RECENT RESEARCH complementary and nonpharmacological therapy might have been associated with alleviating fatigue and pain in M . S . patients . Based on the current study , massage intervention for MS patients could have possible clinical value for palliating pain and fatigue and improving quality of life ; however , this matter needs further and more significant trial studies .
Nutrition
Chen H , Liu L , Wang Y . et al . Managing cardiovascular risk in patients with autoimmune diseases : Insights from a nutritional perspective . Curr Nutr Rep . 2024 ; 13 : 718 – 728 . https :// doi . org / 10.1007 / s13668-024-00563-7
Purpose of Review : Autoimmune diseases manifest as an immune system response directed against endogenous antigens , exerting a significant influence on a substantial portion of the population . Notably , a leading contributor to morbidity and mortality in this context is cardiovascular disease ( CVD ). Intriguingly , individuals with autoimmune disorders exhibit a heightened prevalence of CVD compared to the general population . The meticulous management of CV risk factors assumes paramount importance , given the current absence of a standardized solution to this perplexity . This review endeavors to address this challenge from a nutritional perspective .
Recent Findings : Emerging evidence suggests that inflammation , a common thread in autoimmune diseases , also plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of CVD . Nutritional interventions aimed at reducing inflammation have shown promise in mitigating cardiovascular risk .
Summary : The integration of nutritional strategies into the management plans for patients with autoimmune diseases offers a holistic approach to reducing cardiovascular risk . While conventional pharmacological treatments remain foundational , the addition of targeted dietary interventions can provide a complementary pathway to improve cardiovascular outcomes .
Larsen OFA . Nurturing by nutrition : On the future of gut microbiota management strategies for autoimmune disease . Front . Nutr . 2023 ; 9 . https :// doi . org / 10.3389 / fnut . 2022.1107016
The incidence of autoimmune disease continues to rise , which urges for new prevention and treatment modalities . The composition of the gut microbiota is associated with both susceptibility and progression of disease . Nutrition significantly shapes the gut microbial composition , and poses as such a modality for both prevention and treatment / adjuvant therapy . At very young age , nutritional intervention targeting the gut microbiota is still possible within a one-size-fits all regime , accompanied by a relatively high effect size . As ageing results in higher interindividual variation induced by cumulative exposome factors , a more personalized approach is needed , having a higher effect size than that of current nutritional intervention . As such , supplementation of microbial consortia consisting of keystone taxa and microbial guilds that are involved in the pathophysiology seem a promising direction to lower the burden of autoimmune disease .
Ribeiro AA , Carvalho LM , da Mota JCNL , Nonino CB , Gualano B , Nunes JAV , Martinez JA , Nicoletti CF . Diet , DNA methylation , and systemic lupus erythematosus : Evidence and perspectives focused on personalized nutrition . Nutrition and Dietetics . 2024 ; 17 ( 1 ): 31 – 40 . https :// doi . org / 10.1159 / 000537917
Background : The pathoetiology of systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE ) involves a multifactorial interaction consisting of various genetic , epigenetic , and environmental factors . Considering epigenetic characteristics , notable alterations in DNA methylation , particularly hypomethylation in immune-related pathways , such as T-cell receptor , have been observed . In turn , these alterations are associated with the overexpression of genes related to autoimmunity and a loss of immunological self-tolerance .
Furthermore , DNA hypomethylation levels in SLE may contribute to disease progression and also impact disease activity and clinical manifestations .
Summary : It is well established that nutritional epigenetics elucidates the role of nutrition and dietary factors on the interactions of metabolic systems with the molecules that bind to DNA , regulating gene expression . Specific nutritional interventions may reverse initial epigenetic patterns , thereby significantly impacting the chronic disease ’ s treatment and prognosis . In fact , dietary nutrients and bioactive food compounds may influence DNA methylation patterns by inhibiting enzymes related to DNA methylation reactions or by altering the availability of different substrates involved in DNA methylation process ( e . g ., methyl donor nutrients ).
Key Message : The knowledge of how diet plays a role in changing DNA methylation patterns in SLE is in the early stages . While a few studies in the literature have assessed the effects of nutrient intake , supplementation , or treatment on DNA methylation levels and have demonstrated their relevance , further research is imperative to deepen our comprehension of the interactions between epigenetics and nutrients , which is vital for the development of novel precision nutrition approaches .
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