Does Diet Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Does diet affect rheumatoid arthritis? Dr. Michael Greger, who narrates the above video, says “YES.” A plant-based diet is where it’s at whether you’re trying to clear up a chronic disease, or just prevent one. If you’d like to see more of Dr. Greger’s videos, go to nutritionfacts.org, where you’ll find a fantastic array of nutrition information based on the latest research.

Honestly, it’s not fun for me to have to tell you to give up your Greek yogurt, your skinless chicken breast, and your provolone. People resist. They say, “I need my protein. I need my calcium. If this was so good, my medical doctor would have told me about it.” Well, let’s face facts. Your M.D. doesn’t have time to sit with you and explain everything.* It’s easier to write a prescription than to get someone to give up Kentucky Fried Chicken. Your medical doctor took fewer nutrition classes in college than a chiropractor, has a lot of other fish to fry (not sure if pun intended), and may not be on top of the latest research. Besides, if you got well after cutting out animal proteins, as Dr. Greger reports in the video above, then you wouldn’t need to see the medical doctor, and you might want to quit your prescription and over-the-counter drugs. And that’s not good for the economy or for Colonel Sanders!

Who says the Colonel doesn't care about our health?

What if you’re not sure you are up to the challenge of going vegan? What I tell my patients is this: just try it for 12 days. Don’t ease into it, just do it right for 12 days. It’s not an eternity. Here is the link to John McDougall, M.D.’s website, where he gives you a free 12 day eating plan. If you don’t feel remarkably better within the first week, I’ll eat my hat and buy you a bacon cheeseburger.

*John McDougall, M.D. is a notable exception; to be his patient, you must first spend ten days with him at his clinic in Santa Rosa, California.