Dietary Recommendations for Managing Arthritis Symptoms
Introduction to Arthritis Management
- The American College of Rheumatology conditionally recommends the Mediterranean-style diet for patients with arthritis, as it has shown benefits in reducing pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, with a strength of evidence of low to moderate certainty 1, 2
Mediterranean Diet Components and Benefits
- A diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, with moderate amounts of low-fat dairy and fish, and limited intake of added sugars, sodium, highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats is recommended for arthritis patients, as it has demonstrated improvement in pain symptoms and potential benefits for long-term health outcomes including cardiovascular health 1, 2
- The Mediterranean diet has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce disease activity in arthritis patients 3
Other Dietary Considerations
- Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil and certain plant sources, may help reduce inflammation and joint pain in arthritis patients, while excessive intake of omega-6 oils may promote inflammation 4
- A whole food approach is recommended over relying on dietary supplements for arthritis management 1, 2
Specific Recommendations Against
- Other formally defined diets are conditionally not recommended due to insufficient evidence of benefit for arthritis symptoms 1
- Dietary supplements are conditionally not recommended as primary interventions for arthritis management, as evidence shows no consistent, clinically meaningful benefit for physical function, pain, or disease activity specific to rheumatoid arthritis 1, 2
Weight Management
- Maintaining a healthy body weight is unanimously supported for optimizing arthritis outcomes, as obesity is associated with higher disease activity, impaired physical function, and poorer treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis 2, 5