Now You Can Relax Your Joints with a Vegan Diet
Swedish researchers are of the opinion that rheumatoid arthritis sufferers can comfort their aching joints by eating a vegan diet. The researchers went onto explain that rheumatoid arthritis sufferers did not only have fewer swollen joints but the levels of antibodies also increased in their bodies. This in turn contributed in fighting the inflammation and discomfort at several joints.
Experts claim that a vegan diet also helps in fighting the risks of heart attacks and strokes by controlling the body mass index and the harmful LDL cholesterol levels. About 66 rheumatoid arthritis patients were examined under the Swedish study. 38 of them were put on a vegan diet and 28 on a non-vegan diet.
What did the vegan diet include?
The course meal for patients on the vegan diet included – fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Other foods that formed a part of their diet intake included corn, millet, sunflower seeds and rice.
What did the non-vegan diet include?
The non-vegan diet for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers included a diet rich in fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Whole grains were also included in their diets.
Researchers observed the patients for one year till which the anti-rheumatic therapy and medications continued.
Major Tools of the Study
Researchers used 3 major tools to determine whether a vegan diet could ease and comfort swollen and aching joints. The assertions of the study were based on the following criteria’s:
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- LDL cholesterol levels
- Anti- phosphorylcholine antibodies
Results of the Study
The study revealed the following results:
- The vegan group of patients reported a reduced BMI from an average of 24.1 to 22.7 and hence weighed lower after the vegan diet
- The LDL cholesterol levels also reduced for the vegan group thereby reducing the risks of heart diseases
- The vegan group showed an increase in antibodies which helped in fighting the swollen and painful joints
- The vegan group also reported a decrease in the number of swollen joints from an average of 5.3 to 4.3
Dr. Peter Fisher, a rheumatologist from the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, expressed just one concern for the arthritis patients – malnutrition or under nutrition from a vegan diet.
This, he emphasized, would happen on account of the body being devoid of essential nutrients like – iron, Vitamin B12, calcium and omega 3 fatty acids which are an absolute must for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition, experts say that it requires a great deal of will power to shift to a vegan diet forever. Hence, the researchers are considering a follow-up on the study to leave no room for worry.