In this episode, Melissa Schenkman, MPH, MSJ, Founder of YMyHealth, and Dr. Diana Girnita discuss a real-life roadmap for people with chronic illnesses like Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They are also discussing Dr. Girnita's new book “Thriving with Rheumatoid Arthritis” and the science behind lifestyle medicine: how the gut microbiome communicates with your immune system, why fiber and short-chain fatty acids matter, and how sugar, salt, and even certain vegetables can influence inflammation in sensitive people. We also cover conditions that can mimic Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), like celiac disease, and why “Dr. Google” can increase fear instead of clarity.

If you want practical, evidence-based steps—without the overwhelm—this conversation will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and hopeful.

Key points discussed in the episode

• Why Dr. Girnita wrote “Thriving with Rheumatoid Arthritis” after ~20 years in practice: moving from purely textbook science to patient-centered insights, patterns, and real-world outcomes
• The core message: thriving vs. surviving: RA is a chronic condition, but it doesn’t have to define your life or identity
• Patients are different: response to treatment and lifestyle changes varies widely—personalization matters
• Gut microbiome + immune system connection: the gut contains trillions of bacteria; a large portion of the immune system sits near the gut lining, so gut signals can drive systemic inflammation
• Fiber as an anti-inflammatory tool: fiber supports beneficial gut bacteria and leads to the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that help “calm” immune overreactivity
• What SCFAs do (in plain language): they act like immune messengers that reduce overactivation and may lower systemic inflammation
• Sugar and inflammation: excess added sugar can increase pro-inflammatory pathways and may shift gut bacteria toward patterns associated with more inflammation
• Salt and immune activation: high salt intake may push immune cells toward a more pro-inflammatory state; practical advice includes removing the salt shaker and using spices (garlic, turmeric, rosemary, thyme) instead
• Nightshade vegetables: in some people (not everyone), foods like tomatoes/eggplant/peppers may worsen symptoms
• Celiac disease can mimic RA: joint pain and small-joint symptoms can resemble RA
• Viruses as potential triggers: EBV (mono) and COVID were discussed as possible immune triggers in genetically predisposed people
• The “Dr. Google” warning: online information can mislead, catastrophize, and amplify fear—use curated, reputable medical sources and avoid absorbing others’ worst-case experiences as your future.
• Bigger takeaway: genetics load the gun, but lifestyle pulls (or doesn’

Support the show

More info about Dr. Diana Girnita, MD PhD

• Website: https://rheumatologistoncall.com/
• Email: Contact@rheumatologistoncall.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rheumatologistoncall
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-girnita-md-phd-07b57810/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheumatologistoncall/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RheumatologistOncall/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3685130571554200

What if rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t just cause joint pain—but quietly speeds up how fast your entire body ages? In this episode of Thriving with Arthritis, Dr. Diana Girnita sits down with Dr. Neha Bhanusali, from the University of Central Florida, with additional training in lifestyle medicine and culinary medicine, to explore the powerful and often overlooked connection between chronic inflammation, biological aging, and rheumatoid arthritis. In this conversation, we move beyond trends and misinformation to focus on what actually matters for patients living with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases.

Key Chapters & Takeaways

• RA and accelerated aging (“inflammaging”): chronic inflammation can accelerate biological aging—even in relatively young patients.
• Chronological age vs biological age: Why many RA patients feel older than their peers
• Why labs don’t always match symptoms
• The truth about methylation tests and anti-aging supplements
• Medications plus lifestyle—not one or the other
• Movement when you’re in pain
• Why muscle matters in RA
• Nutrition without perfection
• Gut health, fiber, and fermented foods
• Supplements: what’s reasonable and what’s risky
• Weight, inflammation, and GLP-1 medications
• Menopause and autoimmune disease
• Chronic stress, sleep, and immune aging
• The top 3 lifestyle pillars for RA and healthy aging

Neha Bhanusali is a board-certified rheumatologist with advanced training in lifestyle and culinary medicine. She also shares practical, plant-forward education on her YouTube channel @PlantForwardMD.

https://www.youtube.com/@PlantForwardMD

If you want evidence-based guidance that helps you live better—not just treat labs, subscribe to Thriving with Arthritis.

Support the show

More info about Dr. Diana Girnita, MD PhD

• Website: https://rheumatologistoncall.com/
• Email: Contact@rheumatologistoncall.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rheumatologistoncall
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-girnita-md-phd-07b57810/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheumatologistoncall/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RheumatologistOncall/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3685130571554200

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is the most commonly misdiagnosed form of inflammatory arthritis—and it's costing patients years of their lives. In this episode of Thriving with Arthritis, Dr. Diana Girnita and Dr. Vishnuteja Devalla explain why psoriatic arthritis symptoms are often mistaken for fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and other conditions, leading to diagnostic delays.

Discover the red flags doctors miss, the latest biologic treatments revolutionizing Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) care, and the groundbreaking connection between GLP-1 medications (like Tirzepatide, Zepbound, Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy) and reduced inflammation in autoimmune disease.

Could these diabetes and weight-loss drugs be a game-changer for patients with inflammatory arthritis?

What You'll Learn:

• Why does psoriatic arthritis take an average of 5-7 years to diagnose correctly
• The subtle signs, symptoms, and the connection with other parts of the body like eyes, tendons, and the gut
• How insurance companied dictate care in choosing your treatment
• Cutting-edge biologic therapies
• The emerging science behind GLP-1 receptor agonists and systemic inflammation reduction
• Why traditional healthcare models fail chronic disease patients—and what we're doing differently

Keywords: psoriatic arthritis diagnosis, PsA symptoms, GLP-1 inflammation, GLP-1 autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis vs psoriatic arthritis, biologic treatment psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory arthritis misdiagnosis, telehealth rheumatology, chronic inflammation treatment.

Support the show

More info about Dr. Diana Girnita, MD PhD

• Website: https://rheumatologistoncall.com/
• Email: Contact@rheumatologistoncall.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rheumatologistoncall
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-girnita-md-phd-07b57810/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheumatologistoncall/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RheumatologistOncall/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3685130571554200