Liangjing Lu, Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Renji Hospital Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects joints and connective tissues. For a long time, patients with rheumatoid arthritis have tried and tried, hoping to reduce their symptoms through food therapy. Excitingly, certain studies have shown that there is indeed a relationship between certain foods and the inflammatory state that causes autoimmune disease. Therefore, when a patient wants to try a particular dietary formula, it is important to consult with a doctor beforehand to prevent certain reactions with therapeutic medications. Dietary principles for patients with rheumatoid arthritis The primary principle of an optimal dietary regimen for patients with rheumatoid arthritis is to be nutritionally balanced and based on plant-based foods. Fruits, vegetables, and grains should make up two-thirds of the patient’s daily dietary sources. The other one-third should include high protein foods such as skim or low-fat milk products and lean meats. Foods with anti-inflammatory properties Your diet should ideally contain deep-sea fish including herring, mackerel, trout, salmon and tuna. Ruth Frechma, a registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association, has said, “The omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil are the most promising component of food to fight inflammation.” Some studies have shown that fish oil can relieve joint pain, reduce morning stiffness and even reduce the amount of medication used by patients. Every 100 grams of fish used in the diet contains roughly 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids. Foreign nutritionists recommend eating deep-sea fish twice a week. If rheumatoid patients consume higher doses of omega-3 fatty acids than recommended for the general population, they should beware of side effects such as interactions with specific medications and high blood pressure. In addition, dietary fiber from fruits, vegetables and grains such as whole grains can also reduce inflammation levels. Studies have shown that increasing dietary fiber in the diet can reduce levels of C-reactive protein, an indicator of inflammation. Fresh or frozen strawberries also have an improved effect on C-reactive protein levels. Foods that can reduce inflammation also include virgin olive oil. Olive oil contains a substance called oleocanthal, which blocks some of the enzymes that cause inflammation, the same principle as NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Even though these foods can help relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation, they are still not a substitute for medication. For example, it takes about 3 ½ tablespoons of olive oil (400 calories) to contain anti-inflammatory substances equivalent to one 200mg tablet of ibuprofen. Therefore, food does not appear to be a substitute for medication at this time. Micronutrient and inflammation studies have shown that patients with rheumatoid arthritis are often associated with low selenium. Selenium, a mineral that is found in high levels in whole grain cereals, oysters, crabs and other shellfish, has antioxidant properties and is often thought to have beneficial effects on inflammation control. However, diets high in selenium often increase the risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, so consult your doctor when supplementing with selenium. Vitamin D, usually associated with calcium, is beneficial in preventing osteoporosis and in lowering the immune system regulation in older women with rheumatoid disease. Eggs, whole wheat bread, cereals and skim milk are all foods rich in vitamin D. Foods with increased risk of inflammation levels While some foods may have the ability to reduce inflammation, there are also foods that may be able to increase inflammation levels. For example, burgers, fried chicken or barbecue. These foods that are heated at high temperatures can produce some glycosylation end products. Although there is no direct evidence that these products are associated with arthritis, patients with high levels of inflammation also have higher levels of glycosylation end products. If you want to improve your rheumatoid arthritis through diet, you need to master the most basic principle, which is a balanced diet. To achieve this, try a “Mediterranean diet” that includes a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil. If your doctor allows, a glass of red wine can also be included. 2015-04-01 吕良敬 王苏丽 Rheumatism and immune disease doctor-patient exchange platform (micro signal luliangjing920) (The picture in the text is transferred from the network, the above content for the rheumatism and immune disease doctor-patient exchange platform exclusive production, other WeChat public accounts or media if reproduced, please indicate the source or source!)