Dietary suggestions for Lupus: Foods to include and those to avoid
Lupus, a long-term autoimmune disease affecting millions worldwide, requires careful management to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. While the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) does not recommend a specific diet for people with lupus, research suggests that certain diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, may be beneficial.
The Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and fish, is believed to help reduce inflammation and cardiovascular risk in people with lupus. This diet may also help manage medication side effects, such as nausea and high blood pressure. To help manage blood pressure, people should include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, skinless poultry and fish, low-fat dairy products, and non-tropical vegetable oils in their diet.
Limiting high-fat and high-sugar foods may ease lupus symptoms. Processed meats, sweets, and sugary drinks should be reduced to maintain a balanced diet. A well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet including whole grains, lean protein, and plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables supports immune function, energy levels, and overall health, which is important in managing fatigue and symptoms.
Certain foods can help manage medication side effects in people with lupus. For nausea, a person can try eating bananas, rice, applesauce, or toast. To combat folic acid loss from methotrexate, a person can consider spinach, beef liver, or avocado.
Foods that should be limited or avoided due to lupus or its management include alfalfa sprouts, which may trigger lupus flares by increasing inflammation, alcohol, which can interact adversely with lupus medications and may increase inflammation, foods high in salt and cholesterol, and pro-inflammatory foods such as sugary drinks, refined carbohydrates, fried foods, processed foods, added sugars, and salty snacks.
Following an anti-inflammatory diet or the Mediterranean diet is often recommended to promote symptom management and support general well-being in lupus patients. These diets are rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients and antioxidants, such as omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, selenium-rich foods, and fruits and vegetables high in Vitamin C, lycopene, and magnesium.
In summary, the focus is on a diet rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients and antioxidants while avoiding foods that may promote inflammation or interfere with medication. Maintaining balanced nutrition can help reduce lupus symptoms, improve quality of life, and potentially decrease the frequency of disease flares. It is always recommended to consult a doctor or dietitian to find out what foods may trigger symptoms and help plan meals.
- The ACR does not suggest a specific type of diet for people with lupus, but research indicates that the Mediterranean diet could be advantageous due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- People with lupus might find relief from depression and weight loss by adhering to a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, which potentially decreases inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
- Copd, diabetes, obesity, and hepatitis are medical conditions that might be impacted by eating a well-balanced and nutrient-dry diet.
- Science suggests that eating a healthy diet, including plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats, supports overall health and wellness.
- People with lupus should limit consumption of high-fat, high-sugar foods to ease their symptoms and promote a balanced diet.
- Foods to avoid due to lupus can include alfalfa sprouts, alcohol, foods high in salt and cholesterol, pro-inflammatory foods, and foods that may interact adversely with lupus medications.
- To manage medication side effects in people with lupus, eating bananas, rice, applesauce, or toast can help alleviate nausea, while spinach, beef liver, or avocado could help combat folic acid loss from methotrexate.
- A diet rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients and antioxidants, such as omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, Vitamin C, lycopene, and magnesium, can help predict and manage lupus symptoms, reduce disease flares, and improve quality of life.
- Following a diet beneficial for lupus management, whether it be an anti-inflammatory diet or the Mediterranean diet, requires the guidance of a medical professional or dietitian to identify foods that may trigger symptoms and plan meals accordingly.
