Hi, Keen to start addressing my diet with a view to inflammation. Having done a fair bit of internet research there are some basics which are the same everywhere. But if you delve further and, for example, want to buy a book or plan to follow there seems to be conflicting advice. Can anyone recommend anything? Anyone done it on their own, and how did you formulate a plan?
Its going to be impossible to find a book that doesn't conflict with another book. There is really a pretty easy explanation. In terms of treating your PsA there is not a single thing NOT ONE that diet can do for it.
In terms of treating diet, INFLAMMATION is sometimes caused by what folks eat. If you stop eating them you may have a reduction in inflammation. PsA causes inflammation just as some foods do, thus the confusion.
If PsA were simply inflammation it would be a non disease. Inflammation is a symptom not the disease. Hitting your finger with a hammer cause inflammation. Bee stings cause inflammation. A cold cause inflammation, Broken bones cause inflammation. Sensitivities/allergiescause inflamation. PsA causes Inflammation. See where I'm going here???
Hammers, bees, colds, broken bones, things and foods, all cause inflammation. Avoid them and you avoid inflammation. Avoid PsA? Well we can't BUT we can treat it take your meds and have a start at treating it. Biologics and DMARDS change the body so it it doesn't cause as much inflammation. NSAIDS and Steroids reduce the actual inflammation (like an ice bag on swelling or bee sting.) PsA is a broken autoimmune system.
If you learn NOTHING else about PsA please learn that inflammation is a result of a PsA not PsA the result of inflammation. Eliminate every bit of inflammation in your body and you will still have PsA AND you can plan on many other problems from it. (Eyes Organs, Deterioration of joints, Diabetes etc.) if the DISEASE is not treated.
Hi, Softie. Many of us find that an anti-inflammatory diet helps with symptom control. Kind of like ice on a bee sting … but as Lamb says, you’ve still got the bee sting. Symptom control isn’t the same as disease control: the only therapy for which there is scientific evidence that it controls PsA is drug therapy. DMARDs can do it, but biologics do it better if the disease is aggressive.
How do you formulate a plan? You start with what books, articles and other people recommend, and you see what seems to help you and what doesn’t. We’re all different, but the most common foods to eliminate seem to be the nightshades, gluten, coffee, etc. So, trial and error. (Nym is our resident expert on this, but she’s off enjoying her weekend.) Myself, I feel my best on a low carbohydrate diet. Whether I eat tomatoes or not seems to make no difference to me.
Ditto with supplements. There are some supplements which many of us find helpful, such as Omega 3 FAs and Vitamin D. But you need to discuss your supplements with your docs and your pharmacist. I can’t stress this too much! Nor can I stress too much what Lamb says: Inflammation is the result of PsA, PsA isn’t the result of inflammation.
You must treat this disease by the most effective means possible: the risk of damage is too high.
Thanks guys for taking the time to explain so much. I do understand what you are saying tntlamb, and I don't think I was expecting to cure my psa by cutting out a few foods. I guess this is all new, a bit scary and I'm keen to start by informing myself and making good decisions. I am also quite sceptical and not one to jump in to fad diets and endless supplements (plus I like cooking and food waaay too much!). I'm also wary of tryign lots of things at once (including medications, pysio, OT etc) including diet and consequently not knowing what is doing what. There is an argument that if you feel better it doesn't metter but I ain't giving up chocolate if I don't need to ;-)
You're smart, avoiding trying lots of new things at once! And as for the "if you feel better, it doesn't matter" thing ... well, with this disease, it is possible to deny/suppress/ignore the symptoms and find yourself, suddenly, with damage that cannot be ignored. I have a high pain threshold, and I soldiered on (yes, with complaints, but not in screaming agony), and dealing with my symptoms, for years. I had lost my knees, the pain-free use of my feet and both hips before I was diagnosed and started on effective treatment. Please do not underestimate what you are dealing with here.