Rheumatoid arthritis can be a devastating and very literally crippling condition. Most clearly expressed as severe and painful inflammation and swelling around flexible joints such as knuckles, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to serious disability if not addressed and treated effectively. New research suggests that a diet low in animal products may help prevent or reduce the risk of arthritis.
Animal products contain a compound called Neu5Gc, which the human body does not synthesize on its own. Neu5Gc has been implicated in stimulating cancer growth, and its presence has been discovered in human tumors. Human genes are incapable of creating this, so it became suspected that the body absorbed it from animal products.
Researchers ate an entirely vegan diet and used only vegan products (i.e. soaps, shampoo, etc.) for a few days to clear their system of any animal products. Then, they consumed a drink dense in animal products. In a matter of days Neu5Gc was detected in their saliva, urine, and even their hair. The researchers could conclude with near certainty that Neu5Gc was introduced to the body through animal products.
From this research and the ties between Neu5Gc and cancer, it is beginning to be supposed that there could be a possible link between consuming animal products and the inflammation of joints in rheumatoid arthritis. Vegetarian and vegan diets have already been found to improve rheumatoid arthritis.
If you or a loved one is at risk or suffering from this painful affliction, try removing animal products from the diet. You will most likely feel a marked improvement within a few weeks. And with science continuing to point to a connection between Neu5Gc and cancer and even arterial inflammation leading to heart disease, there is plenty of literature pointing to why limiting animal products in our diet may be more crucial for our health than ever.
Read the entire article here: Plant-Based Diets for Rheumatoid Arthritis
