Foods To Avoid When You Have Lupus

Foods To Avoid When You Have Lupus – The chronic autoimmune disease lupus is very mysterious. It can affect anyone at any time (although it is most common in women of childbearing age). Its cause is unknown. And while lupus symptoms can vary depending on where they occur in the body and how severe they are, they can come and go without warning.

If you’re one of the 5 million people worldwide living with lupus, you’ve probably worked with your doctor to determine which medications and lifestyle changes can help keep your symptoms in check for as long as possible and induce remission. Your lupus diet, while not a cure, can help you achieve these goals.

Foods To Avoid When You Have Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. This reaction can cause inflammation throughout the body, including the blood vessels, heart, skin, kidneys, joints, lungs, and brain. The resulting symptoms of lupus can include joint pain, a red rash, sensitivity to the sun, swollen glands, and more.

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For long-term inflammation, your diet can also help. “We can try to reduce inflammation with diet,” says Sotiria Everett, EdD, RD, CDN, CSSD, clinical assistant professor at Stony Brook Medicine.

Not at all. Experts suggest that if you have lupus, an anti-inflammatory diet may help reduce flare-ups.

“In either case, you can increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, omega-3s, and healthy fats, and decrease your intake of pro-inflammatory foods such as foods high in saturated fat, fatty meats, processed foods, and excess sugar. is a useful approach,” says Everett.

During a lupus outbreak, anti-inflammatory drugs are still important. However, your nutrient requirements may be higher. It’s important to make sure you’re getting enough calories and lean protein during this time, Everett says. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about what this might look like for you. Eating foods such as fish, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, and eggs can be beneficial.

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You may also develop new eating problems due to medications your doctor has prescribed. Corticosteroids, for example, can cause weight gain and high blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor and dietitian about the possible side effects of any medications you are taking and how adjusting your diet can help.

There are some foods that can cause flare-ups in people with lupus, but research on this is lacking. Many recommendations are based on small studies or individual reports. Do not make major changes to your diet without first consulting your doctor.

Alfalfa sprouts: Some animal studies have linked alfalfa sprouts to worsening lupus due to a compound called L-canavanin, which can boost the immune system. As a result, many doctors recommend that people with lupus stay away from alfalfa sprouts in salad bars, sandwiches, and wherever they can be found.

Garlic. Garlic is another food that some experts recommend staying away from if you have lupus. St. John’s wort contains compounds that boost the immune system and can cause an adverse reaction in people with lupus who already have an overactive immune system.

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Leafy vegetables: Because lupus is a very individual disease, you may also find that certain foods can cause symptoms while other people with lupus may eat them without a problem. Some report that nightshade vegetables like eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes can be harmful, but there are no studies suggesting avoiding them unless you find they affect you personally.

An elimination diet can help you identify foods that may be your individual lupus triggers; work with a nutritionist to make it safe.

Fish: The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, found in oily fish like salmon and mackerel, can keep inflammation down in several different ways. Unfortunately, the typical American diet is severely lacking in omega-3s. Eating oily fish at least twice a week can help you get plenty of anti-inflammatory fats in your diet.

Walnuts, flax seeds, canola oil: These foods contain the vegetarian form of omega-3 fatty acids known as ALA. While your body converts ALA to EPA and DHA at a relatively slow rate, you may still get some benefit from these foods, especially if you don’t eat fish. If you don’t eat fish at all due to allergies or are a vegetarian, you might also want to consider an algae-based omega-3 supplement, says Everett.

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Fruits and vegetables. Colorful foods like spinach, kale, blueberries and oranges contain antioxidants and polyphenols, natural plant compounds that help fight inflammation. Try to eat at least five servings a day and try to include a variety of foods in your diet.

Whole Grains: Grains are made up of three parts: bran, germ, and endosperm. Unfortunately, many of the carbohydrates we eat are made from grains that lack the nutritional bran and germ. Research has linked high consumption of refined grains to higher levels of inflammatory markers in the body. Instead, focus on foods like brown rice, quinoa, and whole grain bread, which are good sources of fiber and antioxidants.

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Lupus Diagnosis And Treatment

A new study shows that less than half of patients with chronic diseases are satisfied with their health. Zoe Rothblatt Read more. In lupus, the immune system attacks healthy cells anywhere in the body. When lupus affects the kidneys, it is called lupus nephritis. The kidneys are the main filtering system in the body, so your diet directly affects the health of your kidneys. Your kidneys are responsible for regulating blood electrolytes, processing proteins, and eliminating toxins.

People with lupus nephritis must be especially careful with what they eat and drink to avoid further kidney damage and other complications. The severity of your condition will determine how strictly you must follow the diet.

The five tips below are based on two main types of foods to eat more of and three foods to avoid if you are living with lupus nephritis. You will also find guidance on other dietary considerations when managing life with this disease.

Learning what foods to eat and what to avoid for lupus nephritis can be overwhelming at first. But with the support of your nephrologist, dietitian nutritionist, or other kidney health professional, you’ll be well on your way to understanding which diet best suits your needs.

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Kidney failure seems to limit the variety of foods you can eat. Adding heart-healthy unsaturated fats to your meals and snacks is a good way to control calories and maintain a healthy weight. In particular, anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for autoimmune diseases as they promote healthy immune function. You can get omega-3s from plant sources, such as nuts and seeds, and from animal sources, including sardines, salmon, and other oily fish.

Researchers have found that flaxseed provides a protective effect against lupus nephritis. For example, it can retain protein in the urine (called proteinuria) and maintain the glomerular filtration rate, which is a key indicator of kidney disease. Flax seeds can be added to muesli, cereal, yogurt, baked goods, or smoothies. The fiber in flax seeds can make them difficult to digest, so you may want to grind them to get the most benefit.

Fruits and vegetables are essential for good health. Many fruits and vegetables contain the nutrient potassium, which helps maintain cellular fluid levels. Unfortunately, too much potassium can be dangerous if your kidneys aren’t working at full capacity. Choosing low-potassium options will give you vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber while protecting your kidneys.

Spreading your intake throughout the day will give your kidneys more time to process potassium from food, so your blood levels will drop. It is important to remember that whole grains, beans, and legumes also contain potassium, so you need to consider your total potassium intake from different sources.

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Healthy fat sources like avocados and nuts are high in potassium, so check with your doctor about specific potassium limits to determine the right serving size for you.

Sodium can cause high blood pressure and put extra stress on the kidneys. Reducing your sodium intake is one of the most important dietary changes you need to make to protect kidney function.

Restaurant meals and takeaways usually contain more sodium than you add when you cook your own. Check the menu ahead of time to see if there are low-sodium options, or ask your waiter if the food can be prepared with as little salt as possible.

Your doctor may advise you to reduce your protein intake from meat and dairy products to minimize the burden on your kidneys. Depending on the state of your kidney function, you may not need to completely eliminate these foods from your diet. However, choosing smaller portions will allow you to enjoy your favorite meals and

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