2nd ENDOTARGET Webinar – A TASTY take on immunity: The role of Diet in Arthritis
On December 12th, 2024, the ENDOTARGET project hosted an engaging webinar titled “A TASTY Take on Immunity: The Role of Diet in Arthritis”. Held from 6:00 to 7:30 PM CET, the session brought together experts from the ENDOTARGET project to explore the intriguing connections between diet, immunity, and rheumatic diseases.
Understanding Immune-Mediated Conditions in Children
The evening began with an informative talk by Dr. Patrícia Costa Reis, MD, PhD, titled “Understanding Immune-Mediated Conditions in Children”. Here, Dr. Reis provided an overview of immune-mediated diseases in children, focusing on conditions like juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She explained how imbalances in the immune system could lead to these chronic conditions and highlighted cutting-edge research on the role of gut health in influencing immune function. Her talk set the stage by emphasizing the importance of understanding disease mechanisms and their potential links to diet and the gut microbiome.
The Interplay Between Diet and the Gut-Immune Axis
Next, registered dietitian/ nutritionist and researcher Inês Almada Correia, RD, MSc, presented on “The Interplay Between Diet and the Gut-Immune Axis”. This session explored how specific dietary components can modulate immune activity and impact autoimmune pathways. Inês Almada Correia discussed emerging evidence on the role of food as a mediator of immune responses, offering practical insights into dietary patterns that could support disease management. This way, attendees gained a deeper understanding of how nutrition acts as a bridge between the gut and the immune system, opening doors to dietary strategies for managing autoimmune conditions.
Why Diet Matters in Autoimmune Research: The TASTY Study
Catarina Sousa Guerreiro, RD, PhD, then introduced the audience to the groundbreaking TASTY study in her talk, “Why Diet Matters in Autoimmune Research: The TASTY Study”. Here, Dr. Guerreiro explained the rationale behind investigating the Mediterranean diet enriched with fermented foods as a potential intervention for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Her presentation detailed the study’s goals and methodology, showcasing how researchers are working to uncover the links between diet and immune health. This session highlighted the innovative approaches ENDOTARGET is using to explore dietary impacts on autoimmune conditions.
Early Insights from the TASTY Study
The final presentation, “Early Insights from the TASTY Study”, was delivered by Sofia Charneca, RD, MSc Student, and Ana Hernando, RD, PhD Student. This session shared preliminary findings from the TASTY study, revealing how a Mediterranean-style diet enriched with fermented foods may help reduce disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. The presenters discussed how food choices might alleviate immune-related symptoms and enhance overall well-being, offering attendees practical takeaways from the study’s initial results.
Taken together, the 2nd ENDOTARGET webinar provided a rich blend of theoretical insights and practical implications, emphasizing the critical role diet plays in immune health and autoimmune disease management. From understanding the mechanisms behind immune-mediated conditions to exploring innovative dietary interventions like the TASTY study, the event highlighted the potential of nutrition to transform healthcare strategies for autoimmune diseases.
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You can watch the recordings here.
