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Lupus Diet ??

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Posted 5/21/2008 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
Is there a diet of should eat and should not eat for Lupus? If so where can I find it. Also so dose anyone use vitamins or minerals that help? What type of sunscreen do you use?

Thanks,Grammy

Posted 5/21/2008 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Grammy,
I am by no means an expert but from what I can tell after a couple of years of research, there is no real diet that has shown to make any difference in disease activity. If you look on the internet, there are TONS of dietary recommendations. My doctor does believe that decreasing the allergy load is helpful by eating a diet low in allergens (wheat, eggs, dairy, soy, corn.) I have stopped eating gluten to see if that helps since my celiac panel tests come back with a low positive and I haven't noticed a difference with my lupus symptoms, but my allergies are 95% better and no asthma this spring! Last spring I had to take a bunch of steroids and was using an inhaler frequently. i haven't even used my inhaler since I started so there is something to it.
There is some evidence that eating foods high in omega 3 fatty acids - or adding this to your diet is helpful for inflammation. I take fish oil every day. I don't know whether it is helping, but it is good for a number of other things, so I figure it can't hurt (my cholesterol levels are excellent!)
Posted 5/21/2008 11:50 AM (GMT 0)

An anti-inflammatory diet should help....as well as the Omega oils....and fish oils. 

Posted 5/21/2008 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely talk to your doctor, but I take Lovaza, which is prescription fish oil. I also take evening primrose oil, Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D because my body was deficient in those two vitamins. I also take a strong multivitamin daily.

I have been on a healthy eating diet since shortly after I was diagnosed and it's made a world of difference for me. I eliminated all gluten products, sugar, caffeine, and processed foods. I only eat "real" whole food. Each meal I have 3.5 oz of good quality protein (I had to experiment and keep a log of which proteins made me feel best, and for me they were fish, eggs, beef, and pork). I also eat 3 servings of vegetables (10-11oz) at each meal, along with 1-2 tablespoons of healthy fat (real butter, not margarine; canola oil; or olive oil). I have two glasses of whole milk a day, and usually I end up eating more fruit than I should, but it's better than eating junk food! I have felt fantastic for most of the 18 months I've been doing this, and lost 80 pounds. I used to have terrible acid reflux, out of control asthma, and I had insulin resistance. Those are gone, and except for the recent flare which was my own fault, I'm doing great!
Posted 5/21/2008 4:49 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks to everyone that have answered my questions. I will be passing the info on to my daughter.

Grammy4

Posted 5/21/2008 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
I also take the fish oil pills. Like Gloryroad said, I don't know if it's helping my lupus symptoms or not, but it can't hurt, and it's also good for cholesterol and heart health and other things.

Other than that, I just take a multi-vitamin and extra vitamin D (both on the advice of my doctor). Since we have to stay out of the sun, it's usually necessary to take a vitamin D supplement, and a lot of people also take calcium if they are on steroids.

Any and every drug or supplement, prescription or non-prescription, should be cleared by her doctor and written down on her list of medications in her chart since even some of the common over-the-counter meds can interact with some of the lupus medications. And some natural supplements can actually make lupus worse (like ones that boost the immune system).

For sunscreen, I use Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF 85 on my face under my makeup because it's non-greasy. Then I use the cheap No Ad kind on the rest of my body. I think it has 60 or 70 SPF. Some sources say sunscreens with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are better (but other sources say other things are better, so I don't know). Just make sure it is a wide spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVB and UVA rays. And the higher SPF the better, but never less than 30.
Posted 5/21/2008 5:47 PM (GMT 0)

The Zone diet put out a book on the Anti-Inflammation Zone that sounds almost exactly like the one above....I follow that and when not in a flare....feel pretty darned good.  This last one is probably because I slipped up and messed with what I was eating...it really makes a difference.

They do mention in the book about the inflammation factors with auto-immune problems, and especially Lupus and MS, ADHD, as well as Diabetes and Heart Disease. When you get into the science behind it, it makes a lot of sense.

The Essential Women (health food stores) is a great source of the Omega 3-6-9 oils..in liquid form.  Not the best tasting, but you get used to it quickly.  Liquid form gets into your system that much more quickly. 

I believe that lots of the viatmins and minerals are important too, but make sure to study up on the right ones, and go mostly organic if you can.  Same with foods....all natural/organic is absolute best. Expensive beyond belief, and I am not able to afford most right now...but, try hard to stick with that route!

Happy Eating all!!

Sunshine

Posted 6/8/2008 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, I want to know was it hard to change....My problem is that I work outside and I grab what I can sometimes. Ok, most of the times...Cutting out the salt hasn't been to bad, but I still run for the chips, popcorn and stuff.
Posted 6/8/2008 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
Brandichi,

The healthy diet/lifestyle you mention you have been on, giving you your marvelous results, is also very similar to an anti-fungal diet...that is, eliminating the foods that would feed a fungus, thereby starving it in your body. Dr. A.V. Constantini, formerly with the World Health Organization has researched and gone on record to say that he believes many of our health problems, including lupus, can be attributed to fungus. I'm not surprised that you are feeling so much better then. Have any others of you tried such a diet with the same positive results? I have a friend with lupus whom I'm trying to encourage to try a diet like this. I actually had UC for 8 years and such a diet helped me get well again. It's interesting to hear others' success stories.
Posted 6/9/2008 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
In addition to everything else that was said, I have read that for some people with lupus, nightshade plants can cause problems. Also I have been told to avoid sprouts, although I don't normally eat them anyway. Another topic that comes up sometimes are artificial sweetners that make a lot of us feel crummy, although not everyone with lupus reacts badly to it. It's worth looking into though.
Posted 6/9/2008 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
I have always been told to avoid sprouts & champagne. I have recently gone gluten free and I feel much better in many respects, but did experience a horrible malar rash a few days ago. I take B12 injections, rx VitD and am increasing foods containing VitK before deciding to also add VitK injections. I also use the neutrogena dry touch spray sunscreen.
Posted 6/13/2008 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
FOr me my diet has 100 percent affected me. I went on a nightshade free diet. SInce I started it ( it took maybe 4 weeks to start working-my body had to detox) all my symptoms are down 99 percent - 100 percent. I had every symptom you can think of. My doctor had it at about 46 symptoms last time I checked. Everything from wheezing, tightness of chest ,swollen joints, 3 different rashes, fatigue, weight gain ( 30 Lbs in 3 months) swelling,edema, pain pain and more pain.

My diet is 100 percent nightshade free. NO tomatoes , no potatoes, no tobacco, no red peppers, no eggplant, no legumes including no beans, no peas, no peanuts, no soy aka tofu, and then no sprouts/alfalfa.

I also do NOT eat chicken. Turkey is fine . CHicken-bad. Lean red meats are fine. Pork is fine. Fish is great. NO SHELLFISH also. I do sneak a shrimp every now and a gain but thats it. I never "sneak a nightshade cause one little taste and my body goes full flare ahead on me.

This really has worked for me and I hope it works for others. I did soooo much research to figure this out. spoke to tons of people with lupus, doctors, old chinese health gurus :), crazy health nut hippies aka my mom.


Another big thing for me is NO pre boxed, can , frozen anything! except ice cream :)

ANytime I had rice a roni...or soup from a can I would be sick. Everything fresh now. Since its summer it should be so easy! Tons of great fruits and veggies out there in season.

I also have been on a allergy med regimen. I take zrtec , alavert and claritin hives formula everyday.

hope you feel better soon :)
Posted 6/13/2008 7:51 PM (GMT 0)

SFnative82-Did you also eliminate or reduce grains (bread,pasta)? I'm wondering if it was the yeast in the canned/processed foods that bothered you. I cannot tolerate them either. Also, why do you not eat chicken? Interesting.....

I also agree that all processed foods are the bane of our foodstuffs. Glad you have gotten well. Keep spreading the good word :)

Kim

Posted 6/15/2008 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Yeast hasnt been a noticeable problem for me. My mom gets headaches/migraines from it though. For me I can eat cake, bread and pasta no problem. But since I am trying to keep of water weight from swelling I dont each much of them. Maybe if I did I would notice a problem. Just to be safe Im not going to go experimenting anytime soon :)

Chicken is a high inflammatory food, and everytime I eat it my tongue and lips turn to knots.Thats why I dont eat it.I am sure its different for everyone though.

I hope that diet works for someone:)

Posted 6/16/2008 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
Frank, there are lots of snacks and foods that you can take with you. Keep a can of almonds in your vehicle or office as a substitute for chips. Raisins, fruit, yogurt, a hard boiled egg, are all good snacks. One of my favorites is rice crackers with humus. You may have to keep an ice chest in your car if you work outside, but after you start feeling better with a change of diet, you'll find it's really worth the effort. Before I started the gluten-free diet, I thought it had to be absolutely impossible to give up bread, pasta, pies, cakes, and all the "good" things I love to eat. But after I started feeling so much better, I don't miss any of it. If you crave pasta, substitute rice pasta or gnocchi. We go out to brunch every Sunday and I order an omelette with green onions and spinach and a side of sliced tomatoes. It really is pretty good, and as others have mentioned, will help you lose weight if you need to.

Foods affect people in different ways. I'm able to eat legumes and make lentil or split pea soup frequently. I add veggies to the soups (carrots, onions, celery, spinach) and happen to love both soups. One of my favorite foods is a baked sweet potato with real butter.

The elimination diet is a good way to go. You start by eliminating everything but the kitchen sink and add foods slowly and carefully. Your body will tell you what it wants you to give up.
Posted 10/5/2010 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
I am sorry but i am doubtful about the diet but ya i can definitely guide you about the sunscreen you have to use for your skin.....go for organic sunscreen for your lupus....
Posted 10/8/2010 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Whatever is wrong with me, I find that smaller more frequent meals help a lot. Also my Naturalist suggested the Blood type diet. You can find out about it online and for those of you who don't your blood type you can order a kit from online for less than $10usd. I follow it quite well most of the time and I can tell it really helps with my energy levels but then I mess it up by craving sugar still. It is ok I will get it down to where I follow it like I should completely.
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