Table of contents:
- Various taboos that people with rheumatism need to avoid
- 1. Cigarettes
- 2. Strenuous activity or exercise
- 3. Lazy motion
- 4. Cold weather
- Rheumatism foods that you need to avoid
- 1. Alcohol
- 2. Foods containing sweeteners and refined carbohydrates
- 3. Red and processed meat
- 4. Foods containing omega-6
- In addition to abstinence, also know which foods are recommended for rheumatism
- Fish
- Olive oil
- Whole grains
- Nuts
- Vegetables and fruits
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or rheumatism is a chronic inflammation that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints. This disease cannot be completely cured, so the sufferer needs to control the symptoms and disease progression so that it does not get worse. One way to control rheumatism is to avoid various restrictions, including food, which can make the disease worse.
Then, rheumatism sufferers also need to do various things, including choosing foods, which are recommended to improve their quality of life. So, what are the taboos for people with rheumatism, including foods that can and should not be consumed?
Various taboos that people with rheumatism need to avoid
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis that you are experiencing can recur if you do not undergo the rheumatoid treatment as recommended and do activities that are not recommended.
The following are various activities that are taboo for rheumatism, so they need to be avoided to reduce the risk of recurrence in yourself:
1. Cigarettes
The smoking habit is one of the risk factors for rheumatic disease. Therefore, if you already have rheumatism and are still smoking, the disease you have and the symptoms that arise can get worse.
The reason is, reported by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, smoking is associated with the production of rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies, both of which can increase the risk of developing rheumatic disease. In addition, smoking has also been shown to reduce the effectiveness of antirheumatic drugs that you are taking, such as methotrexate and TNF inhibitors.
2. Strenuous activity or exercise
Doing strenuous activities, including high-intensity exercise, can put more strain on your joints. This condition can certainly make your joints even more painful and your daily activities will be disrupted.
Therefore, you should avoid this one taboo so that the rheumatism you experience does not get worse. There are some sports or activities that you need to avoid, such as running, jumping, high-intensity aerobics, tennis, or lifting heavy weights, and repeating the same movements over and over.
3. Lazy motion
Doing strenuous activities can add weight to your joints, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do sports or make you lazy to move. The reason is, lazy to move or too much rest can actually increase stiffness in the joints and muscles around the joints to become weak.
Therefore, you should avoid these restrictions so that your rheumatism does not recur. You can work around this by doing a variety of mild exercise, such as walking, cycling, swimming, strength training, stretching, yoga, or tai chi, and don't push yourself when exercising. Consult your doctor or therapist first before you undergo it.
4. Cold weather
Not all arthritis sufferers, including rheumatoid arthritis, experience worsening symptoms when the weather is cold or when the temperature drops. Therefore, it is still a matter of debate whether cold weather is a taboo for people with rheumatism.
However, explained by Vinicius Domingues, one of the rheumatologists from Florida, United States, a decrease in air pressure in cold weather can cause the joints to enlarge, so that the joints will feel more painful in people with rheumatism. However, this has not been fully proven.
Rheumatism foods that you need to avoid
Certain foods or drinks are said to cause inflammation in the body and increase body weight. Both of them can aggravate the rheumatism you have. Therefore, you should avoid or limit some of the dietary restrictions or causes of rheumatism. Here's the list:
1. Alcohol
Experts argue, consuming small amounts of alcohol is still allowed and not harmful to health. However, consuming excess alcohol can actually damage the liver, cause inflammation, and increase the chance of side effects from the medications you are taking.
For those of you who take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen to treat rheumatism, you should avoid alcohol because it can increase the risk of stomach bleeding and liver problems. Therefore, you should avoid these restrictions to keep your rheumatism under control.
2. Foods containing sweeteners and refined carbohydrates
Foods or drinks containing sweeteners, such as soda, juice, or cakes, need to be limited because they can trigger the release of cytokines that can cause inflammation in the body. The sweetener itself can come from table sugar or refined sugar which generally has a last name "oseOr "osa" on food packaging labels.
In addition, you also need to avoid refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, white rice, or pasta and cereals made from white flour, because they can trigger obesity and inflammation, which can worsen the rheumatism you have.
3. Red and processed meat
Red and processed meats contain saturated and trans fats, which can lead to inflammation and obesity. In addition, many processed meat products are added with preservatives or other additives that can cause inflammatory reactions, including in people with rheumatism.
Meat that is grilled or fried at very high temperatures can produce an inflammatory reaction and cause tissue damage in the body, because it contains advanced glycation end products(AGEs) are high. Apart from red and processed meat, dairy products also contain saturated fat, so it is one of the rheumatic taboos to avoid.
4. Foods containing omega-6
Foods containing omega-6 fatty acids, such as butter, vegetable oil, or canola oil, are indeed healthy for your body. However, eating too much of these foods is not good for your health, so that the rheumatism you have is difficult to control.
In addition to abstinence, also know which foods are recommended for rheumatism
When you have avoided foods that are taboo, you should start eating foods that can actually help you heal rheumatism. Here are some foods that are recommended for people with rheumatism:
Certain types of fish, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, or herring, contain omega-3 fatty acids that can help reduce inflammation. Consuming omega-3 fatty acids can also balance the levels of omega-6 fatty acids which are not good for people with rheumatism if consumed in excess.
You can consume 3-4 ounces of fish 2 times a week to get these benefits. Apart from fish, you can also get omega-3s through walnuts, flaxseeds, or soybeans.
Olive oil contains healthy monounsaturated fats and oleochantal compounds which are antioxidants, which can reduce inflammation. Even the efficacy of olive oil is said to be the same as the drug ibuprofen in reducing pain in people with rheumatism. However, consumption of olive oil should not be excessive because it can increase your weight.
Whole grain foods, such as oats, wheat, brown rice, quinoa, and others, can lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and reduce the risk of heart disease in people with rheumatism. Thus, this food is recommended for people with rheumatism because it can prevent rheumatic complications, one of which is related to heart problems.
Nuts, such as peas, kidney beans, and black beans, are other foods recommended for arthritis sufferers. This type of food contains fiber which can lower CRP levels as well as a source of protein which is important for muscle health. In addition, nuts also contain folic acid, iron, magnesium, zinc, and potassium which are good for heart health and the immune system.
Vegetables and fruits are important food sources that are good for everyone, including people with rheumatism. These foods are rich in antioxidants that help fight inflammation and cell damage. The vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols in it also help lower CRP levels, which are a sign of inflammation.
To get these benefits, consume 2-3 cups of vegetables and two cups of fruit every day with different variations. As for some vegetables and fruits that are good for rheumatism sufferers, such as berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries), oranges, spinach, kale, broccoli, and others.
In addition to the list above, you can also choose various spices or other food ingredients that are commonly used as natural remedies for rheumatism. However, you should first consult with your doctor before consuming it.
