What is Lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune condition that can impact every system in the body. This occurs when our body begins confusing our own healthy tissues for foreign invaders, and activates our immune system to go on the attack.
Lupus and Inflammation
The immune system is continuously scanning our body for any signs of unusual activity. As soon as an injury or pathogen is identified, the immune system takes action by stimulating an inflammatory response. This enables the body to target and isolate an affected area in the body to fight off harmful chemicals and repair any damage that took place. Simply put, we could not survive without the ability to produce an inflammatory response.
Under normal circumstances, the body stops producing an inflammatory response after it has healed properly. Unfortunately, in those with lupus, the immune system becomes dysregulated. This leads to chronic inflammation, with the immune system attacking its own healthy tissue.
Who is at risk?
Both men and women may develop Lupus, though 9 out of 10 diagnoses occur among women. The etiology behind Lupus remains unknown. However, experts believe that a combination of genetic predisposition, combined with an environmental trigger is responsible. Because women are so much more likely to develop this condition, researchers also theorize a hormonal component may contribute to the development of lupus.
What causes flare-ups?
There is no cure for Lupus once it develops. With that said, patients may spend extended periods of time in remission, meaning they are symptom free. Unfortunately, people may also experience flare ups throughout their life. A variety of factors may contribute to increased disease activity, including:
- Emotional stress
- Physical stress
- UV rays
- Poor sleep quality
Foods to avoid when living with Lupus
Currently, a variety of special diets are claimed to help people with Lupus. However, researchers have yet to prove specific nutritional protocols minimize flare up risk. With that said, a handful of key foods are linked to increased flare ups, due to their stimulatory effects on the immune system.
1. Alfalfa
This fiber-rich plant is frequently added to salads, sandwiches, and powdered greens drinks. Alfalfa slows the absorption of glucose in the intestines. As a result, it has become increasingly popular for people with prediabetes or diabetes to help control their blood sugar levels.
However, the Lupus Foundation of America, recommends avoiding consuming alfalfa completely for those with the disease. That’s because alfalfa sprouts contain an amino acid called L-canavanine. This stimulates the immune system, and is linked with triggering flare ups.
2. Nightshade vegetables
Nightshades are a nutritious group of vegetables including white potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, cayenne pepper and paprika. These foods have created quite a stir in terms of whether it should be eliminated from the diet for those with lupus. Some believe that a compound found in these vegetables, called solanine, may stimulate an inflammatory response in the body, thus increasing arthritic pain and lupus symptoms.
It’s important to note that this is based on people’s personal experience, and has yet to be supported by scientific evidence.
However, lupus is a unique disease that looks different between individuals. This means you may find specific foods trigger you, without causing any challenges for others with lupus. If you feel nightshades may be contributing to your lupus symptoms, an elimination diet can help you uncover which foods are affecting you. We recommend working with a Dietician or Certified Nutritionist to safely accomplish this.
3. Garlic
This delicious herb is incorporated into so many meals to help enhance flavor. People often supplement with garlic as a preventative during flu season, or to keep bugs at bay.
However, garlic contains a variety of compounds such as allicin, ajoene, and thiosulfinates that stimulate the production of white blood cells. This is what helps healthy people ward off infection. However, lupus causes a hyperactive immune system, leading some experts to recommend avoiding garlic to minimize flare ups. With that said, moderate garlic intake likely won’t contribute to increased immune activation.
4. Processed foods
Most of us enjoy indulging in occasional processed foods. Highly processed foods tend to be low in nutritional value, and high in preservatives, such as sugar and salt. With that said, moderation is key when enjoying these types of treats.
Unfortunately, for those with lupus, processed foods may be quite triggering when consumed in excess. Not only are these foods pro-inflammatory, but the salt content may increase water retention and edema, especially when also taking corticosteroids to manage disease activity.
The anti-inflammatory diet
Though it’s true that no cookie cutter nutrition protocol exists for lupus patients to follow, it’s important to consider reducing intake of pro-inflammatory foods.
Eating anti-inflammatory foods help support the body in a variety of ways. For example, these foods provide an abundance of important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients, thereby enhancing our ability to fight infection, minimize chronic pain and inflammation, and optimize your metabolism. In addition, when we are experiencing elevated levels of inflammation in our body, it’s important to take precautionary measures to minimize any foods that will contribute to that inflammatory cycle.
Take away
If you struggle with Lupus, you are not alone. I’ve been living with this condition for 15 years, and understand just how challenging managing disease activity can be. Nutrition played a key role in returning me to health, and I have remained in remission for 11 years through my holistic approach.
If you are concerned you may have lupus, or chronic inflammation in your body, consider taking a simple test to determine if your inflammation levels are elevated. If you are interested in finding out how nutrition may help improve your quality of life, contact us for your complimentary consultation to learn more.