THE IMPACT OF DIET AND MICROBIOTA ON THE PATHOGENESIS OF RHEUMATOLOGICAL DISEASES: A CURRENT LOOK AT NUTRITIONAL AND IMMUNE INTERACTION

Abstract

Autoimmune rheumatological diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), involve chronic inflammation, affecting the quality of life of millions of people. The recent understanding of how diet and intestinal microbiota interact with immunity has brought new perspectives to the management of these diseases. This study explores how different dietary patterns, such as the Western diet and the Mediterranean diet, modulate the microbiota and, consequently, systemic inflammation associated with these autoimmune conditions. The Western diet, rich in saturated fats and sugars, is associated with an increase in pro-inflammatory bacteria, exacerbating the symptoms of rheumatological diseases. On the other hand, diets rich in fiber, such as the Mediterranean, favor the growth of beneficial bacteria that produce healthy short-chain vitamins, which are essential in reducing the contribution. reduction of cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α in patients with RA and SLE. Despite promising results, specifications include individual microbiota variability, which demands personalized approaches in dietary disciplines. Future long-term studies are recommended to consolidate these interventions as complementary strategies to pharmacological treatment, involving a comprehensive and low-risk approach for patients with autoimmune diseases.