The Myositis Association (TMA) has earned national recognition as one of the winning teams in the National Institutes of Health’s NOURISH (Nutrition for OUR Immune System Health): Autoimmunity Challenge. This national competition invited creative ideas that explore how nutrition can improve the lives of people with autoimmune diseases. TMA’s proposal—”Dietary Interventions in Dermatomyositis: Autoimmune Protocol vs. Mediterranean Diet”—was selected as one of only 15 winning concepts nationwide.
While autoimmune diseases affect tens of millions of Americans, the role of diet and nutrition in disease onset, progression, and symptom management remains significantly underexplored. The NIH’s NOURISH Challenge, led by the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research (OADR), was created to encourage new research that connects food, the immune system, and long‑term health.
According to the contest judges, TMA’s winning submission “stood out for its creativity, scientific promise, and potential to meaningfully integrate diet and nutrition into autoimmune disease research.” Our proposal supports one of NIH’s main goals: studying whether structured diets can improve symptoms and overall well‑being.
TMA’s winning submission “stood out for its creativity, scientific promise, and potential to meaningfully integrate diet and nutrition into autoimmune disease research.”
Why This Matters for the Myositis Community
For decades, those who live with myositis have faced limited research on how nutrition may affect inflammation, muscle strength, fatigue, and overall well‑being. TMA’s recognition in the NOURISH Challenge signals a meaningful shift:
- Elevated visibility for myositis within the broader autoimmune research landscape
- New opportunities to explore diet as a complementary tool in disease management
- Patient-centered innovation, reflecting the lived experiences and needs of the community
This award also reinforces TMA’s leadership in advocating for research that is both scientifically rigorous and deeply informed by patient voices.
Celebrating Innovation: NIH Winners Presentation Webinar
To honor the winners and share their groundbreaking ideas, the NIH hosted a NOURISH Autoimmunity Challenge Winners Presentation Webinar on Monday, March 30. This virtual event highlighted the creativity and scientific promise behind each winning concept, including TMA’s contribution.
During the webinar, TMA’s Research and Communications Specialist Linda Kobert presented an overview of our winning submission. In crafting the proposal, Linda led a diverse and interdisciplinary team of experts, advocates, and individuals living with autoimmune diseases, including:
- Dr. Lisa Christopher-Stine, Director of the Johns Hopkins Myositis Center.
- Dr. Latika Gupta, a UK-based rheumatologist and co-leader of the COVAD study group, which explores holistic healthcare in autoimmune diseases.
- Kim Murray, a registered dietitian and nutrition blogger for TMA and care partner for her husband who lives with myositis.
- Dorothy Vetrano, who has lived with dermatomyositis since 2021 and writes about wellness and lifestyle concerns for TMA.
A Step Toward a Healthier Future
The NOURISH Challenge shows how powerful it can be when researchers, healthcare providers, patients, and advocacy groups work together. TMA’s success highlights the growing interest in using nutrition as part of autoimmune disease care. It also opens the door to future studies that could change how myositis is understood and treated.
As the conversation around diet and autoimmune health continues to grow, TMA’s leadership ensures that the myositis community remains at the forefront of this promising new frontier.
