Effectiveness of Multigrain Supplementation Among the Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Effectiveness of High Fiber Multigrain Supplementation Among the Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Randomized, Open Label Trial

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of high fiber multigrain supplementation on the level of clinical disease severity measures, blood inflammatory molecules, and nutritional status changes in RA patients.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory, autoimmune rheumatic disease, resulting in progressive joint inflammation and destruction. At present, there is no known cure for this disease. As a consequence of the potential side effects, many RA patients turn to other alternative remedies such as specialised diets and/or dietary supplements in a bid to relieve their symptoms. Therefore, the current study aims to examine the effectiveness of high fiber multigrain supplementation on the level of clinical disease severity measures, blood inflammatory molecules, together with the nutritional status changes in RA patients, as compare with conventional drug treatments.

Inclusion Criteria:

• RA patients according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
• Moderate (DAS 28 = 3.2 - 5.1) and severe (DAS 28 > 5.1) RA manifestation
• Chronological age: 21 years and above
• Stable RA patients who are receiving NSAIDs, glucocorticoids/DMARDs (for example leflunomide, methotrexate, sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine) for at least 3 months prior to entering the study
• Not taking antioxidant/antiinflammatory supplements (Example of antioxidant: vitamin C, vitamin E, grape seed extract, garlic capsule, ginkgo biloba) (Example of anti-inflammatory supplement: fish oil, curcumin extract, ginger extract, spirulina)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having liver (chronic liver failure, cirrhosis, all types of hepatitis), kidney (chronic kidney disease, haemodialysis) or haematological (anaemia, thalassemia, haemophilia) disorders
• Active gastric/duodenal ulcer
• Psychiatric disease/mental retardation (bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia)
• Cancer (all types), Diabetes Mellitus (Type I and II), uncontrolled hypertension (BP at 140/90 mmHg for the past 3 months), and endocrine disorders (Cushing's disease, gigantism and hyperthyroidism).
• Alcohol and drug abuse (self-mentioned or as recorded in the medical card)
• Other autoimmune/inflammatory diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, gout, psoriasis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy)
• Pregnancy/lactation
• Hormone replacement therapy (for at least 3 months prior to entering the study)
• Herbal remedies (any parts from the plants such as flowers, rhizome, seeds, roots, leaves, fruits, stems)
• Vegetarian patient (pure vegan)
• Gluten intolerance
• Participations from another supplementary program