Smoking Cessation May Drive Rheumatoid Arthritis Away, Experts Suggest

(Newswire.net — April 13, 2022) Orlando, FL — More and more studies are highlighting the positive effects of healthy dietary and lifestyle modifications among those with rheumatoid arthritis. 

Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital carried out a study.

In this research, the scientists leveraged data from the Nurses’ Health Studies in determining whether smoking cessation has the ability to delay or prevent rheumatoid arthritis. They also aimed at finding out if the disease risk can be irrevocably and permanently altered. 

It has been found that behavioral changes like smoking cessation reduce the risk of seropositive RA, the more severe form of the disease.

The findings of this interesting research were published in Arthritis Care & Research.

“Ours is the first study to show that a behavior change can reduce the risk for seropositive RA. Risk isn’t just about genes and bad luck — there’s a modifiable environmental component to the onset of this disease and a chance for some people to reduce their risk or even prevent RA,” said corresponding author Jeffrey Sparks, MD, MMSc.’

Sparks is from the Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy at the Brigham.

Sparks and the research team used information from the original Nurses’ Health Study, established in 1976, and Nurses’ Health Study II, which is a second cohort established in 1989. 

Every participant was a registered nurse from across the United States. In this study, they were asked to fill out health surveys every two years with questions, which included smoking and health status information.

Five years after women quit smoking, those with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis experience a risk reduction. Further, the decrease lingered in non-smokers. 

“One of the lessons here is that it takes sustained smoking cessation to reap the full benefit,” said Sparks.

There is no question that smoking is detrimental to health, especially among those with rheumatoid arthritis. Various research studies suggest that aside from smoking, it is vital to take other measures such as making dietary and lifestyle improvements. 

There are many remedies scientifically found beneficial in battling the condition. There are even certain nutrients like B vitamins experts strongly recommend for those who want to naturally combat pain and inflammation.

It is worth keeping in mind that B vitamins are also useful for various medicinal purposes. This is why today, more and more experts strongly recommend having adequate levels of these nutrients in the body. 

Aside from consuming certain foods, there are also extra-strength formulas like Divine Bounty B Vitamin Complex available.

It contains Choline, Pantothenic acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamin, and vitamin B6 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07414752B).