Title : Dietary patterns in autoimmune disease: From nutrition science to clinical outcomes
Abstract:
Autoimmune rheumatic diseases provide a compelling human model to examine the interaction between dietary patterns and immune regulation. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and psoriatic arthritis are characterized by chronic immune activation, systemic in?ammation, and metabolic disturbances that may be in?uenced by dietary exposures. While nutritional immunology has increasingly explored individual nutrients and bioactive compounds, growing evidence suggests that whole dietary patterns may exert more clinically meaningful effects than isolated components.
This session will examine the current evidence linking dietary patterns—particularly Mediterranean-style, plant-forward, and fiber-rich approaches—to in?ammatory and disease activity markers in autoimmune rheumatic disease. Randomized and observational studies have demonstrated associations between Mediterranean dietary adherence and reductions in C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), and composite Disease Activity Scores such as DAS28 in rheumatoid arthritis. Plant-rich dietary patterns may in?uence immune activity through multiple pathways, including modulation of gut microbiota composition, increased short-chain fatty acid production, improved metabolic tone, and reduced dietary advanced glycation end-product exposure depending on the individual. Emerging data also suggest potential benefits in fatigue, functional status, and cardiometabolic comorbidity—key considerations in long-term autoimmune management.
Beyond mechanistic plausibility, this presentation (if time allows) will address the practical realities of dietary implementation in clinical care. Topics will include variability in tolerance to high-fiber or fermented foods, the role of ultra-processed plant-based products, sarcopenia risk in chronic in?ammatory disease, and the limitations of reductionist, nutrient- focused approaches. The distinction between associative data and causal evidence will be emphasized, clarifying where randomized trial data are robust and where further investigation is needed.
By bridging nutrition science, immunology, and clinical outcomes, this session will outline how dietary pattern interventions may complement—but not replace—standard pharmacologic therapy in autoimmune rheumatic disease. The goal is to provide a clinically grounded, evidence-based framework for integrating dietary strategies into comprehensive autoimmune care.
