Rheumatoid Arthritis: Spinella P

Sales C, Oliviero F, Spinella P. · Servizio di Dietetica e Nutrizione Clinica, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italia. · Reumatismo. · Pubmed #19370182 links to  free full text

Abstract: The Mediterranean diet is based on a pattern of eating closely tied to the Mediterranean region, which includes Greece and southern Italy. Essentially, the traditional diet emphasizes foods from plant sources, limited meat consumption, small amounts of wine and olive oil as the main fat source. The beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet has been proven not only to cardiovascular diseases but also for diabetes, obesity, arthritis and cancer. Its anti-inflammatory and protective properties are linked to the large presence of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, but especially to the constituents of extra virgin olive oil: oleic acid, phenolic compounds olecanthal, a new recently discovered molecule, with natural anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown that the Mediterranean diet can reduce disease activity, pain and stiffness in patients with inflammatory arthritis and may thus constitute a valuable support for patients suffering from these diseases.

Sales C, Oliviero F, Spinella P. · Servizio di Dietetica e Nutrizione Clinica, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Padova, Padova. · Reumatismo. · Pubmed #18854877 links to  free full text

Abstract: The beneficial properties of fish oil are well known and are related to its fatty acid composition rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the last years a variety of epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of fish oil supplementation in the rheumatic diseases, in particular in rheumatoid arthritis. The anti-inflammatory effects of fish oil are linked to the production of alternative eicosanoids, to the reduction of proinflammatory cytokines, to the inhibition of the activation of T lymphocytes and of catabolic enzymes. Fish oil supplementation could represent a valuable support to the traditional pharmacological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Sales C, Oliviero F, Spinella P. · Servizio di Dietetica e Nutrizione Clinica, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, Padua, Italy. · Reumatismo. · Pubmed #18651052 links to  free full text

Abstract: The beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been widely described in the literature in particular those on cardiovascular system. In the last decade there has been an increased interest in the role of these nutrients in the reduction of articular inflammation as well as in the improvement of clinical symptoms in subjects affected by rheumatic diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nutritional supplementation with omega-3 may represent an additional therapy to the traditional pharmacological treatment due to the anti-inflammatory properties which characterize this class of lipids: production of alternative eicosanoids, reduction of inflammatory cytokines, reduction of T-lymphocytes activation, reduction of catabolic enzymes activity. The encouraging results of dietetic therapy based on omega-3 in RA are leading researchers to test their effectiveness on patients with other rheumatic conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus and ankylosing spondylitis. Nutritional therapy based on food rich in omega-3 or on supplementation with fish oil capsules, proved to be a valid support to he treatment of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases.