I don't seem to have a problem with gluten but I try to "eat clean" since I had a sleeve gastrectomy. Can't say I've seen changes in my RA but I do feel better in general. Eating clean equals stopping white sugar and flour, preservatives, fast foods, snacky stuff, etc.
I know there is a lot of debate on this subject, so all I can share is my personal experience. After doing some research, and speaking with my aunt who also has RA, I decided to stop eating gluten. At first I wasn't how much of a difference if any it was making. I was going through my first major flare and I wasn't sure of anything at that point. One day I decided to cheat and eat something that contains gluten. The next morning I woke up with sausage fingers, and swelling in numerous other joints that had not been there the day before. The swelling went down after a few days. A couple of months later, I decided to cheat again. The same thing happened, I woke up the next day with much more swelling than I had the day before. I have decided that for myself it definitely makes a difference. It is a huge pain to eat gluten free, but once you get used to it, it's not too hard. I eat mainly meat, poultry, and fruit and vegetables (organic, grass fed, gmo free, etc. as much as possible) But just like with everything else in regards to RA, everyone is different. I wish you the best with whatever you do.
I try not to put my two cents in on that topic very often.
However of course a healthy diet and exercise(if you can) will improve over all health.
But unless you have a legit allergy to something like gluten (celiacs) there is not proof of it helping and some of the crazy solutions I hear can do you harm.
I'm really big on being a partner with my doctor as far as my health, so I would check with them to see what they recommend.
Diet is the key in controlling RA flares. Gluten free, organic, grass fed meat, no processed foods, no dairy...
Hard to imagine all the foods we once enjoyed are now the trigger of inflammation. I became a vegan and ohhhhh yeah, every time I cheat I get flare ups.
I have done all that and it has not made a difference