Intermittent Fasting Aids Some Outcomes for Postmenopausal Women With RA

FRIDAY, Jan. 31, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Intermittent fasting may benefit antioxidant and inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study published online Jan. 18 in Scientific Reports.

Aryan Tavakoli, from the School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran, and colleagues randomly assigned 44 postmenopausal women (with overweight or obesity) with rheumatoid arthritis to either following a 16:8 intermittent fasting diet or their usual diet. 

The researchers found that the intermittent fasting group showed significant decreases in serum malondialdehyde levels and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and increased catalase levels versus the control group. There were also significant decreases seen in the liver enzymes aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase in the intermittent fasting group.  

“In conclusion, these findings indicate that intermittent fasting may offer a valuable nonpharmacological approach to managing rheumatoid arthritis in this specific population, addressing both the primary disease symptoms and associated metabolic complications,” the authors write. “While further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms and long-term effects, this study provides strong evidence for the potential of intermittent fasting as an adjunct therapy in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, particularly in postmenopausal women who are overweight and obese.”

Abstract/Full Text