Laboratory tests were unable to pick up food allergies that may have caused, or exacerbated, rheumatoid arthritis.
Dietary changes seemed to relieve symptoms in some of the patients, which adds weight to the theory that some of the antigens that result from rheumatoid arthritis may originate from bacteria rather than food.
A vegetarian diet may seem to help because it changes the bacterial flora. If this is so, testing for food allergies would not be relevant in these cases (Clin Exp Rheumatol, 1995; 13: 167-172).
For more information about arthritis, see WDDTY vol 2, no 12, and vol 5, no 5.