Nutrition Muesli relieves the arthritis symptoms and slows down the bone loss

Daily muesli, fruits and vegetables help to maintain a species-rich mix of bacteria

Many German citizens come in the morning a delicious cereal on the breakfast table. The dietary fiber provides a healthy start to the day. Researchers at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) have now substantiated the health aspect of mueslis in terms of autoimmune diseases. According to the researchers, a high-fiber diet can positively influence the course of chronic inflammatory joint disease and strengthen bones. The results of the scientific work were recently published in the journal "Nature Communications".

According to the scientists, intestinal bacteria play a key role in this process. A healthy intestinal flora consists of a variety of bacterial species. "Every adult person carries about two kilograms of benign bacteria in his intestine," writes the FAU in a press release. These digestive aids break down fiber into individual components so that the body can absorb them. The resulting short-chain fatty acids provide energy, stimulate the intestinal movement and inhibit inflammation. The researchers were able to demonstrate in the current study that the metabolites of the intestinal bacteria affect the immune system and thus also on autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and have positive effects on bone density.

Researchers document the positive effects that result from a high-fiber diet. In particular, the short-chain fatty acids that form in the intestine have a positive effect on arthritis and autoimmune diseases and slow down bone loss. (Photo: exclusive-design / fotolia.com)

The diligent helper in the intestine counteract the bone loss

The FAU researchers were also able to show that more short-chain fatty acids are formed by healthy fiber-rich diets, in particular propionate, the salts and esters of propionic acid. The propionate could be detected in high concentrations in the bone marrow as a result of fiber-rich diets, where it reduced the number of bone-degrading cells and thus significantly slowed down bone resorption.

A species-rich bacteria mix in the gut is good for your health

Intestinal bacteria have a wealth of beneficial effects on our body. For example, they fight pathogens that enter the digestive tract. The composition of the intestinal flora can have both protective and pathogenic effects. According to the scientists, an intact coexistence of the different bacteria can protect the intestinal wall and prevent it from becoming permeable to pathogens. A healthy diet with enough fiber could help to maintain a species-rich mix of bacteria.

Some questions remain unanswered

In further investigations, it is important to clarify how the understanding between intestinal bacteria and the immune system proceeds and how, if necessary, the bacteria could be positively influenced. The researchers pay particular attention to the short-chain fatty acids propionate and butyrate, which scientists believe have a major impact on the functioning of the joints.

The study leader summarizes

"We were able to show that a bacteria-friendly diet is anti-inflammatory and at the same time has a positive effect on bone strength," says study leader Dr. Mario Zaiss. The findings would provide a promising approach for the development of innovative therapies for inflammatory joint disease and for the treatment of osteoporosis. "We can not give a concrete recommendation for a bacteria-friendly diet today, but having a morning cereal and enough fruit and vegetables every day helps maintain a species-rich mix of bacteria," explains Zaiss. (Fp)