Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.
Elimination Diet
Work with a knowledgeable healthcare provider to see if food allergies are contributing to your condition.Elimination DietSpanish researchers discovered that people with SLE tend to have more allergies, including food allergies, than do healthy people or even people with other autoimmune diseases.38 While one study reported that drinking milk was associated with a decrease in SLE risk,39 other investigations point to both beef40 and dairy41 as foods that might trigger allergic reactions in some people with SLE. Casein, the main protein in cow’s milk, has immune-stimulating properties.42 This might explain why some people with SLE have been reported to be intolerant of milk products. Although there are several published case reports of patients with SLE showing clinical improvement after avoiding allergenic foods, additional research is needed to determine the importance of allergies as a cause of SLE. People with SLE who wish to explore whether allergies are contributing to their condition should consult a doctor.
Alfalfa Sprouts
Alfalfa seeds and sprouts contain the amino acid L-canavanine, which provokes a lupus-like condition in monkeys and possibly humans.Alfalfa SproutsAlfalfa seeds and sprouts contain the amino acid L-canavanine, which provokes a lupus-like condition in monkeys43 and possibly humans.44 For this reason, some doctors recommend that people with SLE should avoid these foods. Cooking alfalfa seeds has been reported to erase this effect.45
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and flaxseed, may decrease lupus-induced inflammation.Omega-3 Fatty AcidsFoods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and flaxseed, may decrease lupus-induced inflammation. In one preliminary trial, nine people with kidney damage due to SLE were fed increasing amounts of flaxseed for a total of 12 weeks.46 After examining the results, researchers concluded that 30 grams per day was the optimal intake for improving kidney function, decreasing inflammation, and reducing atherosclerotic development. Flaxseeds also contain antioxidants, potentially helpful to those with SLE.47
To date, all studies on fish oil have used supplements and not fish (see below). Nonetheless, many doctors recommend that SLE patients eat several servings of fatty fish each week.
Low-Fat
Some animal studies have suggested that eating fewer calories and less fat may help improve lupus.Low-FatAn isolated case of someone with SLE improving significantly after the introduction of a vegetarian diet has been reported.48 In Japan, women who frequently ate fatty meats, such as beef and pork, were reported to be at higher risk for SLE compared with women eating little of these foods.49 Consuming fewer calories, less fat, and foods low in phenylalanine and tyrosine (prevalent in high protein foods, such as meat and dairy) might be helpful, according to animal and preliminary human studies.50