Antioxidants

Indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Source: J Am Coll Nutr, 2003;22:311-5.

Research: Researchers compared nutrient intake and antioxidant status of 97 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 97 healthy subjects matched for age and gender. Nutrient intake was assessed with the use of dietary surveys, and 20 subjects from each group provided blood samples.

Results: Patients with rheumatoid ar­thritis consumed fewer calories and significantly lower amounts of fat, vitamin A and beta-carotene compared with healthy subjects. In addition, patients with rheumatoid arthritis also had significantly lower blood levels of vitamin E and the antioxidant enzymes made by the body, superoxide dismutase and gluta­thione peroxidase.