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Published Online: 5 July 2004

Effects of a Very Low-Fat, Vegan Diet in Subjects with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Publication: The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine
Volume 8, Issue Number 1

Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate the effects of a very low-fat, vegan diet on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Design: Single-blind dietary intervention study.
Subjects and study interventions: This study evaluated the influence of a 4-week, very low-fat (~10%), vegan diet on 24 free-living subjects with RA, average age, 56 ± 11 years old.
Outcome measurements: 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).
Conclusion: 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.

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Published In

cover image The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine
Volume 8Issue Number 1February 2002
Pages: 71 - 75
PubMed: 11890437

History

Published online: 5 July 2004
Published in print: February 2002

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John McDougall
St. Helena Hospital, Deer Park, CA
Bonnie Bruce
SPHERA Foundation, Los Altos, CA
Gene Spiller
SPHERA Foundation, Los Altos, CA
John Westerdahl
Castle Center for Health Promotion, Kaneohe, HI
Mary McDougall
St. Helena Hospital, Deer Park, CA

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