Yes, Fasting has significant role in management of RA.

According to Ayurveda (the traditional Indian System of Medicine), RA is considered/named as "Amavata" disease. Several Ayurveda treatises (such as Chakra Datta, Sushruta Samhita, Bhaishajya Ratnavali etc.) advocates to follow a key treatment principle/formula to manage Amavata:

"Langhanam swedanam tiktam deepanani katunicha...."

Here fasting is considered under 'Langhanam', and it is the foremost treatment step of Amavata or RA. This treatment principle has been followed by Ayurveda Practioners since time immemorial with great success..Several researches at MD/PhD levels are also being conducted in these aspects and validated significant role of fasting in Amavata management..You may also find some published reports in this regard..

Regards

Dr Rohit Sharma

You may find these papers helpful:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288569/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27239035

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1681264

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17078771

Normal IgG has side chains that terminate in galactose and sialic acid. A high proportion of IgG in rheumatoid arthritis terminates in N-acetyl glucosamine (GNAc). Lectins from wheat, potato and tomato bind to this., encouraging attack by the immune system against this complex. Rather than temporarily abstaining from food, I suggest permanently abstaining from wheat, potato and tomato. See chapter 34 in Food Allergy and Intolerance 2nd edition, by J. Brostoff and S.J. Challacombe, Saunders, London, 2002.

People with RA are poor at sulphate conjugation. This can be addressed by Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) baths, supplementing relevant nutrients, molybdenum and vitamins B2, 5 and 6, and consuming plenty of omega three fatty acids. See  Moss M, Waring RH. The Plasma Cysteine/Sulphate Ratio: a Possible Clinical Biomarker. J Nutr Env Med 2003; 13(4): 215-229. Stress on sulphate conjugation can be reduced by lowering the quantity of amines and phenols in the diet.

RA also appears to be related to molecular mimicry. Bacteria in the gut prompt formation of antibodies that also attack the body. Proteus seems to be the problem. Fasting must affect the gut flora. Whether this is helpful in the case of Proteus I do not know. Another approach is to supplement good quality beneficial bacteria to compete with Proteus. See Ebringer A et al, Autoimmun Rev 2010 Feb 9(4) 216-23 and Rashid T et al, Autoimmune Did doi 10.1155/2012/539282. While in some conditions fructose maybe harmful, in RA it my be helpful, suggesting that fruit may be beneficial.

Fasting has a big problem: the feed back to stop starving.

I usually used Initial Huger as a signal for deciding energy intake. This is differernt from fastng.

Kindly go through the following RG link.

Article Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis with Dietary Interventions

A small and controversial body of literature suggests that fasting or dietary changes benefit some patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Several studies suggest that fasting may suppress mediators of inflammation in RA.

https://www.jwatch.org/jw199110250000003/1991/10/25/fasting-diet-and-rheumatoid-arthritis

Citation:

Kjeldsen Kragh J et al. Controlled trial of fasting and one-year vegetarian diet in rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 1991 Oct 12 338 899902

Please go through this article

following

Various research found that fasting of 7–10 days with partial nutrient intake of vegetable broth, herbal teas, parsley, garlic, and decoction of potatoes; juice extracts from carrots, beets, and celery; and a controlled daily energy intake followed by 1 year of a vegan diet as compared to omnivorous diet showed remarkable decrease in swollen and tender joints, pain.

Please also take a look at this useful RG link.

Article Fasting followed by vegetarian diet in patients with rheumat...

If fasting entails low consumption of calorie and saturated fat, it may alleviate pain.

Article Fasting and rheumatic diseases

Please follow the following attached article entitled, "The Effects of the Ramadan Month of Fasting on Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis."