Mediterranean Diet?

[Guest guest]

Hi, I just joined this group and have been reading some of the

messages. I had an episode of what I think may have been RA that

lasted for a few days a couple of weeks ago, then nothing. I've got

my fingers crossed (fortunately, I can cross them now without

hurting!)

Anyway, my question is that I was doing some research on the net and

it seems like the Mediterranean Diet is beneficial for RA or any type

of arthritis because it is anti-inflammatory (which is why it's good

for heart disease too). I did a search on the message board here and

it doesn't look like it's something that's been discussed. Has

anyone here tried this??

Here's an article from WebMD, discussing the Swedish study.

Greek Diet Eases Rheumatoid Arthritis

Improves Physical Function, Vitality

By Sid Kirchheimer

WebMD Medical News Archive Reviewed By , MD

on Wednesday, February 19, 2003

> Email to a friend > Printer-friendly version

Feb. 19, 2003 -- The so-called " Mediterranean diet, " already believed

to help prevent heart disease and some forms of cancer, may also

reduce the pain and swelling of joints stricken with rheumatoid

arthritis -- although relief may not begin for at least six weeks,

suggests a new study.

Still, significant improvement was reported by most of the 26

arthritic patients who followed the well-studied dietary regimen for

three months. The Mediterranean diet includes olive and canola oils

as the primary dietary sources of fat -- along with plenty of fish,

poultry, produce, and legumes, say Swedish researchers. By

comparison, no relief was reported by another group of 25 patients

who followed a typical Western diet.

Their finding, published in the March issue of ls of Rheumatic

Diseases, is the latest to suggest arthritis relief may result from

this eating plan, which is typical on Crete and other Greek islands.

Just over two years ago, University of Buffalo researchers found that

mice fed high doses of fish oil and vitamin E -- abundant in the two

oils studied by the Swedish investigators -- had reduced levels of a

specific protein that causes joint swelling and pain. And just a few

months earlier, Greek investigators found that a similar

Mediterranean diet reduced the onset of rheumatoid arthritis by

nearly three-fold compared with those who ate less olive oil and

fewer fruits and vegetables.

And once again, it appears as though the ingredients in these key

cooking oils may be the key to relief. In addition to being good

sources of heart-healthy fats, olive and canola oils are rich in

oleic acid and vitamin E. Like vitamin E, oleic acid has an anti-

inflammatory effect and is thought to reduce inflammatory protein

levels.

The fish eaten by these study participants didn't have the same high

levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids found in cold-water fish

such as salmon, mackerel, and others associated with a reduced risk

of heart disease and other conditions. But the nutrients in these

oils may have a similar anti-inflammatory effect. And like produce,

they're also good sources of other antioxidant phytochemicals

believed to reduce inflammation and inhibit tissue damage. The other

foods in the studied diet -- legumes, poultry, and cereals -- are low

in fat, which may further reduce inflammation.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks

the joints -- and other parts of the body in more severe cases --

leading to inflammation and pain that eventually erodes bone and soft

tissue. It affects more than 2 million Americans, most of them women.

In this study, which lasted only three months, researchers studied

people with rheumatoid arthritis, average age 58, who had the disease

for at least two years. Those on the Mediterranean diet first began

to experience relief after six weeks (although their cholesterol

levels dropped after three) and improvement continued throughout the

study. In addition to being provided with meals, those patients also

received nutritional counseling on how to cook more healthfully. They

lost an average of seven pounds by study's end.

Meanwhile, those on a diet richer in dairy foods and red meat --

typical in Sweden as well as the U.S. -- also received prepared

meals, but no counseling. They lost no weight and reported no

measurable symptom relief. None of the study participants in either

group had previously followed the Mediterranean or a vegetarian-based

diet.

" The results of this intervention program indicate that a Cretan

Mediterranean diet suppresses disease activity in patients who have

stable and modestly active rheumatoid arthritis, " write the

researchers. " Thus, by eating a Mediterranean diet for three months,

patients with RA can obtain better physical function and increase

their activity. In theory, even a minor effect that is persistent and

accumulates over time might be important. "

----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

SOURCES: ls of Rheumatic