| Rheumatoid arthritis linked to food sensitivity |
04 Jun 2009 |
It is now well-documented that proteins found in foods like bread and cheese are very difficult for some of us to digest.
But did you know that sensitivity to certain proteins found in many staple foods can actually cause rheumatoid arthritis? In addition, when these proteins are removed from the diet of arthritis sufferers (via a Gluten-free and Dairy-free diet) their symptoms dramatically improve. (References and links below.)
Millions of people are intolerant to Yeasts, Gluten (from grains) and casein (from milk). Ignorance of this can cause debilitating symptoms which many of us live with. What many do not realise is that the body's efforts to fight the effects of these proteins can result in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Food intolerance (food sensitivity) is common - but often ignored
Sensitivity to foods is much more common than previously thought. Up to 75% (3 in 4 people) are affected. Many people with mild but chronic symptoms never consider food intolerance.
People feel that if they have eaten these foods all their lives with no problems - how could they suddenly become sensitive to them now? But the truth is, for some people their digestive systems have been battling with it since they were very small. Young bodies can cope.
As we age our bodies become less tolerant of our poor eating habits. Remember, man is essentially, biologically still a hunter-gatherer, as he was for millions of years.
Modern foods difficult to digest
Foods like grains and dairy foods only appeared about 10,000 years ago - a mere blip on the evolutionary scale. (Today we heavily sweeten and salt these foods as well.)
Before that humans only ate what they could hunt and gather: meat, fish, eggs, vegetables and fruits. And that's what our systems are designed to digest.
The massive swing to eating processed foods made from grains, sugar and dairy has taken a great toll on western or 'developed' peoples. Arthritis is one of those consequences.
Basically our digestive systems have not yet adapted to eating such foods, and as we age - symptoms appear . . . like rheumatoid arthritis among other auto-immune diseases.
Clinical evidence: a cause, a prevention and a cure
Here at foodintol® we don't make unsubstantiated claims, nor do we want to sensationalise the subject of food intolerance.
But the evidence is startling - and it's not even new. Some research on the effects of food intolerance dates back to the 1960s. See references below.
Of course not everybody with rheumatoid arthritis necessarily gets better on a Gluten-free Dairy-free diet. But many do.
Imagine becoming free of arthritis within a few short weeks - just by changing what you eat! People change their diets all the time. There is little downside and minimal risk. And so much to gain!
Not only is food intolerance the cause of some of humanity's gravest illnesses, but the scientific and medical literature shows that understanding and managing food intolerance (with a changed diet) can relieve patient distress and in some cases reverse the progress of the disease. (eg. Hafstrom et al. below.)
Getting accurate information
The internet has changed our lives forever. Now anyone can be well informed on any subject - by any publication - from any country, 24 hours a day.
Regular consumers just like you have easy access to the vast amounts of medical research being carried on around the globe. Of course, scientific journals can be difficult to navigate and are loaded with scientific language.
But that's where we come in. We search and cross-reference. We sift and sort. We make it simple to understand and easy to do. And we give terrific Club member support - all your queries and questions answered within 24 hours.
What you can do
If you suspect food intolerance you should do something about it. Like investigate using the guaranteed Detection Diet in The Tuesday Club. Left untreated these sensitivities have an increasing effect on your lifestyle of course. But more importantly they can contribute to an increased risk of arthritis and even some cancers. See Health Risks.
Becoming a member of The Tuesday Club not only allows you to identify which are your Problem foods, but you learn how to eat correctly to remain free of symptoms - permanently.
Choose to be a member for 2 months , 6 months or a whole year. You simply download the Diet journals and food guides from your computer then follow the guide tables. It's easy and is only a few dollars a week . . . More info
References- Cordain L, Cereal Grains: Humanity's Double Edged Sword. World Review of Nutrition & Dietetics, 1999;84:19-73
- Shatin R: Preliminary report of the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with high protein gluten-free diet and supplements. Med J Aust 1964;2:169-72.
- Williams R: Rheumatoid arthritis and food: a case study. Brit Med J 1981;283:563.
- Hafstrom I, Ringertz B, Spangberg A, von Zweigbergk L, Brannemark S, Nylander I, Ronnelid J, Laasonen L, Klareskog L. A vegan diet free of gluten improves the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis: the effects on arthritis correlate with a reduction in antibodies to food antigens. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2001 Oct;40(10):1175-9.
- Perez-Maceda B, Lopez-Bote JP, Langa C, Bernabeu C.: Antibodies to dietary antigens in rheumatoid arthritis--possible molecular mimicry mechanism. Clin Chim Acta. 1991 Dec 16;203(2-3):153-65.
- Ledochowski M, Widner B, Bair H, Probst T, Fuchs D.: Fructose- and sorbitol-reduced diet improves mood and gastrointestinal disturbances in fructose malabsorbers. Scand J Gastroenterol 2000; 35:1048-1052.
- Cottliar A, Palumbo M, La Motta G, de Barrio S, Crivelli A, Viola M, Gomez JC, Slavutsky I.: Telomere length study in celiac disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2003 Dec;98(12):2727-31. Holmes GK, Prior P, Lane MR, Pope D, Allan RN.: Malignancy in coeliac disease--effect of a gluten free diet. Gut. 1989 Mar;30(3):333-8.
- Verkarre V, Romana SP, Cerf-Bensussan N.: Gluten-free diet, chromosomal abnormalities, and cancer risk in coeliac disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2004 Feb;38(2):140-2.
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