Rheumatoid Arthritis and diet: What is the connection?

TORONTO - Feb. 6, 2014 - PRLog -- Do you have Rheumatoid Arthritis?  If you do, then I advise you to read this, for it might change the course of your life.  In this article, I will break down in simple steps, the reasons why Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) might be caused by your diet.

RA affects about 1% of our population and at least two million Americans have definite or classical Rheumatoid Arthritis.  This number has increased in recent years.  In 2010, about 2.5% of white women developed RA.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that typically affects the small joints in your hands and feet. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues. In addition to causing joint problems, rheumatoid arthritis sometimes can affect other organs of the body — such as the skin, eyes, lungs and blood vessels.

Although rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, it usually begins after age 40. The disorder is much more common in women than in men. Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and preventing joint damage.