Study on the effect of fasting and diet on rheumatoid arthritis

J Kjeldsen-Kragh et al.

October 1992

Other fasting

Rheumatism / Joints / Arthritis / Arthrosis

In a randomized blind study, the University of Oslo tested the theory that the frequently occurring relapses after fasting therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can be reduced by a subsequent diet.

The sample of 27 test subjects took part in a four-week program on a health farm. A seven- to ten-day fasting phase was followed by an individually adapted gluten-free, vegan diet for three to five months and then a lacto-vegetarian diet. The control group, consisting of 26 test subjects, ate their usual diet during the four-week stay at a health farm.

After four weeks, the diet group showed significant improvements in numerous values, while in the control group only the sensation of pain was significantly reduced. The positive changes in the diet group were still measurable after one year, so the dietary regimen appears to be a sensible and long-term addition to conventional treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Rheumatoid arthritis
Institution: Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, Norway
Title: Study on the effect of fasting and diet on rheumatoid arthritis
Brief description: The study shows that a vegan, gluten-free diet after fasting brings about significant long-term improvements in rheumatoid arthritis.
Original title: Controlled trial of fasting and one-year vegetarian diet in rheumatoid arthritis
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1681264/