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It is well known that arthritis sufferers are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. A new study has found that switching to a vegan diet may both reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in those with the illness.

The study, lead by researchers at the Karolisnka Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, followed 66 volunteers who had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. 38 of the volunteers followed a vegan diet consisting of foods such as nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables. The diet consisted of around 10% protein, 60% carbohydrate, and 30% fats. The other 28 followed a healthy, non-vegan diet with the same proportions of carbohydrates, fats and protein. The volunteers remained on the diets for a year.

Those who switched to the vegan diet showed an improvement in the number of swollen joints they had, from an average of 5.3 joints to 4.3 joints. Those on the vegan diet also had reduced amounts of C-reactive protein (CRP) circulating in the blood, CRP is a measure of the amount of inflammation in the body, high CRP levels are associated with rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular problems such as heart disease and strokes.

Those on the vegan diet also had higher levels of natural antibodies known as antiPC. AntiPC antibodies are thought to help protect against damaging compounds in the body that are thought to cause cardiovascular disease and arthritis.

The vegans also experienced reductions in body mass index and LDL cholesterol levels. HDL cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels remained the same.

The authors of the study, which is published in the journal Arthritis & Therapy, concede that larger studies need to be conducted to confirm the benefits of vegan diets for those suffering rheumatoid arthritis.