Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Dietary Considerations

Rheumatoid arthritis is a relatively common disease that seriously affects patients' physical health. Especially in the cold winter, it can be a challenging season for rheumatoid arthritis patients. In addition to active treatment, dietary adjustments are also essential for these patients. A reasonable diet can reduce the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis and play a role in its management.

I. Dietary Considerations for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

First, avoid cold foods. During oral treatment with anti-rheumatic drugs, rheumatoid arthritis patients are prone to gastrointestinal sensitivity and indigestion due to drug side effects. Therefore, during treatment, they should minimize the intake of cold foods such as pear, lotus root, bitter gourd, mung bean, and tomato to prevent aggravating gastrointestinal burden and causing discomfort.

Second, avoid alcohol and coffee. Excessive alcohol consumption, strong tea, or coffee may exacerbate the condition of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Therefore, patients with joint discomfort should quit smoking and drinking and reduce the intake of stimulating beverages.

Third, reduce the intake of greasy food and maintain a light diet. Eating excessive high-fat foods like fried food or high-sugar diets can lead to obesity and increase the burden on bone joints due to weight gain. Additionally, high-cholesterol foods can produce inflammatory substances in the body, which may induce or exacerbate joint pain and swelling. Therefore, rheumatoid arthritis patients should minimize greasy food and maintain a light and delicious diet, with a focus on eating fruits and vegetables.

II. Dietary Principles for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Firstly, ensure comprehensive dietary nutrition. Rheumatoid arthritis patients should not avoid certain foods but should avoid being picky to obtain rich and comprehensive dietary nutrition. While some foods should be consumed in moderation, they are not completely forbidden, such as milk, goat milk, candy, cheese, chocolate, peanuts, and sweets. Additionally, alcohol, coffee, and tea should also be consumed in moderation.

Secondly, regulate diet intake. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that often leads to weakness in patients. Therefore, diet intake should be timed and appropriate, avoiding excessive or insufficient intake. Food should be appropriately soft, hard, cold, or hot to prevent further injuring the spleen and stomach. Overconsumption of nourishing foods should be avoided.

Thirdly, maintain a light diet. Due to long-term illness and medication, rheumatoid arthritis patients often experience insomnia and anorexia, leading to deficiencies. Eating excessive greasy and rich food can promote dampness and phlegm formation, which is detrimental to the condition. Therefore, a light diet is recommended.

Lastly, make dietary choices based on individual constitutions. For example, rheumatoid arthritis patients with excessive stomach acid or abdominal distension should avoid sweet and greasy foods that can cause bloating. Those with weak spleen and stomach or lack of energy should avoid tonic foods like donkey-hide gelatin and white fungus. Individuals with internal heat should avoid hot tonics like red ginseng and deer antler. For those with sticky tongue coating and excessive internal dampness, a light diet is preferred, and greasy and rich foods like turtle, paws, and hoof should be avoided.