Lupus is a chronic or long-lasting autoimmune disease, meaning it occurs when the immune system becomes overactive and mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs. The condition causes pain, inflammation, and swelling across the body, most commonly affecting the skin, joints, and internal organs like the heart and kidneys. Since inflammation plays a role in lupus, researchers believe that loading up on anti-inflammatory foods and eating a balanced meal can help manage the disease.
Accordingly, we’ve listed the top foods that can help manage lupus.
Foods to eat
Salmon
Salmon is a fatty fish and one of the best sources of two types of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Several studies have concluded that EPA and DHA can decrease inflammation that contributes to various diseases, including lupus. Omega-3s are healthy fats found in abundance in other fatty fish like sardines, tuna, herring, and mackerel. To derive maximum anti-inflammatory benefit from fatty fish, have them at least two times a week.
Chia seeds
These tiny seeds are loaded with plant-based omega-3 fatty acids called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, but it happens at a slow rate. Nevertheless, you can still get some anti-inflammatory benefits from consuming chia seeds every day by adding them to smoothies, salad dressings, baked goods, and more. Besides, they are great alternatives for those who don’t eat fish. Other ALA-rich plant sources include flaxseeds, walnuts, soybean oil, kidney beans, hemp seeds, and edamame.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a yellow spice that contains an active ingredient called curcumin. The compound has been proven to lower inflammation in the body, potentially benefiting those with lupus. Health experts recommend eating one to three grams of turmeric each day. A great thing about this spice is that it’s extremely versatile and can be incorporated into stir-fry dishes, vegetables, soups, stews, fish, chicken, and so much more.
Brown rice
Brown rice is a type of whole grain. Whole grains have all three parts of the grain—the bran, the germ, and the endosperm—intact, which makes them rich in fiber, B vitamins, vitamin E, selenium, magnesium, copper, and zinc. Studies show that eating lots of brown rice and other whole grains, such as quinoa, buckwheat, oatmeal, barley, and millet, can decrease multiple inflammatory markers in the body.
Spinach
Spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables on the planet. It’s especially good for those with lupus because of its rich calcium content. Lupus patients are at a greater risk of developing bone disorders such as osteoporosis and osteopenia, so eating lots of calcium, a bone-strengthening mineral, can help prevent these conditions. Additionally, spinach contains high levels of antioxidants that can help fight inflammation.
Yogurt
Yogurt contains probiotics. These healthy gut bacteria may ease symptoms in some people with lupus. Since it’s a dairy product, yogurt is also high in calcium, preventing the bones from becoming brittle and weak. When shopping for yogurt, it’s important to steer clear of full-fat, flavored varieties and look for low-fat or fat-free plain yogurt. This way, you can prevent cardiovascular problems and reduce the risk of inflammation.
Bone broth
Bone broth has been recognized for its many health benefits for centuries. It’s made by simmering the bones and connective tissue of animals, which makes it rich in nutrients like collagen, glutathione, and trace minerals. It can also reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation associated with lupus. You can make bone broth from any animal—chicken, fish, beef, turkey—and consume it daily.
Oranges
Oranges are full of vitamin C. This nutrient has potent antioxidant properties and can play a crucial role in fighting inflammation and easing lupus symptoms. If you don’t like oranges, consider adding other vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies, such as lemon, grapefruit, guava, kiwi, papaya, kale, and broccoli, to your meal plan.
Berries
These colorful fruits contain various antioxidants and polyphenols, a group of plant compounds with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming various types of berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and goji berries, can alleviate lupus symptoms and even prevent flare-ups. Berries are delicious, so you can eat them raw, add them to fruit salads, or top them on yogurt.
Eggs
Those with lupus should eat eggs daily. Eggs are packed with healthy proteins that bolster the immune system and support muscle and bone health. In addition, you can consume poultry meats, such as chicken, duck, turkey, and pheasant, and lean cuts of beef, lamb, and pork. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, opt for high-quality plant protein sources such as tofu, almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, brands, and peas.
In addition to eating these foods, doctors often recommend taking prescriptions to keep lupus symptoms in check. Read on to find info on lupus treatment options like Cortrophin Gel and others.
Cortrophin Gel
Recently, the FDA approved Cortrophin Gel (corticotropin) as a treatment option for lupus and other inflammatory diseases like arthritis, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis. It’s injectable and works by increasing the production of steroid hormones in the body, which helps lower inflammation. For more info on Controphin Gel for lupus treatment, visit Cortrophin’s official website.
Plaquenil
Plaquenil is hydroxychloroquine, which is primarily used to treat or prevent malaria. Since the medicine works by reducing protein in the blood that attacks healthy cells and tissues, it can help manage lupus in multiple ways, such as decreasing pain and inflammation, preventing flares, and easing lupus-related skin problems.
Rheumatrex®
Rheumatrex® (methotrexate) is an immunosuppressive treatment method that helps suppress the immune system, preventing it from attacking the healthy tissue in the body. In general, doctors prescribe immunosuppressive when an individual is experiencing serious lupus symptoms affecting the vital body organs.