What are the dietary taboos for rheumatoid arthritis?

Currently, there are no universal dietary taboos for rheumatoid arthritis recognized by the global medical community. However, based on clinical observations and actual feedback from most patients, it is generally recommended to avoid these three categories as much as possible: high-sugar processed foods, high-purine and high-saturated fat foods, and foods that are clearly known to induce discomfort.

Not long ago, I met an elder sister who has been ill for 5 years. She usually has very stable control with methotrexate and biologics. Even when the temperature changes during the season, she seldom suffers from pain. Last month, during the summer vacation, my child ate hamburgers, fried chicken, and full-sugar iced Coke for three days. Suddenly, her knees were so swollen that they even bent. No, the inflammation index doubled during the reexamination. Factors such as cold, fatigue, and missed medication were ruled out. In the end, the doctor determined that high-sugar and high-trans-fat foods triggered the inflammatory response in the body, which was equivalent to "handing a handful of firewood" to the inflammation that had been suppressed.

The widely circulated statement on the Internet now that "you can't eat soy products, beef, mutton, and even mushrooms" has actually been controversial. There are currently not enough large-sample studies to prove that these foods will directly aggravate the condition of rheumatoid arthritis. I have seen patients who drink a cup of freshly ground soy milk every day and eat beef stew twice a week. Their indicators have been very stable in the past five or six years. There are also a few patients who do experience worsening morning stiffness after eating soybeans. In essence, it is due to differences in individual immune responses, so there is no need to beat them to death with a stick.

As for the seafood that people ask the most about whether you can eat it, you don’t have to completely avoid it. If you have high uric acid, you should avoid eating high-purine foods such as sardines, fish roe, and animal offal. Otherwise, uric acid crystals will be deposited in the joint cavity that is already inflamed, which is equivalent to adding salt to the wound. The pain will definitely be more severe. However, if your uric acid is stable in the normal range all year round, and you occasionally eat a few steamed shrimps and a bowl of light seafood soup, there will be no problem at all.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you eat foods that are clearly uncomfortable. For example, some people are allergic to mangoes, wheat, and peanuts. They may only cause a rash or itchiness after eating them. However, if you have rheumatoid arthritis, the immune reaction caused by allergies may aggravate joint inflammation. In this case, you should pay more attention to keep a food diary. If you eat something that causes joint pain or stiffness, just avoid it next time. There is no need to follow the general taboo list on the Internet.

I have been dealing with rheumatoid-related patients for almost 7 years. I have seen too many people who dare not eat this or touch that according to the dozens of taboos listed on the Internet. In the end, they end up with anemia, low protein, weakened immunity, and the condition becomes more recurrent. It is really unnecessary. In the final analysis, diet is an auxiliary item. Don't regard it as a way to cure diseases, and don't put too many shackles on yourself. Balanced nutrition is the most important thing. After all, the body has enough resistance to better fight against the disease.