Anti-inflammatory diet and rheumatoid arthritis: overview on the current evidence

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease, with symptoms that are characterized by inflammation of the joints and requires pharmacological treatment. However, pharmacological approach is not always enough to eliminate the symptoms related to rheumatoid arthritis, and nutritional intervention is necessary as a complementary treatment to obtain a significant improvement in symptoms. Several nutritional approaches have been studied to understand which diet would provide more benefits to patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and anti-inflammatory diet described as rich in nutrients with antioxidant effect, may contribute beneficially to the control of symptoms. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to review the literature existent on the effect that practice an anti-inflammatory diet may have on the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, in order to understand its applicability, benefits, as well as limitations. METHODOLOGY: The literature review was elaborated through a bibliographic search, in the PubMed database. The search term use was: “((inflammation AND diet*) OR anti-inflammatory diet) AND (arthritis rheumatoid OR rheumatoid arthritis))”. RESULTS: Current scientific evidence has shown positive effects of the anti-inflammatory diet in rheumatoid arthritis patients, such as reduction of disease activity, reduction of tender and swollen joints and joint pain and improved physical functioning. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-inflammatory diet is a promising complementary treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, with several benefits, namely the reduction of disease activity and symptoms, as well as, in the acquisition of a more balanced food pattern.