All animal products, especially meat, sausage, and fish, contain plenty of arachidonic acid. Prostaglandins and leukotriens belong to the metabolits of arachidonic acid. An increase in prostaglandin E can be detected in the synovial fluid of rheumatics. It also contributes to the development of cartilage erosion. (7)
The more arachidonic acid is ingested in the diet, the more inflammatory substances can be produced. There are several publications on the anti-inflammatory and analgetic effect of a vegetarian diet on rheumatics. (8, 9)
A vegan diet is evidently particularly effective here since no arachidonic acid is ingested.
- Lek 2001 Nov; 11(65): 438-43
- Muller H et al: Fasting followed by vegetarian diet in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review; Scand J Rheumatol 2001; 30(1): 1-10
- Huber R et al: Clinical remission of an HLA B27-positive sacroiliitis on vegan diet; Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2001 Aug; 8(4): 228-31