Dietary Patterns and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease that impairs patients' capacity to engage in everyday activities and deteriorates their quality of life. The disease develops in genetically vulnerable individuals via an autoimmune inflammatory process triggered by environmental stimuli. Diet and nutrition are potential environmental variables influencing the start and progression of the disease. Traditionally, nutrition and disease research has examined the relationships between individual nutrients, foods, or dietary groupings and risk factors with health outcomes. By examining food consumption in terms of dietary patterns, it is possible to gain complete knowledge of the combined effects of nutrients and foods on chronic illnesses. The Mediterranean, DASH, and vegetarian diets are preventive dietary patterns, whereas the Western diet stimulates RA activity.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Dietary pattern, Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, Vegetarian diet, Western diet, Inflammation, Disease activity, Joints, Nutrients.