Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA is one of the most common forms of autoimmune disease. It has been estimated that approximately 0.5-1% of the world’s population has RA. In the U.S., the prevalence of RA is estimated to be 0.7% and is more common in women than men.¹

Common symptoms of RA may include joint pain that commonly affect the hands, wrists, and feet, although any joint may be affected. Joint inflammation over time can cause permanent damage leading to deformity of the joints. In some with RA, the disease may also affect the skin, heart, lungs, and eyes. Symptoms of RA may fluctuate due to a variety of factors.

Little is known about what exactly causes RA in individuals, but experts believe it is a combination of genetic, infectious, and other environmental factors, such as diet, toxin exposures, and intestinal bacteria imbalance.

Diet

• Hundreds of my patients over the last 25 years, have made dramatic recoveries from autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, connective tissue disease and psoriasis via a Nutritarian diet.  Many have achieved complete recoveries and no longer require any medications.  A vegan and gluten-free diet has shown to be quite helpful for many with rheumatoid arthritis.^1,2  Since there is a relationship between celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis,^3,4 avoiding gluten may be beneficial. 
• Vitamins, minerals carotenoids, flavonoids, fiber, and other phytochemical have anti-inflammatory effects that could help to normalize the immune response and reduce symptoms.^5-7 Maximize the intake of immune-system-regulating, anti-inflammatory foods such as green vegetables, mushrooms, onions, squashes, parsnips, turnips and rutabaga, which have low allergic or reaction potential.  Eat both raw and cooked cruciferous vegetables every day.
• Anti-inflammatory spices such as turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper, cloves, garlic, and cinnamon should be used in seasoning dishes.^8-11  
• Research suggests that excess sodium may drive autoimmune inflammation.^12-14 Minimize added salt. 
• Identify food triggers to symptoms to reduce or remove (which is individual). Many with autoimmune disease will find they are sensitive to gluten, processed foods, sweets, and animal products. Other foods are less common triggers, such as certain nuts, soy, nightshades, beans, or corn. 
• Fruit intake may need to be reduced to low or moderate amounts.
• Talk to your doctor before and after making changes to your diet and supplement regimen if you have a chronic disease or if you are taking any medication, as medication and/or unique dietary modifications may be necessary.  Medication reduction should be monitored by a physician.
• Meal plan: Autoimmune Reversal

Supplements

• Dr. Fuhrman’s general supplement protocol for adults (see Vitamin Advisor for details) includes:

  • Multivitamin (without beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, copper), such as Women’s Daily Formula +D3, Men’s Daily Formula +D3, or Gentle Care Formula.

  • Omega-3 DHA and EPA, such as DHA+EPA Purity.

  • Optional: Consider adding a mixed mushroom immune supplement, such as Immune Biotect, because of the potential immune system benefits throughout life from assorted mushroom phytochemicals not normally consumed in the diet. Consult your physician if you are on medication. 

• Additional Supplements:
  • Probiotics: Research has suggested that healthy bacteria in our intestines may be protective and help to keep a normal functioning immune system. Eating a fiber-rich diet helps to build up healthy bacteria over time, and studies have found probiotics reduced inflammatory markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.¹⁵ Ask your doctor if taking probiotics is right for you.
  • Omega-3 DHA and EPA: Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids has improved symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in several studies.^6,16 High doses may be necessary to experience a difference in symptoms.¹⁷ If considering higher doses of omega-3 supplementation, discuss this with your doctor first as it is not appropriate for everyone.
  • Immune Biotect provides assorted immune-supporting mushroom phytochemicals that are not normally consumed in the diet, plus astragalus, elderberry and other berry extracts. Consult your physician if you are on medication.
  • Anti-inflammatory botanicals: Turmeric, green tea, and grape seed. Curcumin (from turmeric) has potent anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory studies, and in human trials, curcumin supplementation decreased inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress.^18-22 In addition to curcumin, turmeric contains several other anti-inflammatory phytochemicals.¹¹ Grape seed phytochemicals called proanthocyanidins also have anti-inflammatory effects. In human trials, grape seed extract has been reported to reduce inflammatory markers.^23-26 Green tea phytochemicals have inhibitory effects on the T cells that mediate some autoimmune diseases, which may help protect against autoimmunity.^{27, 28} In human supplementation studies, green tea extracts reduced the inflammatory marker TNF-alpha.²⁹
  • Ultra Cell Biotect provides absorption-enhanced curcumin and green tea extract plus turmeric, grape seed extract, and black turmeric extract to help neutralize free radicals and promote cellular health. Consult your physician if you are on medication. 

For supplement recommendations personalized to you, your health condition and goals, visit the Personalized Vitamin Advisor and answer a few questions. 

Read

• Eat For Life
• Super Immunity
• Fasting and Eating for Health
• Position Paper: Autoimmune Disease

Learn

Sign up for the online Combat Autoimmune Disease and Cancer Masterclass

Other Considerations

Supervised, periodic water fasting can be used as an adjunct treatment for autoimmune conditions. I have documented remission of autoimmune diseases following supervised fasting in a published series of case reports.³⁰ Additional studies have found that fasting (followed by a vegetarian diet) reduces pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients.^{31, 32} Continuing to follow a Nutritarian diet after completing the fast is essential for sustaining the benefits of the fast. Fasting puts the body into a repair mode, facilitating the elimination of damaged molecules, reducing inflammation, and resetting the immune system.^{33, 34}