Nutritional adequacy of diet and supplements in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who take medications
Bigaouette, J.; Timchalk, M.A.; Kremer, J.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 87(12): 1687-1688
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 3680833 Document Number: 303154
The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether or not the typical nutrient intake from food and supplements by 24 men and women with rheumatoid arthritis was adequate to meet their nutrition needs in light of drug-nutrient interactions from their arthritis medications. Dietary intakes of folic acid, pyridoxine, zinc, and magnesium were 60% to 80% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Nutrient supplements corrected the poor dietary intake in 17 of the 24 patients who took them. Medications routinely prescribed for management of rheumatoid arthritis interfere with those nutrients. Nutritional assessment of body stores of folic acid, pyridoxine, zinc, and magnesium is necessary to determine whether the RDA for those nutrients are adequate for patients taking daily medications for arthritis.