Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects more than a million people in the U.S., according to Healthline. It’s an autoimmune system disease, meaning your body’s own defenses attack healthy tissues which leads to painful swelling and inflammation in joints. While there are treatments for RA, including NSAIDs (over-the-counter painkillers such as Tylenol), there are also more powerful corticosteroid medications available.
Aside from prescription or non-prescription remedies, it turns out you can also adjust your diet to reduce symptoms of this disease. Here are some of the worst foods to eat with rheumatoid arthritis…
Fast Foods
It’s difficult to completely avoid getting that fast food burger and fries, especially if you’re on a tight schedule and need to fill the gap in your stomach quickly. But not only will fast food increase your risk of cardiovascular issues and diabetes (among other potential negative impacts), it will also likely worsen your RA symptoms.
WebMD says your favorite fast food combos are loaded with trans fat, which it says are added to foods to extend their shelf life. While they raise your “bad” cholesterol levels (that can lead to heart issues), they can also “trigger inflammation throughout your body,” notes the source.