Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Information

Introduction

There are many conditions in Western industrialised societies today that were unheard of, or at least very rare, just a century ago. The same conditions are still unheard of in primitive peoples who do not have the 'benefits' of our knowledge. There is a very good reason for this: They eat what Nature intended; we don't. The diseases caused by our incorrect and unnatural diets are those featured on these pages.

Dietary causes:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis tends to accompany osteoporosis.[1] Osteoarthritis is also known to be more prevalent in those who are obese.[2] It's not surprising that joints protest at having to support a heavier body. Studies of ancient peoples and modern clinical trials have also shown that carbohydrates, particularly cereals, in the diet cause osteoarthritis.[3]

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is never found in animal remains. Neither has rheumatoid arthritis been found in skeletal remains of peoples whose diet is from animal sources. But rheumatoid arthritis has been found in all races and cultures eating wheat, rye and oats. This finding suggests that rheumatoid arthritis is a gluten-induced condition similar to coeliac disease.[4] Incorrect ratios of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is another possible cause of rheumatoid arthritis as vegetable oils make rheumatoid arthritis worse while eating fish oils and other omega-3 rich oils are of benefit.[5]

References

[1]. Karvonen RL, Miller PR, Nelson DA, et al. Periarticular osteoporosis in osteoarthritis of the knee. J Rheumatol 1998; 25: 2187-94

[2]. National Institutes of Health. Clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults: the Evidence Report. Bethesda, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, 1998.

[3]. Darlington LG, Ramsey NW, Mansfield JR. Placebo-controlled, blind study of dietary manipulation therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 1986; i: 236-238.

[4]. Medical World News. December 18, 1964.

[5]. Hagfors L, Nilsson I, Sköldstam L, Johansson G. Fat intake and composition of fatty acids in serum phospholipids in a randomized, controlled, Mediterranean dietary intervention study on patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Nutr Metab 2005; 2: 26.