Abstract

PINHEIRO, Joana. Nutritional Approach of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Acta Port Nutr [online]. 2015, n.3, pp.26-30. ISSN 2183-5985.  https://doi.org/10.21011/apn.2015.0305.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by extensive synovitis resulting in erosion of articular cartilage and marginal bone that lead to joint destruction. It’s common to patients with rheumatoid arthritis to have poor nutritional status. Furthermore, some of the drugs used in its treatment can increase the requirements of some nutrients in some cases or reduce their absorption in other cases. The objective of this paper is to review the scientific information of the importance of dietary patterns and the main nutrients recommended as complement for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the reduction of symptomatology, the progression of the disease and the side effects associated to the drugs recommended. Although there is some evidence of the nutrition utility as complement of rheumatoid arthritis therapy, more studies are needed to determine the best nutritional needs in this disease, as well as to prove the benefits of nutritional supplements use.

Keywords : n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; Dietary patterns; Antioxidants; Rheumatoid arthritis; Probiotics.

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