Eat Plants for Your Joints, with Dr. Carlijn Wagenaar

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On this episode, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Carlijn Wagenaar about the Plants for Joints research in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), exploring how a plant-centered lifestyle (not just diet) was tested and what changed in disease activity, inflammation, pain, and function.

Episode at a glance:

• Study design, plainly: who enrolled, program length, and how PFJ was evaluated for RA (disease activity & inflammatory markers) and OA (pain & function scores).
• What “plant-centered lifestyle” meant in real life: meals, movement minimums, sleep nudges, stress tools, and weekly support—not just a diet sheet.
• Why they taught cooking: inside the hands-on classes  and how skills improved adherence.
• Primary outcomes: what shifted in RA activity and labs, OA pain/function—and how quickly.
• The biology (in plain language) as to why plants help our joints
• Participant takeaways: less stiffness, easier mornings, better energy; the habits that made it stick.
• What’s next: how programs like PFJ could reshape everyday arthritis care.

Dr. Wagenaar is a physician and researcher in the Netherlands. Check out her and her team's recently launched  Plants for Health Website!

Disclaimer: This episode is for information only and not medical advice. Consult your clinician for personal care decisions.

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