The important gut flora
Every now and then, we come back to this matter of diet. And there is a reason; What we choose to eat affects our health. This time we summarize what was discussed at the RheumNow Live 2024 event about the impact of diet on disease activity and on how the body responds to medication.
Have you thought about your gut flora? According to rheumatologist Monica Guma, there is growing evidence that intestinal bacteria interact with the immune system and thereby affect autoimmune diseases.
Your bacteria can affect your treatment
Patients with an active, inflammatory disease have different bacteria, and a different composition of bacteria, than healthy individuals.
An imbalance in the intestinal flora affects the disease activity, but also how the patient responds to their medical treatment. In cases where so-called DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) do not work, an imbalance in the intestinal flora can be the reason, since the medication may not be absorbed as it would otherwise have been.
Focus on the Mediterranean diet
As you might already know, it is primarily the Mediterranean diet that is recommended for autoimmune disease. This diet consists mainly of fish, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, beans and virgin olive oil. At the same time, one should be restrictive with alcohol, processed food, added sugar, salt and saturated fats.
Also Guma believed that the Mediterranean diet can promote a healthy intestinal flora.
Education about healthy choices
Guma also believed that when it comes to food and eating habits, the focus should be on the actual change of diet and lifestyle. Don’t think about weight when you make a change like this, says Guma. A healthy diet combined with exercise is what the body needs, and if this is what your body gets, the rest will come naturally.
When we learn to make healthy choices, we are strengthened as individuals, and given the opportunity to actively participate in our own treatment.