Arthritis sufferer, 51, becomes a champion BODYBUILDER after adopting a completely gluten-free diet

A man who suffered from crippling arthritis pain adopted a gluten-free diet in a bid to cure himself - and became a bodybuilding champion in the process.

Andy Cowling, 51, claims a simple change to his diet completely rid him of what doctors suspected was rheumatoid arthritis.

He adopted a gluten-free diet which he claims allayed the symptoms of the illness such as chronic joint pain in his knees and elbows.

But he then pushed his body even further to claim first prize in a regional natural bodybuilding competition for over 50s.

'With the diet change came a physical change - it just totally changed my life,' he said.

'It's not really a bodybuilder diet - it's more of a caveman diet with no processed foods.'

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory condition characterised by inflammation in the joints of the fingers, toes, wrists or other joints of the body. 

The affected joints become swollen and stiff and may become deformed in the long term. 

The disease usually comes in waves, with painful periods being interspersed with times where sufferers are relatively symptom-free. 

It is an autoimmune disease which means the immune system mounts an immune response against the body's own tissues causing inflammation and diseased tissue. 

While the cause is not known for sure, there is some evidence that it can be triggered by food.

Mr Cowling, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, believes cutting out carbohydrates eased his symptoms and he was able to transform his physique to one ideal for bodybuilding.

He also says it helped his general health and wellbeing.

'I lived a very different lifestyle suffering with allergies such as hay fever, mild asthma, a couple of bouts of cold or bronchitis a year and a few joint problems such as painful knees and elbows,' he said.

'I first put that down to getting older like so many other people - but now all those symptoms have now completely gone.'

Mr Cowling started training hard in the gym and was encouraged by friends to take part in contests.

He entered the Natural Physique Association Yorkshire Championships in Wakefield and took first place in the over-50 category last month.

'I was 'umming' and 'ahhing' about it right up until the day of the competition.

'There were bigger guys than me - but I thought I had a good chance.' 

The win has spurred him on to pursue his dream of becoming a fitness trainer himself.

He now wants to share his story to inspire other men of his age to get into shape, and consider alternative diets and lifestyles.

Studies have suggested people with RA may benefit from eating plenty foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as oily fish like mackerel and salmon as they have been found to control the symptoms. 

'There's no reason others can't do it, especially people who have been diagnosed with certain illnesses,' he said. 

While Mr Cowling advises people should always follow advice from their GP, he added: 'There must be a lot of people who were in similar situations to mine. 

'I think people should do some investigation themselves.' 

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