So make your fave fruits, vegetables and whole grains a part of your diet. Your body will thank you later.
- Add extra-virgin olive oil to meals.
- Make sure to consume foods that contain selenium.
There’s a reason that experts stress olive oil as an essential element of an RA-friendly diet. Olive oil has been shown to reduce inflammation.
According to Authority Nutrition, olive oil is filled with oleocanthal. Studies have shown that this antioxidant can act in the same way as ibuprofen because it reduces inflammation by blocking enzymes that drive it. The oleic acid found in olive oil is thought to lower CRP levels. And best of all, research has shown that the antioxidants found in olive oil can be beneficial in inhibiting genes and proteins related to inflammation.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, it takes three and a half tablespoons of olive oil to reap the benefits of one 200-milligram ibuprofen tablet. That’s a hefty amount of calories.
Experts say that those with RA have been found to have low levels of selenium. According to the George Mateljan Foundation, this mineral plays an important role in health. Selenium can be found in fish, meat, whole grains, and even nuts and seeds.
That said, one of the best sources of selenium is tuna. This fish provides more than 200 percent of the amount of selenium needed in a day. In addition, shrimp is a good choice. Beef, chicken, turkey and sunflower seeds also can serve as a source of obtaining this mineral.