Dietary Options to Steer Clear of When Managing Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint condition that can cause significant harm to bones and cartilage. This autoimmune disease affects millions worldwide, and early diagnosis is crucial, especially in patients with high disease activity, elevated self-antibodies, and early joint injury.
The pathophysiological mechanisms of RA revolve around chronic autoimmune-driven inflammation primarily affecting the joints. This inflammation is characterised by complex immune system dysregulation and tissue damage.
One key factor is the persistent activation of immune cells such as monocytes and macrophages in the synovial joints. These cells produce inflammatory cytokines and mediators that maintain and amplify inflammation. Recent studies have shown that monocytes in RA joints "remember" previous inflammatory triggers, leading to enhanced inflammatory signaling, altered metabolism, and iron-related cell death, causing sustained inflammation and joint damage.
Autoimmunity in RA involves the formation of autoantibodies against modified self-proteins. Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) like citrullination and carbamylation alter self-proteins, making them immunogenic and triggering an autoimmune response that exacerbates joint inflammation.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) play a significant role in recruiting and activating neutrophils and other immune cells to the synovial joints, perpetuating inflammation and tissue injury.
Altered metabolism in immune cells and processes like iron-related cell death (ferroptosis) contribute to aberrant immune activation and tissue damage in RA joints.
In terms of treatment, a therapy-to-target approach is used, assessing disease activity with composite indices, and employing traditional, biological, and novel non-biological disease-modifying antirheumatic medicines.
In managing RA, it's important to avoid processed foods like trans fat, sugary snacks and beverages, processed meat, fast food, artificial additives, refined grains, pre-packaged frozen dinners, and convenience foods. These foods can exacerbate inflammation and worsen arthritic symptoms in some people.
Despite current therapies, the immune memory and modified protein targets complicate treatment and can cause treatment resistance and flare-ups. However, understanding these mechanisms provides a foundation for developing more effective treatments in the future.
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[1] The therapy-to-target approach in managing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) includes the use of traditional, biological, and novel non-biological disease-modifying antirheumatic medicines, aiming to control disease activity.
[2] Altered metabolism and iron-related cell death contribute to the aberrant immune activation and tissue damage observed in RA joints, highlighting the importance of health and wellness practices for RA patients.
[3] Recent scientific advancements in understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis have shed light on the role of autoantibodies against modified self-proteins (like citrullination and carbamylation) in triggering an inflammatory response that exacerbates joint inflammation.
[4] The chronic inflammation in RA is characterized by complex immune system dysregulation, tissue damage, and the persistence of immune cells like monocytes and macrophages, which "remember" previous inflammatory triggers, leading to enhanced signaling, altered metabolism, and iron-related cell death, causing sustained inflammation and joint damage.
[5] Early diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis is crucial, particularly in patients with high disease activity, elevated self-antibodies, and early joint injury, as therapy may help minimize long-term damage to bones and cartilage associated with this chronic medical-condition.
