Practically all diseases start from poor nutrition, social/financial stress and toxic environments. These factors make genetic tendencies more likely to manifest themselves (Epigenetics). Toxic air has been shown to compromise our immune system, leading to diseases like Arthritis. Not much we can do about air pollution, other than becoming politically active and getting an air filter. But there is a lot we can do with the first two factors, nutrition and social/financial stress.
References
Risk for systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases higher in areas with air pollution, Healio Minute, August 25, 2022
“Exposure to fine particulate matter — specifically particles 2.5 µm or less in diameter, or PM2.5 — in the air signals a higher risk for systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, according to data published in J. Arthritis Research & Therapy. ‘Air pollution may stimulate the immune system directly or indirectly, and increasing evidence suggests that this could be a trigger for systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease — that is, it could possibly one of the ‘missing links’ explaining why some people develop these serious, disabling autoimmune conditions,’ Sasha Bernatsky, MD, PhD, of the division of clinical epidemiology at McGill University, in Montreal, told Healio. ‘To date, no studies of air pollution and the incidence of SARDs have been published. We aimed to fill that knowledge gap.’”
Are we really what we eat? Nutrition and its role in the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, J. Autoimmunity Reviews 2018;17:1074
“Accumulating research evidence suggests that individual dietary factors and dietary patterns might be implicated in the risk of development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This narrative review aims to present this evidence and provide nutritional recommendations for reducing RA risk in susceptible individuals. Overall, a ‘Western’ type diet rich in energy intake, total and saturated fat, an unbalanced ratio of n-3 to n-6 fatty acids, high in refined carbohydrates and sugar and low in fiber and antioxidants might increase the risk of RA both directly through increasing inflammation and indirectly through increasing insulin resistance and obesity, with the latter being a known risk factor for RA. On the contrary, consumption of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, derived from fish and fish oil, is associated with a reduced risk of RA probably due to their anti-inflammatory properties. The Mediterranean diet (MD), rich in plant-based foods such as wholegrains, legumes, fruit, vegetables, extra-virgin olive oil and low in red meat consumption, might have the potential to reduce the risk of RA. Based on current research evidence, it is suggested that adherence to the MD enhanced with an increased consumption of fatty fish, reduced consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and maintenance of a normal body weight, contributes to reducing the risk of RA. Further research on RA susceptibility will allow for more specific dietary recommendations to be made.”
