According to a National Institutes of Health clinical trial, most patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) do not have high enough intake of potassium in their diet. Deficiencies in potassium reduces cortisol, a hormone that is involved in immune function and inflammatory response and can result in many RA symptoms.
Potassium is an electrolyte that plays a role in muscle contraction and nerve transmission. It is also involved in the storage of carbohydrates for muscles. The relationship between Potassium and sodium and choride is important in maintaining the body’s ph balance. Many expert have recommended that the ratio between potassium and sodium should be 5 times more potassium than sodium.
How can you increase you intake of potassium? Well the best way to increase your potassium intake is in your diet. Food rich in potassium include, sweet potato, banana, potato, plums, prunes, orange juice and oranges, tomatoes, cantaloupe, peaches, spinach, almonds, and molasses. Cooked foods can loose significant levels of potassium, so when possible choose raw fruits and vegtables. You can get potassium in a multi-vitamin suppliment as well, however the preferred method is in your diet.
Good Information. Thanks for sharing this!
How is everyone feeling these days?
Hi Lana,
Thanks, I am improving daily from the lyme, but 9 weeks off the mtx is taking its toll. Hopefully things will start to get back to normal soon. It’s been a tough summer, but it is only a temporary thing.
This is interesting research and another interesting point for helping manage the condition. The unfortunate bit is that the best way for determining whether patients have enough potassium was not mentioned. From quick searches it appears as if blood tests are required to do this so a person would have to work with a rheumatologist who is willing to request and examine the results of more frequent blood tests until a person could determine whether their modified diet had sufficient potassium and a good potassium to sodium ratio.
With the frequency that my wife gets to see her rheumatologist, this may require some education and convincing of the rheumatologist to make happen.