Gluten increases inflammation!
Declaring that gluten increases inflammation with the destruction of the intestinal surface, Dietician Başak Satar, Coordinator of Feride Functional Life Center stated that the severity of rheumatoid arthritis can be reduced by applying a holistic, that is, functional nutritional therapy.
Rheumatoid arthritis, which is seen in 1 out of every 100 people in our country, can cause loss of shape and function in the joints if not treated. The disease, which usually occurs in the small joints of the hands and feet, can also be seen in areas such as knees, shoulders and hips. Dietician Başak Satar, Coordinator of Feride Functional Life Center, warned “This disorder can damage various body systems in some individuals, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.”
“Genetic and environmental factors can be effective”
Stating that genetic and environmental factors may be effective in the emergence of the disease, Dietician Başak Satar, Coordinator of Feride Functional Life Center said, “The importance of nutrition therapy has increased in recent years in order to reduce the severity of the disease, increase the standard of living and slow down its course. It is known that diet can positively affect the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis with the metabolic profile of rheumatoid arthritis patients, antioxidant levels and potential effects on the microbiota, that is, all the bacteria in our body.”
“The application of functional nutrition therapy has gained importance”
Expressing that the importance of functional nutrition therapy in rheumatoid arthritis has increased, Dietician Başak Satar said, “The application of a holistic nutritional therapy, that is, the application of functional nutrition therapy, has gained importance by adding foods with high antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory (inflammation-reducing/destroying) foods and spices to the diet, colorful nutrition and completing the missing vitamins and minerals of the body.”
Certain foods trigger disease progression
Declaring that some foods increase the severity of rheumatoid arthritis, Dietician Başak Satar said, “Some studies have shown that some foods trigger the development of the disease. Increased inflammation in the body causes C-reactive protein (CRP) levels to rise, increasing the severity of the disease. The diet, which is accepted as an environmental factor, can act as both a trigger and a router of the disease. For example, red meat consumption, excessive salt consumption, gluten, consumption of foods consumed in excess of need, foods such as raw tomatoes accelerate the progression of the disease. The recently increasing western-style diet, that is, rich in saturated and trans fats, low in omega-3 and high omega-6 fatty acids, and excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates and sugar-sweetened beverages both increase inflammation and increase insulin resistance, obesity indirectly. increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.”
Mediterranean diet plays a key role in disease control
Underlining that the Mediterranean diet, with its vitamins and minerals, plays a key role in reducing and reducing the severity of inflammation, Dietician Satar said, “The Mediterranean diet has an important place in the fight against the disease. The Mediterranean diet can provide positive effects on the course of the disease with the help of the natural anti-inflammatory properties of elements such as Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, and oleic acid found in olive oil. At the same time, nutrition with high antioxidant capacity, namely antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, copper, manganese, zinc and selenium; Nutritional components such as phytochemicals, flavonoids, green tea, ginger, turmeric, black pepper have positive effects on health. These nutritional components play an important role in the aggravation and reduction of inflammation.”
Gluten increases inflammation
“Gluten protein has an immunological effect for rheumatoid arthritis, that is, a trigger for the immune system to attack normal tissues.” Stating that gluten increases inflammation with the destruction of the intestinal surface, Dietician Başak Satar, “The increase in inflammation causes an increase in the severity of pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients. In a study, it was observed that the symptoms of the disease decreased after a while in rheumatoid arthritis patients who followed a gluten-free diet.”
Proper nutrition is important in supporting medical treatment
Adding that a correct nutrition protocol improves the quality of life of patients, Dietician Başak Satar, Coordinator of Feride Functional Life Center listed her recommendations on what kind of nutrition program should be followed by rheumatoid arthritis patients as follows:
“Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease; It occurs when the immune system attacks the body’s own joint tissue. Therefore, a chronic immune activation from leaky gut may be one of the factors that cause arthritis. An anti-inflammatory nutrition program that supports the immune system to work in the right rhythm supports medical treatment in the treatment of arthritis and can help relieve symptoms.”
A diet rich in Omega 3
“Rheumatoid arthritis patients need a rich diet of Omega 3. The immune system is supported due to the anti-inflammatory effect of omega 3 fatty acids. Flaxseed, chia seeds and walnuts are among the foods rich in Omega 3, especially sea fish and products. “
Meat, bone and chicken broth are important in the repair of the intestine.
“Since the chronic inflammation that causes rheumatoid arthritis is thought to be caused by leaky gut, collagen foods such as meat-bone-chicken broth should be used to repair the gut. In particular, type 2 collagen responsible for the joint and type 1-3 collagen are recommended. “
Avoid gluten and lectins
“From sugar, trans fats, Omega 6 fatty acids, sweeteners; Cereals such as gluten, lectin and legumes should be avoided, especially processed ones.
Milk and dairy products may increase symptoms
“It has been found that casein proteins in milk and dairy products can increase arthritis symptoms. The reason behind this; It is thought that milk and dairy products may cause molecular mimicry by triggering the formation of leaky gut and activating the immunity in the wrong direction of casein molecules moving to the body.
Molecular mimicry is the state of molecular similarity between harmful substances entering the body and body cells. The immune system, which is at war, mixes the harmful substance with its own body tissue and attacks its own tissue as well. This is the reason behind the formation of autoimmune diseases.”
