Eating For Lupus?

                                                                                                                                                           
People have posed the question, "Is there a specific diet for lupus"? This all depends on who you ask and where you look. The internet will give you an array of answers but there is only one correct answer and that is, "NO, there is NOT a specific diet for lupus". 

In general, you should eat well-balanced nutritious meals & a varied diet that includes the food pyramid. I'm sure we all recall the food pyramid from grammar school - right? 


Omega-3 oily fish is really important to eat. One reason it's important is that it has been found that Omega-3 helps lower blood pressure and it can aid in reducing the risk of coronary disease in women with lupus.
 
Fruits and Vegetables: Whole fruits, berries & vegetables are all rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants & phytochemicals. Choose green and brightly colored vegetables and whole fruits such as broccoli, chard, strawberries, blueberries, spinach, carrots and squash. You should eat at least five (and preferably more) servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

Protein Sources. Possible anti-inflammatory protein sources include lean poultry, fish and seafood (fatty fish offer protein as well as omega-3 fatty acids). Soy and soy foods such as tofu and tempeh, along with other legumes and nuts and seeds, can be used as plant-based protein sources. The best nuts are walnuts, almonds, pecans and Brazil nuts.

Beverages. Your body needs water. Drink tap, sparkling or bottled water, 100-percent fruit juices, herbal tea, low-sodium vegetable juice, and low- or non-fat milk are all healthful sources of water.

 

Foods To Avoid

Loading up on junk foods, high-fat meats, sugar, and highly processed foods (hot dogs & lunch meats, etc...) may increase the potential for inflammation in your body. Reduce your consumption of trans & saturates fats by cutting back on highly processed foods, red meats, and high-fat processed meats such as bacon & sausage. Cut back on refined white flours in bread and pasta (look for 100-percent whole grains instead). A small amount of sugar is OK, but cut down on most added sugars by decreasing your consumption of sugary sodas, pastries, candy, rich desserts, and pre-sweetened cereals.
 

Another possible source of irritation comes from the nightshade family of plants, which includes potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant. These vegetables contain a chemical alkaloid called solanine, which can trigger pain in some people. While there aren't any formal research findings that back the claim about nightshade plants, some people do believe they get relief from the symptoms of pain and inflammation when they eliminate them.

Anti-inflammatory Diet (not dieting) Tips

Choose fresh foods more often and choose fewer heavily processed foods. Here are some tips:

• For breakfast, try oatmeal served with fresh berries and walnuts.
• Snack on whole fruits, nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetables instead of cookies and candy.
• Eat more fish and less fatty red meat.
• Cook with olive oil and canola oil.
• Try a tofu stir-fry or scramble.
• Have a salad with lots of fresh vegetables as your meal.
• Stay away from deep-fried foods; bake, broil, poach or stir-fry instead.
• Choose dark green or brightly colored vegetables as side dishes -- they should fill half your dinner plate.

  
Afalfa sprouts is one item that people with lupus should avoid.  While eating alfalfa sprouts or the taking the alfalfa tablets, it has been reported that lupus-like symptoms or flares have occurred; such as muscle pain, fatigue, abnormal blood test results, changes in how the immune system functions, & kidney issues. These reactions may be due to the amino acid L-canavanine (found in alfalfa seeds and sprouts, but not in leaves), which can activate the immune system and increase inflammation.

If you plan to add any supplements or vitamins to your diet, please always check with your rheumatologist or your primary care physician. Although these supplements may seem harmless, there may be some drug interactions that you are unaware of. You may also check drug interactions through a website: http://www.drugs.com/. On this website, that I often use, there is a drug interaction checker. This website is not intended to replace your doctor by any means.

There had been some talk about whether aspartame was causing lupus-like symptoms or flares. After doing further research on this matter, it has been dis-proven that artificial sweetener, aspartame is causing these symptoms. "We are aware there is an email message circulating on the Internet warning individuals with lupus about dangers associated with using the artificial sweetener aspartame. The Lupus Foundation of America consulted with the chair of the LFA Medical Council, Evelyn Hess, MD, MACP, MACR. Dr. Hess is one of the nation's leading researchers in the field of lupus specializing in environmental influences. According to Dr. Hess, there is, as of now, no specific proof of an association with aspartame as a cause or worsening of SLE."

 Maintaining a healthy weight also appears to be helpful for reducing pain and inflammation.