Dr. David Crawford shares natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis

Dr. David Crawford understands that rheumatoid arthritis is a very painful condition that causes fatigue, joint swelling, and agony, especially since the disorder is caused by a person’s own immune system attacking the joints. It cannot be completely cured, so patients are always on the lookout for any aid that can help reduce the painful symptoms. There are many drugs that can help slow joint damage and ease the symptoms. However, they come with side effects such as nausea, anemia, high blood sugar, bone loss, and an increased risk for infection, thus leading patients to seek natural and alternative therapies to supplement the prescription medications they are already taking.

Here are some natural ways to help ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis:

Diet

Patients with RA are highly recommended to try the Mediterranean diet, which is abundant in healthy fats and fiber and emphasizes the consumption of vegetables, lean meats, fish, fruits, whole grains, and fish oil. They are also discouraged from consuming processed foods that are high in enriched flours, as these might have inflammatory effects. Inflammation is said to be the most common trigger of RA and other autoimmune diseases.

Exercise

Exercises that do not put a lot of strain on your joints are ideal, and yoga fits the bill. It strengthens the core, improves overall mobility, and reduces stress. Recent studies have shown that stress impacts disease activity a lot – the more stressed you are, the more likely you are to suffer from the symptoms.

Probiotics

Dr. David Crawford strongly recommends the intake of probiotics, as recent data have suggested that microbiome problems may be involved in the development of RA. Probiotics and prebiotics are known to be anti-inflammatory and are known to strengthen the immune system.

Fatty acids

Not all forms of fat is bad, and Omega-3 fatty acids are known not only to be anti-inflammatory, it also has the added benefit of keeping your heart healthy.