Naheed ARYAEIAN - Department of Nutrition, School of Public of Health, Iran University of medical Sciences
Farhad SHAHRAM - Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of medical sciences
Hajar TAVAKKOLI - Department of Cellular molecular Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Dietetic, Tehran University of medical sciences
Mohammad Reza ESHRAGIAN - Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public of Health, Tehran University of medical sciences

Background: Despite probably beneficial effects of Ginger on weight, body composition and Blood pressure, there is little information on its effects in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease. Many of patients with this inflammatory disease suffer from cachexia some of others suffer from overweight. This article has designed to investigate the effects of Ginger powder on weight, body composition and blood pressure in adults who suffer from active RA.Methods: In a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial; Seventy nine patients with active RA were divided randomly into two groups to receive either Ginger or placebo for 3months. Ginger was prescribed 1500 mg daily as 2 capsules. Body composition measured by Food processor (version 4) program. Comparison between groups was done by independent t-test and comparison within groups carried out by pair t-test Comparison for quantitative variables was done by Chi-square test for qualitative data.Results: Regarding the anthropometric characteristics, Weight, body mass index (BMI), Conicityindex and hip Circumference were significantly increased in control group compared to baseline (P < 0.001) (P < 0.001) (P < 0.05) (P < 0.001) and the difference between two groups was significant (P < 0.001) (P < 0.04) (P < 0.02) respectively. Waist Circumference (WC) were increased in control group and the difference was significant (P < 0.01). Percent body fat (PBF)2was significantly decreased in Ginger group (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in Soft Lean Mass and blood pressure.Conclusion: Ginger as a food supplement resulted in a significant suppression in weight gain, BMI, PBF(percent of body fat), Conicity index and varies anthropometric characteristics of RA patients in short period and may be considered useful as a nutritional strategy.

Ginger, Rheumatoid Arthritis, BMI, Body composition, conicity index