What is the anti inflammatory diet for giant cell arteritis?

October 8, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the American College of Rheumatology, giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of vasculitis in adults, typically affecting those over 50. Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet can be a powerful complement to prescribed medical treatments, helping to manage symptoms and support overall health for those with giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Quick Summary

This article outlines the dietary strategies that can help manage inflammation associated with giant cell arteritis. It covers beneficial foods to emphasize, items to limit or avoid, and provides crucial nutritional advice for individuals undergoing treatment for GCA.

Key Points

Embrace the Mediterranean-style diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil to combat systemic inflammation.
Prioritize omega-3 fatty acids: Incorporate fatty fish like salmon and mackerel into your diet to leverage their potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Reduce or eliminate processed foods: Limit consumption of fried foods, added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and excessive red and processed meats.
Boost calcium and vitamin D intake: Combat potential bone density loss from corticosteroid treatment by eating dairy, leafy greens, and fortified products.
Stay hydrated and mindful: Choose water and green tea over sugary drinks and work with a healthcare professional to tailor a diet that supports your GCA management plan.

Understanding Giant Cell Arteritis and Inflammation

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is a form of vasculitis where the body's immune system attacks its own blood vessels, causing inflammation. This inflammation can narrow or damage blood vessels, leading to restricted blood flow and a range of symptoms, from persistent headaches and jaw pain to severe complications like vision loss. While medications like corticosteroids are the cornerstone of GCA treatment, lifestyle changes, particularly an anti-inflammatory diet, can significantly support the body and help manage the inflammatory process.

The Role of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods can help lower systemic inflammation by providing antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. Conversely, a diet high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats can increase inflammation, potentially worsening symptoms. For individuals with GCA, dietary choices can help combat the underlying inflammatory state and mitigate some side effects of corticosteroid treatment, such as high blood pressure, weight gain, and bone loss.

Foods to Emphasize in an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Building a diet that counters inflammation involves prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods. The following categories should form the foundation of your meals:

Omega-3-rich fatty fish: Excellent sources include salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring. The omega-3s, EPA and DHA, are potent anti-inflammatory agents that help reduce inflammatory markers in the body. Aim for at least two servings per week.
Colorful fruits and vegetables: Antioxidant-rich produce helps fight oxidative stress. Focus on a wide variety of berries (blueberries, raspberries), leafy greens (spinach, kale), tomatoes, broccoli, and bell peppers.
Whole grains: Foods like oats, brown rice, quinoa, and barley provide fiber and nutrients that support a healthy gut microbiome, which is linked to lower inflammation.
Nuts and seeds: These are packed with healthy fats, fiber, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Incorporate walnuts, almonds, flaxseeds, and chia seeds into your meals and snacks.
Extra virgin olive oil: A staple of the Mediterranean diet, this healthy fat contains oleocanthal, a compound with anti-inflammatory effects comparable to ibuprofen.
Herbs and spices: Flavor your food naturally with inflammation-fighting ingredients like turmeric (containing curcumin), ginger, garlic, and rosemary.

Practical Tips for Implementation

Making dietary changes can be challenging, especially while managing a chronic condition. Start by making small, sustainable changes. For example, swap out one processed snack for a handful of nuts or add a serving of leafy greens to your dinner. Focus on cooking with fresh ingredients and using healthy oils. Patients on corticosteroids should also pay special attention to calcium and vitamin D intake to prevent bone thinning.

Foods to Limit or Avoid

Just as some foods help, others can worsen inflammation and should be restricted or eliminated:

Processed and fried foods: Items like fast food, packaged snacks, and pre-prepared meals are often high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and preservatives that fuel inflammation.
Added sugars and refined carbohydrates: Found in soda, candy, white bread, and pastries, these can trigger inflammatory responses.
Excessive red and processed meats: High consumption is linked to increased inflammation. Opt for lean protein sources like fish and poultry instead.
Certain fats: Limit saturated fats found in high-fat dairy and some cuts of meat. Avoid trans fats entirely.
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can disrupt the gut microbiome and contribute to systemic inflammation.

Comparing Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Foods


Food Group	Anti-Inflammatory Choices	Pro-Inflammatory Choices
Fats & Oils	Extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, nuts, seeds	Trans fats, processed vegetable oils, margarine
Protein	Fatty fish (salmon), lean poultry, beans, lentils	Red meat, processed meats, fried chicken
Carbohydrates	Whole grains (oats, quinoa), sweet potatoes	White bread, pastries, sugary cereals, white rice
Fruits & Vegetables	Berries, leafy greens, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers	Fruit juices with added sugar, certain nightshades (monitor individual response)
Beverages	Green tea, water	Soda, sugary drinks, excessive alcohol

Conclusion

While an anti-inflammatory diet is not a cure for giant cell arteritis, it is a crucial and powerful component of a comprehensive management strategy. By focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods and minimizing processed, sugar-laden items, individuals with GCA can help reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and mitigate potential side effects of their medication. A dietary plan built around colorful fruits and vegetables, omega-3 rich fish, healthy fats, and whole grains works synergistically with medical treatment to support overall health and well-being. Always consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet to ensure it complements your specific treatment plan. Here's more information on how anti-inflammatory diets work.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, an anti-inflammatory diet is not a cure for giant cell arteritis (GCA). It is a complementary strategy used alongside prescribed medical treatments, like corticosteroids, to help manage inflammation and reduce symptoms. Timely medical intervention is critical for preventing complications like vision loss.

To manage GCA-related inflammation, it is recommended to limit or avoid processed and fried foods, refined carbohydrates (like white bread and pastries), added sugars found in sodas and snacks, and excessive red or processed meats.

The Mediterranean diet is a well-researched eating pattern that is naturally anti-inflammatory. Its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil aligns perfectly with the dietary recommendations for managing GCA. Many experts recommend this diet as a template.

Since high-dose corticosteroids can lead to bone loss and weight gain, an anti-inflammatory diet can help mitigate these effects. Increasing calcium and vitamin D intake from sources like fortified dairy, leafy greens, and supplements can protect bones, while a balanced diet helps manage weight.

While omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, and other anti-inflammatory supplements may offer benefits, it is crucial to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. They can interact with medications or have other side effects, so personalized medical advice is essential.

The theory that nightshade vegetables (like tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers) trigger inflammatory flares is not well-supported by scientific evidence. However, some individuals report sensitivities. You can try eliminating them for a couple of weeks to see if your symptoms improve, but do so with guidance from a doctor.

Staying well-hydrated is important for overall health and can help manage symptoms like headaches. Stick to water and green tea, which is rich in antioxidants, and avoid or limit sugary beverages and alcohol, which can promote inflammation.