Plant-Based Diets Improve Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
The Plants for Joints randomized control trial found that individuals who followed a 16-week lifestyle program based on a whole food, plant-based diet, physical activity, and stress management were found to have improved symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, compared to those in the control group. The intervention group also had greater weight loss and greater improvements in cholesterol.1 Previously, a low-fat vegan diet has been shown to reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and markers of inflammation.2,3
References
1. Walrabenstein W, Wagenaar CA, van der Leeden M, et al. A multidisciplinary lifestyle program for rheumatoid arthritis: the “Plants for Joints” randomized controlled trial. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023;00:1–9. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/
2. McDougall J, Bruce B, Spiller G, Westerdahl J, McDougall M. Effects of a very low-fat, vegan diet in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis. J Altern Complement Med. 2002;8(1):71-75. doi:10.1089/107555302753507195
3. Barnard N, Levin S, Crosby L, Flores R, Holubkov R, Kahleova H. A randomized, crossover trial of a nutritional intervention for rheumatoid arthritis. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2022;0(0). doi:10.1177/15598276221081819
Plant-Based Diets That Follow National Recommendations Reduce Inflammation
Diets that followed the Dietary Guidelines for Americans with a plant-based emphasis lowered inflammation more than following the guidelines alone, according to findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Replacing animal-based foods with vegetables, fruits, nuts, and legumes significantly reduced inflammation. The authors suggest improving the Dietary Guidelines to focus more on plant-based diet quality, encouraging anti-inflammatory foods, and reducing pro-inflammatory foods.
References
Wang YB, Page AJ, Gill TK, et al. The association between diet quality, plant-based diets, systemic inflammation, and mortality risk: findings from NHANES. Eur J Nutr. 2023. doi:10.1007/s00394-023-03191-z