Rheumatoid arthritis is a common disease that mainly affects middle-aged and elderly people. It is mainly caused by a lack of attention to cold and wind in daily life. Prevention and treatment of this disease should focus on dispelling wind and dampness, regulating the spleen and stomach, etc. Below, we will introduce the nutritional balance that rheumatoid arthritis patients should pay attention to.
Choose easily digestible foods
Supplementing vitamins A, C, D, E or foods rich in calcium, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, etc. can enhance immune function and prevent tissue oxidation or anemia.
Pay attention to a light diet and avoid spicy food. Try to eat less fatty foods and rely on carbohydrates and proteins as the main source of calories. Obesity can also affect rheumatoid arthritis, so overweight individuals should pay attention to healthy weight loss.
Moderate diet
Eat meals on time and in appropriate quantities. The texture and temperature of the food should be suitable. Do not overeat due to concerns about weak constitution or inadequate nutrition, as it can burden the spleen and stomach and impair digestion.
Include foods that dispel dampness and wind in daily diet, such as dates and coix seed. Coix seed, in particular, has the effect of removing dampness and dispelling wind. If the body tends to be hot, consume more foods like mung beans and watermelon. If the body tends to be cold, eat more lamb or beef, but the intake should not be excessive.
Properly handle diet supplementation and medication
Both diet supplementation and medication are beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis patients, but they should be based on the severity of the condition and the strength of the spleen and stomach's digestive function.
Avoid consuming fatty meats, high animal fat, and high cholesterol foods, as they can cause or exacerbate joint pain, swelling, osteoporosis, and joint damage. Limit consumption of sweets, as they can cause allergies and worsen synovitis, leading to joint swelling and increased pain.
While ginseng, white fungus, and donkey-hide gelatin can tonify qi and nourish blood, they should not be consumed by individuals with poor spleen and stomach function or damp-heat constitution, as it may worsen the condition.
