Rheumatoid arthritis, diet and gut health

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder.  This is when the body's immune system improperly identifies the synovial membranes that secrete the lubricating fluid in the joints as foreign. The immune attack causes inflammation and the cartilage and tissue in and around the joints are damaged or destroyed.  The body replaces this tissue with scar tissue, causing the normal spaces within the joints to become narrow and the bones to fuse together. Almost all definitions of rheumatoid arthritis emphasize it is a chronic and inflammatory disease, which you can see with the red, swollen, tender joints.

Possible causes of immune confusion include:

Consumption of dairy products. Lectins are binding molecules common on cereal grains, legumes and in milk. Lectins are poorly digested, pass through the gut wall and activate the immune system. Lectins in the gut also increase the growth of E.Coli, whose antigen (identifying marker) is very similar to that of the synovial membrane antigen, so the immune system antibodies formed to fight the E coli also attach to the synovial cells, attracting the immune system to destroy them.

Blood type Os are the dominant sufferers of arthritis as they are intolerant to many foods, grains and potatos among them, whose lectins produce inflammatory reactions in their joints. They tend to develop a gritty type of arthritis, a chronic deterioration of the bone cartilage. Blood Type As tend to develop a puffy arthritis, which is the more acute rheumatoid form, a painful and debilitating breakdown of multiple joints. Blood type A specific lectins when injected into animals cause inflammation and joint destruction indistinguishable from rheumatoid arthritis.

Dysbiosis or an imbalance between the good gut flora and the pathogenic ones is associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis. One particular bacteria that has been found in higher levels in Rheumatoid Arthritis is Proteus miriabilis. When Rheumatoid Arthritis patients underwent a trial with fasting and a vegetarian diet, those showing the most clinical improvement had the most significant improvement in bowel flora. This type of diet is less putrefactive ie provided the least amount of maldigested food for pathogenic bacteria to feed from.

Many Rheumatoid Arthritis patientshave reduced stomach acidity. This leads to maldigested food, especially proteins, which then feed pathogenic bacteria creating dysbiosis and increased gut permeability. It also increases the likelihood of food allergies, also common in Rheumatoid arthritis.

Begin the diet change with a short fast, then follow these guidelines:

• Increase digestion with more stomach acid and enzymes – chew food thoroughly, eat in a relaxed environment, do not over eat, eat simple meals, try lemon juice or apple cider vinegar in half a glass of water before meals,
• Foods to avoid – meat, eggs, dairy,  tea, coffee, alcohol, aspirin and animal fat

·       Identify and Eliminate food allergens – wheat, corn, dairy, beef, nighshades, food additives, salicylates

• Foods that help kill or slow pathogenic growth – garlic, grape seed, green tea, anise seeds, oregano
• Foods that feed good flora – slippery elm, fibre, vegetables, legumes, arthichoke, onions, flax seed meal,

·       Foods that help normalise immune function and inflammation – tumeric, yogurt, whey proteins/immunoglobulins, kefir, ginger, oily fish, pineapple (particularly the core), paw paw, berries and cherries, brazil nuts

The information presented on this site is presented as a information guide and reference only, and is not intended as a substitute for competent advice and guidance by a qualified practitioner.

Copyright 2002-2008 -The Radiance Clinic
email: radiance@westnet.com.au
Mobile: 0403 194 226