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This month's article is written by Shar Phoenix.
If you know anyone who would like to receive this
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Lupus and Healthy
Living
Those of us with Lupus and it's related syndromes
are in a quandary when it comes to defining and fulfilling our dietary
needs. Although there are reams of research, much of it tends to
be basic, repetitive and outdated. The suggestions in this article
are derived by cross- referencing the most current research regarding
Lupus chemical and dietary sensitivities and needs, combined with
the practical experience of those who are living long and well with
Lupus. Please share this article with your doctor so that you can
work together for your best wellbeing.
Allergies and increased sensitivity to chemically
enhanced foods or products is typical in Lupus but since the symptoms
are often similar, doctors can't always easily differentiate between
them. Lupus may also carry increased risk of early and severe heart
disease. With our individually unique immune responses, it's very
important that we pay close attention to our bodies' specific reactions
to foods and supplements, removing or reducing those that affect
us negatively. In a notebook or a journal, we can keep track of
the foods we eat, the condiments we use, any prescription or non-
prescription medications and homeopathics. If we record the times
and amounts or dosages, our bodily responses will help us identify
the villains and give them the heave-ho. These notes are valuable
tools for our doctors so should be included in our medical records.
Because sunlight, halogen and fluorescent lighting
magnify Lupus symptoms and speed disease progression, we must be
extremely cautious concerning exposure. We can slather on hypoallergenic
30 plus sunscreen, do head wraps with exotic scarves, toss on floppy
brimmed hats, don Ray Charles style shades and slink out like Garbo,
in an aura of mystery.
We can also reinforce our diets with extra calcium
and vitamin D, vital sun supplied nutrients we're likely to be low
because of the precautions taken for our hyperphotosensitivity.
In addition, Lupus itself and our steroid medications plunder our
bones and bodies of calcium, other minerals and vitamins, making
us vulnerable to early osteoporosis. Calcium supplements with vitamin
D and magnesium added can enable our bones to absorb the calcium
we ingest more effectively. the magnesium aids calcium to clear
our kidneys with less residual effect. To protect our kidneys even
more, we need to drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday and
urinate every 3 or 4 hours. Emptying and refueling in this way helps
us to wash out bacteria and toxins, easing the strain on our system.
Magnesium has the added benefit of dissolving painful calcium deposits
in joints and minimizing the risk of gallstones.
Steroids, besides stripping us of nutrients, contribute
to Lupus swelling and can generate ravenous hunger ~ a triple whammy
making a balanced diet more difficult to achieve. We may wrestle
with guilt and adopt fad diets, doing ourselves more harm than good
as the American Institute for Cancer Research shows at http://www.aicr.org/faddiets.htm
Perversely, our Lupus doesn't always allow us to eat
well or sometimes at all so we may need to stimulate our appetites.
Taking a B complex supplement in the mornings, perhaps with crackers
and juice, will usually initiate production of gastric juices. Experimenting
with spices in our favorite foods while the rich aroma wafts through
the air may arouse sluggish digestion and reinvigorate appetite.
Pressure cookers or crockpots slowly stew foods in their natural
juices, breaking down plant or meat fibers, fully releasing lush
flavors and the nutritive enzymes which aid us in assimilating food.
To minimize that steroid "cushinoid" look we all love
to hate, we can try taking the daily dose before 8 a.m. or with
split dosage, the first dose before 8a.m. and the second dose before
4 p.m. While we are taking steroids, 1500 to 2000 milligrams of
calcium and 800 international units of vitamin D daily are advisable
for nutrient replacement.
Research studies show that women who drink cranberry
juice regularly have a marked reduction in bladder and kidney infections.
That dramatic decline in bacterial levels also seems to reduce fungal/yeast
infections For best effect and aid in digestion, we can drink a
few ounces of cranberry juice with each meal. Male or female, our
internal plumbing is equally inviting to bacteria so the benefits
of cranberry juice apply to men too. For the research, visit http://www.jr2..ox.ac.uk/bandolier/band6/b6-3.html
Vitamin C is an essential systemic building block
and critical for anyone with autoimmune dysfunction. For some reason,
humans and guinea pigs alone among animals do not naturally produce
Vitamin C. Investigate the benefits at http://hepatitis- central.com/hcv/herbs/vitaminc.html
Overall, we who live with Lupus and/or FM or other
related syndromes, benefit most from a high fiber diet, with fats
reduced to 30% of our daily calories. This can be partly achieved
by slashing our intake of saturated and omega-6 polyunsaturated
fatty acids. Eliminating or drastically slashing the amount of dairy
products and red or game meat in our diets while increasing our
intake of immune supportive fruits and vegetables has proven to
be a healthy choice for many of us. The primary cow's milk protein,
Casein, activates the immune system, while dairy products and beef
are indicated as triggers for SLE onset and flare. Acidophilus is
a healthy substitute for dairy milk, especially for those with autoimmune
diseases, while sherbets and ices are as tasty as ice cream
A recent study among Japanese women demonstrated that
those whose diets were dependent on fatty meat such as pork and
beef were more susceptible to SLE than those who followed a lean
diet. A diet much more fruit and vegetable than meat and dairy based,
with only lean meats such as turkey, chicken or fish is preferable
for those with autoimmune illnesses. Free range is healthiest, since
factory bred fowl, like cattle, are fed hormones and antibiotics
which might affect us adversely. Cured meats such as "hot dogs"
are considered to instigate flare. Meat fats are larded with concentrations
of prostaglandins which increase inflammation and blood clotting.
Fish oils that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such
as tuna, whitefish, herring, anchovies, salmon and mackerel have
strong anti- inflammatory properties and may well reduce our symptoms.
The omega-3 fatty acid called DHA is found in breast milk and throughout
the brain. It's essential to membrane production and the myelin
which covers neural fibers. As DHA expedites cellular communication
and works to help regulate mood and memory, it may lessen our brainfog
and sharpen our wits. DHA is even reported to reverse Cystic Fibrosis
symptoms in animals. A visit to http://www.altnewtimes.com/e03cho.html
should spark a few neurons in itself.
Still, it's vital to remember that not all that goes
swimingly for fish is good for us. For example, zinc, which enriches
meat and shellfish, especially oysters, enhances immune response
and could stimulate increased Lupus activity. Zinc is another essential
nutrient, fortunately found in reasonable amounts in many other
foods
Eating fish 3 or 4 times a week supplies sufficient
omega-3 fatty acids for most people but those of us with immunity
impairment need as much as 6 or 7 servings weekly to meet our nutritional
needs. If fish isn't a part of your diet, you can try taking fish
oil capsules, sometimes called EPA/DHA after the names of the fatty
acids. A lowfat diet without fish would be properly supplemented
in the average person by taking 8 to 10 capsules a day. Without
making dietary alterations and still not eating fish, it would require
approximately 12 to 18 capsules daily to supply those essential
nutrients.
Olive oil, flaxseed oil, canola oil and to some extent,
evening primrose oil, have plentiful omaga-3 fatty acids. Flaxseeds
also contain antioxidants. Primrose oil, though, and corn, sunflower,
safflower and poppy seed oils have omega-6 fatty acids which, in
excess, can be troublesome to the immune system and intensify our
symptoms.
In one study, nine people with SLE caused kidney impairment
were fed increasing amounts of flaxseed over twelve weeks. At the
end of that trial, the researchers determined that to best improve
kidney function, decrease inflammation and reduce hardening of the
arteries, as much as 30 grams of flaxseed per day was advisable.
Other than a full flaxseed diet, naturally grown,
chemically free fruits and vegetables are very healthy but "Organically
Grown" needn't mean buggy; our peas shouldn't be crawling off the
plate. If you prefer or can only find produce from chemically controlled
farms or orchards, you might dip it in a weak solution of two drops
of dish soap to a gallon of water, rinsing in an equal amount of
water with 1/4 cup of plain white vinegar, then a last rinse in
plain water. This should remove or at least weaken pesticides. You
might not be able to see your gleaming refection in an apple anymore
but your digestive tract will be very grateful.
According to the October 2000 issue of the Journal
of Renal Nutrition alfalfa may exacerbate Lupus. Alfalfa sprouts,
tea, supplements and seeds contain a compound called L-canavanine
which triggers a Lupuslike illness in monkeys. L-canavanine and
arginine, both in alfalfa, overstimulate the immune system, triggering
flares.
Beans and mushrooms contain amine compounds and hydrazines
that might intensify our symptoms. Replacing or reducing tobacco,
meat, dairy, salt, white sugar, white flour, alcohol, soft drinks
can do a great deal to enable our bodies to better absorb and utilize
the nutrients we take in. Spore produced or yeast forming foods
such as loaf bread, corn and mushrooms also tend to "colonize" our
intestinal flora. Versatile flatbreads such as tortillas, pitas,
manna or matzos, giros, rice-flour wraps, crepes and more are healthier
and delicious.
Nightshade plants contain solanine, which increases
joint pains and may spark flares. Eggplant, white potato, tomato,
tobacco, and all peppers, except for black pepper, are genus nightshade.
Black pepper is unwise for anyone with kidney problems but Capsacin,
which is made from cayenne peppers is a topical pain reliever used
by some with Lupus. You can check it out at http://adultpain.nursing.uiowa.edu/Topicals/CAPSAIte.htm
and visit http://webmd.lycos.com/question_and_answer/article/1668.50111
for information on Capsacin for pain relief and more.
Kale, cantaloupes, carrots, bananas, broccoli, cranberries,
asparagus, papaya, artichokes, honeydew melon, brown rice, apricots,
strawberries, blueberries, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cucumbers,
and so many more delicious choices are available to us. With a little
creative cookery, we can balance our ratio of proteins to carbohydrates
and cooked to raw foods with tasty and healthy results. VegSource.com,
one of the web's most popular and comprehensive vegetarian sites,
has over 1000 recipes at http://www.vegsource.com/klaper/diet.htm
Lemons and Limes neutralize intestinal acids, balancing
systemic PH, while pineapple, oranges, grapes, tomatos and grapefruit
contribute to intestinal acids. Asparagus neutralizes these acids
with it's natural ammonia, helping to detoxify the internal system.
As a naturally gentle diuretic, it's protective of our bodies' plumbing.
For more information on balancing alkaline and acidic foods, visit
http://wellnessguru.com/wellness_candida-3.htm
Soy, uniquely among plant foods, contains all the
amino acids needed by the human body and is a great source of protein.
Soy also has high levels of the natural plant hormones, isoflavones,
which act to mimic estrogen or counteract it. If the soy isoflavanones
enter breast cells of pre-menopausal women, they can block estrogen
and may lower the risk of breast cancer. However, in post-menopausal
women, they may actually stimulate tumor growth. If you're under
treatment for a thyroid condition, soy isoflavanones may interfere
with absorbtion of your medication. Because soy heightens immune
response it may provoke flaring symptoms. Your doctor should know
if and how much soy you consume so that your medication can be adjusted
if necessary. For data on the effects of soy and more, just visit
http://thyroid.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_Prevent_Thyroid_Disease0962932
956.htm at About.com
Those with Lupus and/or FM, Colitis, Crohn's, Ulcerative
Colitis, wheat or gluten intolerance or any chronic digestive disturbance
have added and specific dietary needs. Samantha Grey, a freelance
writer whose husband has Crohn's Disease, addresses these gentler
dietary requirements at http://www.healingwell.com/library/ibd/gray1.htm
The Gluten-free Pantry at http://www.glutenfree.com/celiac.htm is
a great site for those with wheat allergies or sensitivities.
Peppermint leaves, whether in salad or steeped for
tea, are anti- bacterial, easing nausea and stirring bile production
to enhance appetite. Peppermint is very helpful with IBS, colitis
and related disorders. One or two digestive enzyme tablets, made
of the bromelain and papain found in pineapple and papaya, chewed
with or at the end of each meal, will expedite digestion and facilitate
sugar, starch and protein absorbtion. This will make meals and the
hours after more comfy plus give us greater benefit from the food
we eat. For additional information, please read the excerpted article
at http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/g2603/0003/2603000328/p1/article.jh
tml and ask your library for a copy of the Gale Encyclopedia of
Alternative Medicine 2001.
Aspartame, a common ingredient in many popular food
products, is reported to mimic or accelerate symptoms of Lupus,
Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Diabetes, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Alzheimer's',
Multiple Sclerosis, Panic Disorder, Depression, Multiple Chemical
Sensitivity and a host of other illnesses. Check out http://www.holisticmed.com/neotame/
for a generic list of products containing aspartame and more. Then,
you might visit http://www.dorway.com/test.txt and try the 60-day
no aspartame test.
In recent lab tests of Echinacea products, only 14
out of 25 were found acceptable for consumption. The others had
inaccurate or misleading labels, were below claimed dosage or were
unsafe due to contaminants. ConsumerLab.com posts independent test
results and related data to help consumers and healthcare professionals
evaluate health, wellness, and nutrition products.Visit http://www.consumerlab.com/results/echinacea.asp
for a list of the safest brands. Echinacea enchances immune function
as does it's more powerful cousin, Golden Seal. Both may induce
a feeling of wellbeing at first but both, and especially the Golden
Seal, can stimulate Lupus into increased activity. We might be able
to get away with using Echinacea for less than a week at a time,
to fight off a cold or flu but longer or regular use may be dangerous.
In the USA, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness
Month but we all know that illness is cetainly no respecter of borders
Please, schedule a mammogram for yourself, encourage the women in
your life to do so and remind your friends. You may just save a
very valuable life, maybe even your own.
Written and copyrighted by Shar Phoenix
[email protected]
http://www.uklupus.co.uk/bnews.html
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