Diet To Lose Weight With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder of an unknown etiology characterized by swelling of three or more joints, involvement of small joints of hands and wrists, symmetry of joint involvement, and morning stiffness lasting for over an hour. It starts with involvement of fewer joints initially & later affects a greater number of joints. Advanced stages of the disease involve deformities such as deviated fingers, swan neck fingers, finger subluxation, hammertoes, flat feet, and fixed contractures of large joints.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Rheumatoid Factor (RF- RA Factor is incorrect) and Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies (ACPA) are a couple of tests used to diagnose the condition. X-rays are used to note the destructive changes in the joints which can detect the stage of RA.

The risk of RA increased by 13% for every 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI. Adipose tissue contributes to physiological and pathological processes associated with inflammation and immunity. It secretes proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory metabolically and hormonally active substances, and produces cytokines and chemokines. These chemicals set in an inflammatory condition of the joints. The inflammation then makes the joints painful & limits the day to day activities. RA patients adapt to a sedentary lifestyle with the fear of pain & thus gain more weight. They are thus trapped into a vicious loop.

The Anti Inflammatory Diet For Rheumatoid Arthritis

As Obesity is strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis, weight loss with a calorie deficit diet & physical activity helps in reducing the inflammatory changes of the joints. Active lifestyle, regular exercise (aerobic – walking, swimming, Yoga), weight control, adequate rest, avoidance of smoking and alcohol, and balanced diet (proteins, calories, and calcium ) are crucial for joint health.

Due to severe pain in the joints, exercising on a regular basis becomes very difficult. Also for RA Patients on corticosteroids, restricting calories is a challenging task as the side effect of steroids is increased hunger. Thus, the increased hunger & limitations of physical activity make it difficult for these individuals to lose weight.

One can thus opt for low calorie foods with high fiber which can help remain full for a longer period. Performing water aerobics in a heated pool works best because the warm water can be soothing and help relieve pain and stiffness from arthritis. Also, the water provides some resistance, which helps to tone and build muscle strength. Physiotherapy can help in improving the range of motion and strengthening of the joints. Splints, gadgets, and other appliances can be used to support the joint movements. Supplementation with n-3 PUFAs (such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) has been shown to change favorably the n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain.It’s never easy to shed pounds when your joints hurt and your rheumatoid arthritis meds get in the way. Try these tips to help you choose better foods and better ways to exercise.

Anti Inflammatory Diet

An estimated 1.5 million adult Americans have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and about two-thirds of them are obese, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

Besides the normal health risks of obesity, carrying around extra pounds puts more stress on already painful joints when you have RA. It also increases the risks for RA comorbidities, such as osteoporosis and heart disease. That’s why it’s very important to lose any extra weight you’re carrying and maintain a healthy weight once you reach your goal.

Here’s the tricky part: Though weight loss can help reduce the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, dieting can be very difficult. This is especially true if you’re taking corticosteroids to ease your pain, because a side effect of these drugs can be increased appetite. Here are eight steps to help you take control of your weight. (Before you make any changes, however, check with your doctor that your plans are safe for you.)

For Best Odds Of Achieving Ra Remission, Lose Weight And Quit Smoking

A weight loss diet for rheumatoid arthritis is based on the same principles recommended for just about everyone. Basically, you want to follow the Mediterranean Diet, which not only promotes health with its mostly plant-based, clean-eating approach, but has the added benefit of helping with weight loss, says Juan J. Maya Villamizar, MD,  a rheumatologist in Lake Worth, Florida.

Just because you are eating healthier foods doesn’t mean you can overeat. These foods still contain calories. “There are still some healthy fats in there, so you still need to watch your portion size, ” says Dr. Maya Villamizar.

Some medications given for rheumatoid arthritis, such as methotrexate (Trexall), can cause liver damage. If you’re taking methotrexate, certainly steer clear of alcohol, also a threat to liver health. Alcohol has calories — empty calories, the kind you want to avoid on a weight loss diet. If you do drink on occasion, do so in moderation and stay away from beer, which is very high in carbs, says Maya Villamizar. The American Heart Association recommends no more than one to two drinks a day for men, and one drink a day for women.

Biologics And Weight Gain — How To Limit Weight Change

It’s not always easy to get motivated to exercise when your joints ache and you are fatigued, but exercise can help to boost weight loss and is often recommended because it can actually ease rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. You might find exercising easier if you choose low-impact activities, such as walking, riding a stationary bike, ballet barre workout, or Pilates. Doing water aerobics in a heated pool is an excellent choice because the warm water can be soothing and help relieve pain and stiffness from arthritis. Also, the water provides some resistance, which helps you tone and build muscle strength. A trainer or physical therapist can help you devise a safe workout, but don’t wait for that to start exercising, says Maya Villamizar. Just listen to your body in terms of pain feedback.

In addition to low-impact aerobic exercises, you want to strengthen the muscles around joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Strengthening your muscles will improve joint stability and allow you to perform daily tasks more easily. Equipment choices for strengthening exercises range from lightweight therapeutic bands to medicine balls, dumbbells, and resistance machines. Start with 5 to 10 minutes three times a week, and do more as you build strength. Remember, the more you move, the more calories you burn, and the more calories you burn, the more weight loss you’ll achieve. Maya Villamizar points out, “This is definitely important for people with RA. Building muscle helps support and prevent injuries to your joints.” If you’re unsure of how to begin a strength-training program, hire a personal trainer who can map out a regimen tailored to your ability level.

If you’re not satisfied with your own low-calorie, healthy weight loss plan, ask your arthritis doctor to recommend a registered nutritionist who can help you. Together, you can develop a rheumatoid arthritis diet that includes the foods you like to eat, but in quantities that will enable you to lose weight and that contain the nutrients you need.

Arthritis Diet Recipes

Many weight loss experts recommend keeping a food diary. It helps to write down everything you eat — including how much and when — and review it carefully; you could be eating much more than you realize, which could explain why the bathroom scale isn’t moving. As you write in your food diary, be honest with yourself. A food diary is also helpful in tracking foods that may lead to flare-ups of your symptoms. Also, if you decide to work with a nutritionist, a diet journal could be a good starting point.

RA medications such as steroid prednisone (Deltasone) can lead to weight gain. “It is linked to fluid retention and increased appetite, ” explains Maya Villamizar. Talk to your doctor if prednisone is keeping you from reaching your weight loss goals. It’s important to treat inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis, but your doctor may be able to adjust your medications or find alternatives so that you have an easier time achieving weight loss. Other medications may also lead to weight gain — some that you may be taking for conditions other than RA — so it is important to go over all your meds and supplements with your doctor.

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