misconception, is also suitable for roasts at temperatures of up to approx .
4. Anti-inflammatory spices
In addition to the choice of food, it is also important whether and how you season your dishes. According to the German Rheumatism League , some spices can actually limit the formation of pro-inflammatory substances from arachidonic acid. For example, you can use ginger, curry, cumin and garlic to further reduce inflammation in your body. The practical thing about it: You don’t have to change your diet to do this, you can simply refine each dish with a clove of garlic, a little grated ginger or curry and cumin from the spice cabinet. You can find out which herbs have an anti-inflammatory effect here: 10 herbs against inflammation >>
