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.

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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

In this episode, Dr. Diana Girnita and Dr. Vishnu Devala explore the complexities of autoimmune diseases, discussing their causes, symptoms, and the latest treatments. They delve into the role of gut health, environmental triggers, and the potential of AI in transforming diagnosis and treatment. The conversation also addresses common myths and misconceptions, offering insights into managing these conditions effectively.

Takeaways

• Autoimmune diseases can affect various body systems, not just joints.
• AI has potential but cannot replace rheumatologists.
• Gut health plays a significant role in autoimmune conditions.
• Vaccines do not increase the risk of autoimmune diseases.
• Lifestyle changes can significantly impact autoimmune disease management.
• CAR T cell therapy shows promise for autoimmune treatment.
• Genetic testing for autoimmune diseases is not recommended for everyone.
• Environmental triggers can influence autoimmune disease onset.
• Women are more prone to autoimmune diseases due to biological factors.
• Misinformation about autoimmune diseases is widespread and harmful.

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Introduction to Autoimmune Diseases
• 00:03:00 Role of AI in Medicine
• 00:06:00 Gut Health and Autoimmunity
• 00:09:00 Vaccines and Autoimmune Diseases
• 00:12:00 Lifestyle Changes and Management
• 00:15:00 New Treatments and CAR T Cell Therapy
• 00:18:00 Genetics and Autoimmune Diseases
• 00:21:00 Environmental Triggers
• 00:24:00 Women and Autoimmune Diseases
• 00:27:00 Combating Misinformation

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