Rheumatoid Arthritis This is a potentially devastating autoimmune disease. In-spite of using powerful drugs many people are still in considerable pain. For some people a change in diet could bring some welcome relief. There are more studies on rheumatoid arthritis and diet than any other autoimmune disease. The majority of the studies have been using either vegetarian diets including eggs and dairy, or completely vegetarian diets. What is most important is that these diets are also protective against other diseases such as atherosclerosis and some cancers. The drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis have no such benefits. I will not go so far as to declare that diet is at the root of all rheumatoid arthritis. Though I think if you review the literature yourself, you’ll come that the conclusion that some people benefit greatly with a switch to a plant-based diet. Dr. McDougall has an article about his research into the effects of diet on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Not all physicians will share his enthusiasm or agree with his interpretations. But I think its worth taking a look at the data he presents. There is certainly nothing to lose by trying the diet, except a few pounds or some excess cholesterol. Diet: The Only Real Hope for Arthritis by Dr. McDougall Here’s a somewhat more conservative view on diet and arthritis Foods and Arthritis from PCRM Here are a few articles you can can review yourself. 1: Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Oct;35(2):77-94. Diet and rheumatoid arthritis: a review of the literature. Stamp LK, James MJ, Cleland LG. 2: J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Feb;8(1):71-5. Effects of a very low-fat, vegan diet in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis. McDougall J, Bruce B, Spiller G, Westerdahl J, McDougall M. 3: Rheumatology (Oxford). 2001 Oct;40(10):1175-9. A vegan diet free of gluten improves the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis: the effects on arthritis correlate with a reduction in antibodies to food antigens. Hafström I, Ringertz B Go to Diet for Autoimmune Disease Return to the Autoimmune Main Page

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This is a potentially devastating autoimmune disease. In-spite of using powerful drugs many people are still in considerable pain. For some people a change in diet could bring some welcome relief.

There are more studies on rheumatoid arthritis and diet than any other autoimmune disease. The majority of the studies have been using either vegetarian diets including eggs and dairy, or completely vegetarian diets. What is most important is that these diets are also protective against other diseases such as atherosclerosis and some cancers. The drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis have no such benefits.

I will not go so far as to declare that diet is at the root of all rheumatoid arthritis. Though I think if you review the literature yourself, you’ll come that the conclusion that some people benefit greatly with a switch to a plant-based diet.

Dr. McDougall has an article about his research into the effects of diet on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Not all physicians will share his enthusiasm or agree with his interpretations. But I think its worth taking a look at the data he presents. There is certainly nothing to lose by trying the diet, except a few pounds or some excess cholesterol.

Diet: The Only Real Hope for Arthritis by Dr. McDougall

Here’s a somewhat more conservative view on diet and arthritis Foods and Arthritis from PCRM

Here are a few articles you can can review yourself.

1: Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Oct;35(2):77-94.

Diet and rheumatoid arthritis: a review of the literature.

Stamp LK, James MJ, Cleland LG.

2: J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Feb;8(1):71-5.

Effects of a very low-fat, vegan diet in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis.

McDougall J, Bruce B, Spiller G, Westerdahl J, McDougall M.

3: Rheumatology (Oxford). 2001 Oct;40(10):1175-9.

A vegan diet free of gluten improves the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid

arthritis: the effects on arthritis correlate with a reduction in antibodies

to food antigens.

Hafström I, Ringertz B

Go to Diet for Autoimmune Disease

Return to the Autoimmune Main Page