Welcoming clinical nutrition in Rheumatology – summary of first dietary recommendations for patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic conditions

Abstract

Nutrition has been identified as playing a significant role in inflammatory rheumatic conditions. Available recommendations for managing these diseases have recently included lifestyle changes as well as dietary advice as complementary to pharmacological treatments. This is a summary of the first dietary recommendations for patients suffering from rheumatic diseases, postulated by the French Society for Rheumatology. The work was performed by a group of multidisciplinary experts and it was based on a systematic literature review of available published data, also considering the quality of studies. The eight principles and nine recommendations issued target both joint and extra-articular effects of nutritional intervention. The recommendations state following a Mediterranean diet, supplementation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Restrictive-type diets like gluten-free, dairy-free, fasting or vitamins and trace elements supplementation are not recommended because of lack of scientifically proven benefit. The use of probiotics or spices have insufficient rationale to be recommended.