diet and lupus...does it work?

                       I have always tried to eat well and watch the calories, especially on prednisone. More and more I am running across how much nutrient dense foods can change people's lives and basically "cure" many diseases. One lupus patient wrote a book on how she cured herself with diet, avoiding dairy, nightshades, sugar, refined foods and eating a basically plant based organic diet (and avoided stress...important). Has anyone experienced a noticeable difference in their health, lupus symptoms by eating this way? I have tried juicing and smoothies with greens and nutrient dense foods, and besides the gas (from so much fiber!!), I felt better and lost some weight (toxins I suspect). Most conventional doctors poo poo the idea that food can heal, but more and more I think they realize food IS medicine. How many of you can relate to this? We talk a lot about drugs to treat, but what about foods? I think there IS more to it than we realize. If I eat too much sugar or dairy I pay with joint pain and fatigue. Maybe it's a coincidence but I believe we are what we eat. Does anybody follow a specific diet to help keep their lupus/RA in check? Depending on what you all experience, maybe there is a common thread that ties us to this disease with food choices.(I don't support stopping ANY meds, just being our own advocate and try other supports like high nutrition). Does anyone notice a difference in their symptoms from the foods you eat? I am really curious about this topic and believe it holds real truth! What say you??

Yes, sugar and carbs affect me too. I have a weakness for frozen yogurt and we have a new self serve place that has tons of toppings. Every time I go there I feel awful within hours! You would think I would learn!!!!

 I just wish doctors would realize how much food impacts disease. Too bad med school never really touched on this subject much, but I think more and more they are beginning to understand that food is not just our fuel but our medicine too. I see a D.O. now who specializes in rheumatology and his mom had lupus way back when so he grew up with that. He is more receptive to more than "band aid" medicine and the more I read the more I wish lupus patients would see for themselves that food IS medicine! I'm not trying to preach here, just want to put a bug in everyone's ear so they might get curious enough to look into this side of managing lupus, I want everybody to feel well !!! Gut health is especially important too, most of our immune system resides there so we need to keep that healthy. I take really good probiotics and TRY to eat as healthy as I can......easier said than done though, I have a sweet tooth and it is an addiction as we all know! )

I saw a Naturopath back in the late 90's and she had me on an eating program that was all organic, nothing with preservatives, chemicals or added colors or anything refined. No sugar, dairy, wheat, red meat and anything white (rice potatoes, etc). Lots of vegies and fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, certain supplements. In 3 months I lost 19 lbs and never felt better in my life. Most my labs went to basically normal range. It was really hard to eat this way (especially since my husband wouldn't)and little by little I fell off the wagon (vacations, etc and then we moved). But I know in my heart this is what I should do ALL the time. SO hard when we are bombarded with the American way of eating everywhere we turn! Please everyone who reads this, take a second and think about what you put in your body. We are worth it!!!

Joel Fuhrman has a book called "Eat to Live" that has changed many lives with diet. He has written many other books as well as be on PBS programs, advocating a plant based diet high in micro nutrients, the ones that rebuild healthy cells. I have seen him on other reputable shows and he has a very successful practice, does seminars, teaches other doctors about nutrition. When I follow his advice I feel like a new person, but it's not easy to do. I tend to have a sweet tooth and that is the worst for anyone's health!! Try some smoothies with greens (like kale and spinach, VERY high density nutrients) and they aren't bad if you add some fruits. I try to make one meal a day a huge salad with everything in the world in it. It's worth the trouble when you feel so much better afterwards. I will still allow myself the occasional burger and fries but I don't always feel very good after.....must be something to this healthy food thing, the body knows what it needs, only we don't always listen to it. Dr. Fuhrman treats many auto immune patients with huge success. Check it out. I will look at the website you suggested too. Eat to live, don't live to eat!