Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that chiefly affects the joints. It can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, making it challenging for individuals to carry out their daily activities.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but several treatments are available to manage the disease symptoms. One such treatment is probiotics, which have shown some promising results in managing the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer potential health benefits to the host when consumed in adequate amounts. They are commonly found in yogurt, fermented foods, and dietary supplements.

Probiotics help maintain the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut, leading to several health benefits, such as improved digestion, enhanced immunity, and management of certain conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

How Do Probiotics Help Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain?

Rheumatoid arthritis pain arises due to several factors, such as inflammation caused by the immune system, gut dysbiosis, and oxidative stress. Probiotics possess anti-inflammatory properties.

They can reduce inflammation by regulating the immune system’s response, leading to a reduction in joint pain and stiffness. Additionally, probiotics can help improve gut health by restoring the balance of good and harmful bacteria in the gut.

By doing so, probiotics can alleviate the symptoms of gut inflammation and dysbiosis, which are commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Probiotics’ Role in Modulating Immune Response

Probiotics can influence the immune system’s response by increasing the production of anti-inflammatory molecules in the gut. They can induce the production of regulatory T-cells (Treg), which play a crucial role in maintaining immune balance.

Treg cells produce anti-inflammatory cytokines that help reduce inflammation and prevent the immune system from overreacting to harmless stimuli, such as food particles or commensal bacteria. Probiotics can also suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which are responsible for causing joint damage and pain in rheumatoid arthritis.

Probiotics and Gut Barrier Function

Gut barrier function refers to the ability of the gut lining to prevent harmful substances such as bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles from entering the bloodstream.

A disrupted gut barrier function can lead to gut dysbiosis, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Probiotics can help enhance gut barrier function by reducing intestinal permeability. They can increase the production of mucin, which is a glycoprotein that lines the intestine and protects it from harmful substances.

Probiotics can also decrease the expression of tight junction proteins such as zonulin-1, which regulates intestinal permeability. By reducing intestinal permeability, probiotics can prevent harmful substances from entering the bloodstream, reducing inflammation and joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Probiotics and Antioxidant Activity

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with high levels of oxidative stress, which can lead to joint damage and pain. Probiotics possess antioxidant properties that can help scavenge free radicals and prevent oxidative stress.

They can increase the production of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), all of which play a crucial role in reducing oxidative stress levels in the body.

Probiotic Strains for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Not all probiotics are created equal, and different strains may have different effects on rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Some probiotic strains have been shown to be more effective than others in managing rheumatoid arthritis pain.

One such strain is Bifidobacterium infantis, which has been shown to reduce joint pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Another strain, Lactobacillus casei, has been shown to improve gut barrier function and reduce inflammation in the gut.

Other strains that have shown promising results in managing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Streptococcus thermophilus.

Conclusion

Probiotics offer a potential non-pharmacological treatment option to manage rheumatoid arthritis pain. They have shown promising results in reducing joint pain and inflammation, improving gut health, and reducing oxidative stress levels.

However, more research is needed to determine the optimal probiotic strains, doses, and treatment duration for managing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.