Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Diets: The New Treatment Modalities for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Autoimmune responses need to be identified and managed promptly to avoid deleterious consequences. Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are debilitating and can lead to a compromised quality of life for patients. Autoimmune disease severity is directly related to sex (females are more prone to the diseases), as well as age, the environment, and genetic factors. Though many of these triggers cannot be avoided, disease onset and progression can be delayed, managed, and to some extent avoided altogether by dietary interventions. Certain food and dietary components have been observed to have anti-inflammatory properties and can thus be included in a patient’s diet to reduce disease symptoms. This review will assess dietary components with regard to RA, including those that are frequently observed to be different in patients with RA in comparison to healthy individuals. The authors conclude that assessment of the nutritional status of a patient, including the deficiency of vitamins or other nutrients and energy requirements, should be recorded and a dietary regimen should be designed accordingly for a better therapeutic response.