Health: Exercise and Diet's role in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Today I attended the WARN (Welsh Arthritis Research Network) conference in Cardiff taking part in discussions based on the research for the treatment of Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis - with the role of food and exercise as a vital part of clinical care.
Here's a summary:
Nutrition - undervalued and seen as an area that is underfunded when it comes to it's relationship with RA mainly because the pharmaceuticals are unlikely to make much money from this - there is very little understanding of the relationship between gut inflammation, small intestine bacterial over growth (SIBO) and the high instances with RA sufferers. Something I will be looking to present on next year to encourage investigations in this area. There were a few strategies we considered that could collate some meaningful data which may be added to a smartphone app which is under construction by one of the research teams.
Exercise - significant and conclusive research in relation to the success of high intensity progressive resistance activity in improving QOL indicators, reduced pain, reduced fat mass, improved muscle mass, reduction in Type II diabetes, mitigation of metabolic syndrome, reduced rates of fractures and improved physical function for sufferers of RA. The world leading research in this area was very interesting. The biggest challenge is encouraging exercise independence, motivation and compliance. This is where PRIMALity and the right playful approach could help, discussions already taking place to take this further (I gave an impromptu demonstration which got people interested in the concept).
Another interesting angle was what I term the wide angle lens vs the macro lens view of health investigations and solutions. Succinctly put as 'molecule to man' but probably should be expanded to include 'to society' perhaps?
I will keep you posted on developments, but overall a very productive day!