Greek Diet? | Arthritis Information

 

I keep coming across the articles about the benefits of Greek or Mediterranean diet. So I became curious about RA in Greece. And this is what I found out! They do have it- no doubt! But it is different than Northern European RA. Quote: "We found that Greek patients had less inflammatory articular disease, fewer extra-articular manifestations, less radiological joint destruction, and a high frequency of Ro(SSA) antibodies linked to a higher prevalence of secondary SS." The scientists compared The Greeks and British RA patients. I think it is interesting!I thought the Brittish peeps had more AS than RA?

Except you are not taking into account genes which would apply to Greeks and British people. Saying that I follow the diet but I haven't noticed any miracle reduced inflammation.

[QUOTE=Pip!]I thought the Brittish peeps had more AS than RA? I think he sent me something once that's in my 'to be read' email.  At least I think it was him.  Not familiar with the person unless I know their real name - or at least the names they use on various boards. So does the Greek diet include lots of Baklavah?  That wouldn't be too bad!I don't know - on one hand we are critical of non-double-blind "false positive" scientific studies on drugs, yet on the other hand we tend to contribute improvements in inflammatory diseases to positive lifestyle changes, including eating healthier, which would be considered extremely non-scientific and certainly anecdotal by the research community.

Joe
[QUOTE=Joe M]I don't know - on one hand we are critical of non-double-blind "false positive" scientific studies on drugs, yet on the other hand we tend to contribute improvements in inflammatory diseases to positive lifestyle changes, including eating healthier, which would be considered extremely non-scientific and certainly anecdotal by the research community.

Joe
[/QUOTE]

I thought all doctors recommend eating healthy?  An apple a day, as the saying goes.   I definitely differentiate between things that can be done without an rx and things that require, oh six hour infusions, when it comes to what I expect from research.  Your doctor needs to know what you are up to, but I've never seen a post that said someone was told to stop eating healthier!  People who do not have chronic disease feel better when they eat better, so why would it be any different for those who do?

I am remembering a time when I was on the Atkins diet... and how incredibly "well" I felt.

(hmmmmmm)

 

 

Right on babs.  Everyone should eat a healthy diet.  Everyone feels better when they do.  No argument there.   Oops I meant to reply to Suzanne... I've been using the Medit. theory of eating for about a year and all I can say is - I feel great.  I've also gone into clinical remission this year.  I'm losing weight slowly.  I love the Medit. way of eating, love the foods, and I enjoy preparing the food.   I've been a cheerleader for this style of eating for awhile.  You can't argue with feeling good.  LindyI love the diet though I won't claim it did anything to help me.

The big thing now is to avoid fake olive oil, so some people recommend avoiding Italian Olive Oil, as it might contain canola or even corn oil.

http://www.chow.com/grinder/tag/fake+olive+oil
So happy to hear about your remission!  Even though double blind studies have failed to show a connection between RA and diet, I've always thought it was worth a try.  It's relatively free, does no harm, and in your case has benefits like weight loss.  Congrats! Hi Joe, I don't want you to think I achieved clinical remission because of my diet, it wasn't my diet.  I'm on Humira and MXT and that's how I achieved remission.  Lindy [QUOTE=pepper28]I keep coming across the articles about the benefits of Greek or Mediterranean diet. So I became curious about RA in Greece. And this is what I found out! They do have it- no doubt! But it is different than Northern European RA. Quote: "We found that Greek patients had less inflammatory articular disease, fewer extra-articular manifestations, less radiological joint destruction, and a high frequency of Ro(SSA) antibodies linked to a higher prevalence of secondary SS." The scientists compared The Greeks and British RA patients. I think it is interesting![/QUOTE]

I prefer the GEEK diet:  Coca-cola, pizza, doughnuts, take-out Chinese... I have to say, the only really healthy looking Greeks I can think of were made of marble!  I am more familiar with the somewhat round Greek that owns our local pizza parlor, and the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"!  I always thought Greece would be somewhere I might fit in, but I guess not!  They've gone healthy on me! [QUOTE=Hillhoney]I have to say, the only really healthy looking Greeks I can think of were made of marble!  I am more familiar with the somewhat round Greek that owns our local pizza parlor, and the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"!  I always thought Greece would be somewhere I might fit in, but I guess not!  They've gone healthy on me![/QUOTE]

We've got a bunch of hot Greeks in town (and some not-so-hot!).  All the ones I know are in the restaurant business.  Unfortunately when they get older they look like they've been in the restaurant business all their lives!!!
I'd rather the Geek diet - cold pizza & warm Coke.

Sorry.  Must be time for my meds.
[QUOTE=Hillhoney]I have to say, the only really healthy looking Greeks I can think of were made of marble![/QUOTE]