It is well-recognized that a healthy diet is important for everyone. Arthritis patients, however, sometimes look beyond this notion of healthy eating and look to diet for a cure. The link between diet and arthritis is complex.

There is evidence that diet can influence some types of arthritis, but to fully understand this, the type of arthritis and the kind of diet must be considered. One example is gout, which is affected by high uric acid levels. A diet which is low in alcohol and purine-rich foods can lower blood uric acid
levels and lessen the likelihood of a gout attack. Purines are natural substances found in certain foods.

Dietary approach to RA and autoimmune diseases involves identifying specific food allergens and eliminating them from the diet. While some individuals experience marked improvement from eating a low-allergen diet, research suggests that food allergy is an important factor in only a minority of people with RA. The value of combining the low-allergen and anti-inflammatory diets along with supplemental fish oil has yet to be determined.

Alcohol is known to alter purine metabolism. Dietary changes may decrease the severity or frequency of gout attacks. Dietary modifications may also be preferred by people who cannot tolerate gout medications.An anti-inflammatory diet and fish oil supplements are both helpful for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). the cumulative effect of altering the fats stored in the body through both dietary changes and dietary supplements.