Fw: Mediterranean diet may help arthritis

[Guest guest]

FYI! mm

Martha National Silicone Implant Foundation | Dallas Headquarters

" Supporting Survivors of Medical Implant Devices "

4416 Willow Lane

Dallas, TX 75244-7537

----- Original Message -----

From: " Myrl Jeffcoat " <myrlj@...>

<myrlj@...>

Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 3:36 AM

Subject: Mediterranean diet may help arthritis

> Mediterranean diet may help arthritis

>

> http://www.msnbc.com/news/874817.asp?0bl=-0

>

> Patients eating more olive oil, fish report fewer symptoms

>

> Feb. 19 - A Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, fish, poultry, fruit

and

> vegetables, can relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, scientists

> said on Wednesday.

>

> 'The treated group felt significantly improved compared to the controls

> after three months with this diet.'

> - DR. LARS SKOLDSTAM

>

> ALTHOUGH A Mediterranean diet is usually recommended to reduce the risk of

> heart disease, a study in Sweden found it reduced the pain and improved

the

> physical function of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

>

> After three months on the diet, arthritis patients lost an average of 6.6

> pounds, had lower cholesterol levels and less pain in their joints than a

> control group patients who did not change their eating habits.

>

> " The treated group felt significantly improved compared to the controls

> after three months with this diet, " said Dr. Lars Skoldstam, who led the

> study.

>

> Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease in which the body's immune

> system attacks cartilage in the joints. It affects about two percent of

the

> population but more women suffer from it than men.

>

> HEART DISEASE CONNECTION?

>

> A study released earlier this week by scientists in the United States

showed

> women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may face up to double the risk

of

> heart attack than those without the disorder.

>

> Arthritis linked to heart disease

>

> Skoldstam, who reported the findings in the ls of the Rheumatic

> Diseases, believes there are connections between rheumatoid arthritis and

> heart disease.

>

> " There are connections, anti-inflammation possibilities from weight

> reduction and from this kind of diet, that I believe are favorable for

> rheumatoid arthritis, " Skoldstam added.

>

> Inflammation is an important factor in rheumatoid arthritis and doctors

also

> believe it could be a component in heart disease.

>

> Skoldstam called for further research and larger studies into the impact

of

> a Mediterranean diet on arthritis patients.

>

>

> delete all copies from your system. Thank you.

>

>