2023-06-29 03:30:39
Is there a diet that counteracts inflammatory rheumatic diseases? Rheumatism experts have analyzed numerous studies and put together a recommendation. One diet was particularly convincing.
Lots of fruit, vegetables and legumes, rather little fish and poultry, and even less red meat – these are the most important characteristics of the so-called Mediterranean diet (ME). Typical of this diet is also the frequent consumption of nuts and whole grains and the extensive avoidance of animal fats such as butter and white sugar or glucose-fructose syrup. “With slight variations, these principles apply in all Mediterranean countries,” says rheumatologist Prof. Gernot Keysser.
Good for the feeling
The course of inflammatory rheumatic diseases seems to be positively influenced by ME. However, scientific publications on this only refer to a few types of diseases: The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) improved slightly, and patients with psoriasis, spondyloarthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) also benefited slightly from ME. “The effects aren’t big,” Keysser admits. However, they not only affect objectively measurable parameters, but also the subjective condition of the patients. “We would therefore like to recommend ME to all those affected by rheumatism as an accompanying measure to basic antirheumatic therapy,” says Keysser. All the more so since patients also benefit from the well-known reduction in cardiovascular and diabetes risks.
The effects of ME are mainly attributed to avoiding animal fats, which contain pro-inflammatory compounds such as arachidonic acid and saturated fat, and increasing the intake of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids from vegetable oils, fish, nuts, and seaweed.
outdated insights
“So-called anti-inflammatory diets also follow this pattern,” explains Keysser. The commission also reviewed the available evidence for such diets, as well as for fasting cures or a ketogenic diet. According to the experts, the number of clinical, controlled and randomized studies in this area is still manageable. In addition, their informative value is often limited by a short observation period or a small number of participants. A large part of the studies also originates from the years before the introduction of the highly effective biological drugs in rheumatism therapy, so that a possible nutritional effect can only be estimated with difficulty today.
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The commission’s recommendations are therefore still mainly based on positive experiences that are made in the clinic with therapeutic fasting, for example, or on favorable effects that have been observed in studies on other diseases. Nevertheless: “Not every nutritional intervention is equally suitable for every patient,” says Prof. Christof Specker, President of the DGRh. For example, you should not fast during an acute rheumatic attack or if you are underweight. It is also particularly important for the experts to point out that ultimately only supporting effects can be achieved through nutrition. “It is by no means a substitute for drug therapy.”
This text is based on a press release from the German Society for Rheumatology (DGRh). You can find detailed recommendations here.
Image: Adam Bartoszewicz, unsplash.
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