This week I’d like to look at some of the substances you should try to avoid in order to eliminate the potential of developing or reducing the symptoms of already diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. Omega-6 fatty acids, as I discussed earlier, are found in grains and grain-consuming meats. These tend to increase inflammation in your body. The best way of limiting the consumption of omega-6 fatty acids is to avoid the consumption of feed-lot beef, refined cooking oils, and margarine. You can combat the imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids by consuming coldwater fish. As I indicated earlier, salmon, halibut, cod, nuts, and seeds from pumpkin and walnut, and oils such as extra virgin olive oil and flax oil are good sources of omeg-3’s. Your most consistent source is fish oil.

Saturated fats have been shown to increase the production of inflammatory supporting substances in the body. Saturated fats are found mainly in whole dairy products, like whole milk, cheese, and animal products such as raw meats and poultry. By consuming low-fat dairy as well as lean meats and omega-3 rich cold water fish, or by consuming range fed beef, you can reduce your load of omega-6 fatty acids. Reducing your intake of gluten containing foods also assists in decreasing inflammation in your bowel and throughout your body. Gluten is a protein found in certain grains including wheat. The inflammation in the gut produced by consuming gluten containing foods can interfere with the absorption of many foods and minerals and cause a general inflammation in the body including the joints. Gluten is found in wheat, oats, barley and rye. Wheat is by far the most problematic of the four grains I just mentioned. Gluten is not found in rice or corn, millet, quinoa, or buckwheat. Therefore these are considered gluten free foods. By the way corn is not a vegetable; it is in fact a grain.

Some individuals may also tolerate svelt, which is an ancient ancestor of wheat. Dairy when consumed by some rheumatoid arthritis patients produces antibodies against proteins. This is similar to what occurs with gluten consumption – people become allergic to these proteins. Consumption of dairy products can cause both intestinal as well as general body inflammation. Dairy is found in such products as milk, cheese, yogurt and sour cream. Milk proteins also may exist in the form of whey, powdered milk, caseine, or sodium caseinate, which appears in many non-dairy foods like coffee creamers and whipped toppings. Dairy proteins occur in many baked goods, breakfast drink mixes and non-kosher lunchmeats.
As I have often said, it is important to read labels to determine carbohydrate intake as well as the intake of many other foods. You’ll notice that many labels now indicate whether a food contains peanuts (due to the many allergic reactions individuals have to peanuts) as well as dairy protein. As I mentioned previously, a high intake of meat can increase the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. This is due to the saturated fat content of the meat. Also, it is believed that high levels of proteins from meat may encourage the growth of more harmful bacteria in the intestines. Diets high in fruits and vegetables can encourage the growth of friendly bacteria instead. Well class you have hung in there very well. Next week we wrap it all up and tie a bow on top. You now know more than probably 99.9% of the adult population about rheumatoid arthritis. Now you need to use this information to help yourself or others. Share the article and give others access to my website www.upchiropractic.com.

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