Benefits from a plant-based diet, intermittent fasting and aspects of ayurvedic nutrition in rheumatoid arthritis – A case report

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common rheumatologic diseases worldwide causing high morbidity and mortality as well as a high socioeconomic burden. Current medications offer several therapeutic options. Additionally, increasing evidence endorses the beneficial influence of certain diets on the disease activity in RA. Here we present a case of a female patient with a history of 3 years of active seronegative RA under current medication with prednisolone and methotrexate. Additionally, she received dietary counselling and started a plant-based diet with RA-specific dietary recommendations from Traditional Indian Medicine and intermittent fasting. This dietary regimen included meatless vegetable-based main meals, a high amount of whole food products, home-made food from fresh, organic products, and warm servings. While implementing the dietary recommendations for three years, inflammatory parameters decreased. At a 3-years-follow-up, she was able to cease her pharmacotherapy due to a complete clinical remission of RA disease activity. This case highlights the value of additional nutritional therapy in RA as well as the potential role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of RA. Well-planned prospective clinical trials are warranted in this promising field of medicine.