Diets and arthritis

Press, 28 March 1981, Page 17

Diets and arthritis

Diet for Life: A Cookbook for Arthritics. By Mary Laver and Margaret Smith. Pan, 1981. 228 pp. Illustrations. $5.95 (paperback). (Reviewed by Julian Kirk) Several books' are available which describe various methods of dietary manipulation as treatment for sufferers of rheumatoid and other forms of arthritis. The general view of the orthodox medical profession is that, apart from the need for adequate nourishment, specific diets do not have a part to play in arthritis with the exception of gout and the need to avoid obesity because of joint strain and threat to mobility. In particular, there is no evidence available that an individual diet alters the course of rheumatoid arthritis. It is a condition which waxes and wanes and very often goes into natural remission. If a new treatment or diet is commenced at that phase, it is likely to receive credit and come into vogue as a cure. This is not harmful in the individual, but it may be when it raises the hopes and expectations of other patients, only to have them disappointed later. This booklet is written by a young woman who developed rheumatoid arthritis and embraced a diet found in a cookery book by a Dr Dong, a medical doctor from 'San Francisco. When established on the diet her arthritis went

into remission and she resumed normal activities. The co-author is an experienced home economist who also believes in the diet and found that it relieved pain in her mother who suffers from osteoarthritis. The booklet begins with chapters on the principles of the diet, food additives, basic nutrition, herbs and flavouring, and practical advice on how to use the diet. The second part consists of almost 200 recipes grouped under the four seasons. The diet basically encourages the use of all vegetables, bread, flour, rice, egg whites, margarine, fish and sea foods, and excludes meat in any form except for chicken breast, and also excludes fruit as well as tomatoes, dairy produce, pepper, alcoholic beverages and almost all food additives. The book is pleasantly laid out and. interesting to read, and the .recipes look generally simple and appealing. Historically this type of book appeals to a wide section of the public, particularly those who have arthritis or rheumatism,! or who are interested in these topics? However, as it is presented as a primary treatment for rheumatoid and other forms of arthritis, it cannot be recommended.! The evidence that such a diet for arthritisactually works is anecdotal at best, and’ the popularising of such specific diets for; arthritis may divert rheumatic sufferers' away from effective orthodox medical treatment. • j