DESCRIPTION

Joel Fuhrman, MD
Research Director, Nutritional Research Project
National Health Association
Private Practice
Flemington, New Jersey

Author of: Super Immunity (Harper Collins, 2011)


RA is a life-long disease that causes inflammation, mostly in the joints and surrounding tissues. The swelling, redness, and pain caused by inflammation can damage the joints, and other organs are sometimes affected. The cause is unknown, but infections and hormone changes may have a connection to RA, which sometimes runs in families. Diseases like RA are called autoimmune diseases. In these diseases, the immune system attacks healthy tissues. Dr. Fuhrman explains how this happens with particular attention to the digestive tract. Treatment for RA focuses on controlling symptoms and preventing joint damage. Strengthening the immune system with improved nutrition, as Dr. Fuhrman explains here, can help people with RA. Living successfully with a chronic disease like RA means doing everything you can to participate in your health and manage your symptoms.