Fasting-driven suppression of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Prolonged fasting (PF) and time-restricted eating (TRE) have emerged as widely used dietary regimens gaining attention for potential health benefits, but evidence is sparse. We investigated the combined effects of one week of PF followed by 12 months of TRE in patients suffering from the chronic autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Participants experienced sustained reductions in the RA Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) from 31.81 to 8.16 ( P -value < 0.001) and improved well-being and functional ability. These effects were accompanied by a significant and sustained decrease in BMI from 25.02 (day 1) to 24.08 (week 52). TRE was also associated with a tendency for an adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MD). Statistical analysis revealed that reductions in BMI, adherence to TRE and MD significantly impact CDAI improvements. TRE might therefore represent a valuable tool to sustain PF-induced health benefits over time.