&
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, meaning
the body’s own immune system is attacking the synovial
lining of the joints. If that destructive process is triggered by
foods, eliminating the offending food(s) ought to help. Indeed,
several studies have found that vegan and lacto-vegetarian diets
help considerably, improving joint tenderness, swelling, and pain,
and also showing improvements on blood tests for inflammation.
Results vary: Some people are cured, some improve moderately,
and some get little or no benefit. Pain triggers also vary. Dairy
products seem to be an especially common trigger, but other
foods, including some plant-based foods such as wheat or nuts,
also aggravate symptoms for some people.
—Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, adjunct associate professor of medicine at
George Washington University School of Medicine and president of the Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine
CAN A PLANT-BASED DIET HELP WITH
ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS?
When it comes to trick-or-
treating, you can take the path
of least resistance and let kids have
what they want that day or night, and
then the rest goes away. This isn’t our
first choice, but many parents find it
to be the most workable solution for
candy-centric occasions that come
up a few times a year.
In our house, we use the “Switch
Witch” approach. Our kids go trick-
or-treating with their friends and can
pick two or three nondairy treats to
have that night. The rest of the candy
gets bundled up and left out for the
Switch Witch. The next morning,
they’ll find that the witch has replaced
their candy with a gift.
Whatever approach you take, we
urge you to create an atmosphere
that lets kids feel free to participate in
the camaraderie and festivity of these
special days. Present your adaptations
as part of the fun and children will see
them that way, too.
—Alona Pulde, MD, and Matthew Lederman,
MD, coauthors of The Forks Over Knives Plan
and Forks Over Knives Family
HELPING MY
KIDS RESIST THE
HALLOWEEN CANDY
CRUSH?
Q
Q
A
A
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