Causes or Cures Eat Plants for Your Joints? With Dr. Carlijn Wagenaar
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.
Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match.
You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.
Follow Eeks on Instagram here.
Or Facebook here.
Or X.
On Youtube.
Or TikTok.
SUBSCRIBE to her WEEKLY newsletter here! (Now featuring interviews with top experts on health you care about!)