Mediterranean Diet Useful to Ease Pain

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Mediterranean Diet to Ease Pain JoAnn Guest Jul 26, 2003 19:16 PDT

Mediterranean Diet to Ease Pain JoAnn Guest

Jun 23, 2003 14:15 PDT

 

 

By Darin Ingels, ND

http://www.livingnaturally.com/corp/getpage.asp?contentid=45 & articleID=4890

 

 

 

Healthnotes Newswire (June 19, 2003)—

 

You may experience decreased inflammation in your joints,

improved physical function, and increased vitality by consuming a

Mediterranean diet, according to a new study in Annals of Rheumatic

Diseases (2003;62:208–14).

 

The findings of the new study suggest that

relatively minor dietary changes can significantly improve the quality

of life.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that affects more than 1% of

all Americans and most often becomes symptomatic between the ages of 25

and 50.

 

Women are twice as likely as men to get this disease. Although

the exact cause of RA is unknown, it is known that the immune system

attacks the body and causes destruction in connective tissue,

particularly in small joints such as the hands, feet, ankles, wrists,

and elbows. Symptoms include stiffness in the joints, which is usually

worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity, physical

deformities, and pain in the joints.

 

In the new study, 51 Swedish adults with RA of at least two years'

duration were randomly assigned to consume a Mediterranean diet or a

typical Western diet for three months.

 

The Mediterranean diet consists primarily of fish, fruit, vegetables,

cereals, and beans and contains

less red meat than do Western diets.

 

The main sources of fat in food preparation, baking, and salad

dressings are extra-virgin olive oil.

 

A specific measurement of disease activity based on

joint swelling and tenderness, inflammation, and pain was performed

every three weeks. Questionnaires about physical function and quality of

life were given at the same intervals.

 

Those consuming the Mediterranean diet had a statistically significant

56% decrease in disease activity, based on reductions in joint swelling,

tenderness, and pain.

 

A modest improvement in physical functioning was also reported in the

Mediterranean diet group, as well as increased

vitality and a better sense of well-being compared with one year

earlier.

 

The majority of these benefits were not seen until after six

weeks of treatment.

 

Individuals in the Mediterranean diet group had a

small, but significant decrease in weight of about seven pounds (3 kg)

and a slight decrease in total cholesterol. No significant change in any

 

measurement was observed in those consuming the standard diet.

 

Other nutritional supplements that have been shown to be effective in

treating RA include fish oil, borage oil, vitamin E, vitamin B5

(pantothenic acid), selenium, zinc, and green-lipped mussel.

 

Herbal extracts of boswellia and Devil’s claw alsoreduce the swelling

associated with RA.

 

Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue

University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr

University in Kenmore, WA.

 

Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol

(Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments

for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in private practice

at New England Family Health Associates located in Southport, CT, where

he specializes in environmental medicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a

regular contributor to Healthnotes and Healthnotes Newswire.

 

2003 Healthnotes, Inc.

 

JoAnn Guest

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