There are three things you need to know about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially if you’re a woman. First, 75 percent—that’s three out of every four people diagnosed with RA—are female. Second, 1 to 3 percent of all women will be diagnosed with RA during their lifetime. And third, although the direct causes of the disease are unknown, there are known risk factors. Risk factors mean that RA may have some genetic tendencies, but environmental factors, particularly diet, can play a major role as well. And, in most cases, RA can gradually disappear when a person’s healing environment and diet are optimized. What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, pain, and damage to the joints, most commonly involving the wrists and fingers. RA is considered a type of inflammatory arthritis, in contrast to other types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, which is a more common …