Effects of a very low-fat, vegan diet in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the effects of a very low-fat, vegan diet on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Single-blind dietary intervention study. SUBJECTS AND STUDY INTERVENTIONS: This study evaluated the influence of a 4-week, very low-fat (approximately 10%), vegan diet on 24 free-living subjects with RA, average age, 56 +/- 11 years old.


METHODS
Prestudy and poststudy assessment of RA symptomatology was performed by a rheumatologist blind to the study design. Biochemical measures and 4-day diet data were also collected. Subjects met weekly for diet instruction, compliance monitoring, and progress assessments.


RESULTS
There were significant (p < 0.001) decreases in fat (69%), protein (24%), and energy (22%), and a significant increase in carbohydrate (55%) intake. All measures of RA symptomatology decreased significantly (p < 0.05), except for duration of morning stiffness (p > 0.05). Weight also decreased significantly (p < 0.001). At 4 weeks, C-reactive protein decreased 16% (ns, p > 0.05), RA factor decreased 10% (ns, p > 0.05), while erythrocyte sedimentation rate was unchanged (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that patients with moderate-to-severe RA, who switch to a very low-fat, vegan diet can experience significant reductions in RA symptoms.
McDougall
John
J
St Helena Hospital, Deer Park, CA, USA. drmcdougall@drmcdougall.com
Bruce
Bonnie
B
Spiller
Gene
G
Westerdahl
John
J
McDougall
Mary
M
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome