Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (316 page)

AVOID

Researchers have identified various foods as being the most likely triggers of rheumatoid arthritis. These include corn, wheat, cow’s milk, pork, oranges, oats, rye, eggs, beef, coffee, malt, cheese, grapefruit, lemons, tomatoes, and soy.

Oranges and orange juice can be mucus forming and irritating to the digestive tract.

Take out the nightshades and see if it makes a difference. Nightshades include white potatoes, tomatoes, paprika, eggplant, bell peppers, and, of course, tobacco. Some people are sensitive to the solanine in these foods. It is thought that the solanine interferes with the enzymes in the muscles, often causing pain and discomfort. In sensitive individuals, it could create arthriticlike symptoms. This nightshade rule of mine is the same for osteoarthritic sufferers, too. Solanine is also a calcium inhibitor, and arthritic sufferers may be deficient in calcium.

I have found in my practice that arthritics tend to do best when I take gluten out of the diet. There are some studies on arthritics that have revealed elevated levels of the gliadin antibodies. Arthriticlike symptoms have diminished in celiac sufferers on a gluten-free diet. So even though you may not have celiac disease but you do have arthritis, you could benefit greatly from a gluten-free diet.

Get totally rid of junk food, food with chemicals and colorings, carbonated drinks, pies, pastries, cakes, and cookies, as you don’t know what’s in them. If you want a treat, make your own.

HERBS

The herb yucca in extract form or capsule form can be very helpful for this condition. It’s best to take yucca in combination with the herb devil’s claw. Take two capsules three times daily.

Astragalus extract is a good source of the B vitamins, for the release of energy from food.

The Ayurvedic herb boswella has been found to be useful with this condition.

Take celery seed extract. It has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Take capsules of cayenne containing capsaicin, which is thought to block pain.

SUPPLEMENTS

The supplement quercetin also has anti-inflammatory properties. Take it between meals.

Alternatively, take bromelain in between meals.