Diet for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

While living with arthritis is certainly no picnic for the elderly, the resulting pains caused by arthritis seem even more devastating when endured by the young. Although specific diets have not been shown to cure juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, there are nevertheless specific measures you can take to mitigate the effects of arthritis on your joints, allowing you some measure of a pain-free life.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease of inflammation that appears gradually, with ever worsening symptoms. During its initial stages, symptoms include a general fatigue, weakness, reduction in appetite, and stiffness in the mornings. Eventually, the disease progresses to chronic joint pain, affecting the joints of both sides of the body. The inflammation caused by the disease manifests in feelings of warmth and stiffness throughout the affected areas.

Arthritis and Diet

As a disease of inflammation, it stands to reason that foods which serve as anti-inflammatories could benefits sufferers of arthritis. One dietary approach that has been shown to curb inflammation is a low-carb diet. Low-carb diets are effective at reducing inflammation throughout the body, and there are certain "tweaks" you can make to ensure that your low-carb diet is as effective as possible for helping with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Low-Carb Plan

As we are dealing with developing children, an ultra-low carb diet might not be the best course of action, as it could deprive their body of nutrients they need to properly develop. Thus, try implementing a restricted carb diet to combat arthritis. Consume as many carbs as you want, but only carbs which come from fruits and vegetables. In addition to that, feed your child plenty of lean protein (as the omega-6 fats in protein sources like fatty animal meat has been shown to increase inflammation). Quality lean protein sources include eggs, chicken and especially fish--fish is rife with omega-3 fats, which have been shown to positively affect inflammation throughout the body. Finally, round out their diet with plenty of foods containing mono and polyunsaturated fats, such as coconuts, avocados, walnuts and almonds.

Supplement With Fish Oil

A 2000 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition touted the benefits of fish oil supplementation for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis. There, the group that was given fish oil had a noticeable reduction in both joint tenderness and morning stiffness. Three to five grams was the daily amount provided in the study, so consider picking up an over-the-counter brand of fish oil and starting supplementation today.

Soy Substitutes

Finally, consider substituting some meals for soy to further decrease inflammation. A 2002 study of the American Pain Society at Johns Hopkins University found that increased soy intake was correlated to reduced pain and swelling in rats. In addition to these benefits, soy is low in saturated fat and has been a primary staple of Asian diets, whose population experiences much lower rates of most cancers than Western societies.