Sufferers of the distressing joint and muscle pain associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can benefit immensely by adding certain foods to their diet. However, before you start making your new anti-arthritis menu choices, it’s helpful to know a little medical background about the condition itself. RA is a malfunction of the autoimmune system caused primarily by an oxygen deficiency in the cells of the body’s joints and muscles, which results in the pain and stiffness that defines this disease. If at all possible, and certainly with your doctors approval (if you’re taking prescription Xeljanz, Tremfya, Actemra, Rinvoq, Skyrizi, Simponi aria, Apremilast, or over the counter pain relievers like Voltaren and Advil) consider this list of foods that have well documented anti-inflammatory properties, along with a few that you definitely should pass up:

1. Fatty fish
The abundance of omega-3s fatty acids contained in this type of fish make them some of the best anti-inflammatory foods around. Omega-3s inhibit the spread of inflammation, while at the same time, mitigate the enzyme production that triggers an arthritic flare-up. The vitamin D present in fish such as mackerel, cod, and herring helps to reduce pain and soreness.

2. Sweet peppers, fruits, and leafy greens
Besides being very tasty and versatile in cooking, fruits and vegetables are a good source of natural vitamin C. This vitamin is a major component of rheumatoid arthritis diet, principally because it assists in the formation of collagen in connective tissues, including cartilage. A strong, healthy presence of cartilage in the joints provides a welcome cushion to aching joints. One must be careful not to overdo it with massive doses of vitamin C supplements, as this can aggravate some forms of osteoarthritis.

3. Brazil nuts
These nuts have been found to have, ounce for ounce, more of the mineral selenium than practically any other food. Selenium has the ability to combine with certain antioxidants to flush cell damaging free radicals away. This relates directly to restoring healthy cell structure in the joints after an arthritic episode.

4. Onions and leeks
Some may object to the strong odor of these vegetables, but this is an indication of the powerful disease-fighting compounds inside. Onions, leeks and shallots all contain an abundance of the flavonoid quercetin, a natural anti-inflammatory that works to suppress pain in a manner similar to aspirin and ibuprofen.

5. Green tea
The polyphenols in green tea are antioxidants that have the wonderful ability to halt production of joint damaging molecules, while at the same time, helping to repair disease ravaged cartilage.

6. Avoid shellfish and red meat
Eating too much of either of these creates excessive uric acid in the blood, which can lead to the formation of sharp, pain inducing crystals in the joints.

7. Shun corn, safflower, and soybean oils
All vegetable-based oils should be used sparingly, due to the large concentration of omega-6 fatty acids, which actually increase inflammation. They are present in almost all commercial baked goods and snacks.

8. Pass on sugar
Practically everyone has heard or read that a diet high in refined sugar increases your chances of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity, but few are aware of the direct negative impact excessive sugar has on rheumatoid arthritis. Too much sugar intake results in a calcium-phosphate imbalance in the bloodstream. These two elements are vital to a cell’s structure and ability to absorb oxygen. Once this abnormality sets in, it’s only a matter of time before the immune system reacts by perversely attacking these now weakened cells. This is precisely what happens in the joints during an arthritic flare-up. (https://spinemd.com)