Before reading this article, understand that consuming any particular food items cannot cause lupus and there are no specific food items that can help to cure lupus. But it is important to maintain a proper diet to meet your nutrient requirements and good body health is required to live through lupus.
In this article, we are discussing the importance of a healthy lupus diet and how it can help you live with lupus.
Importance Of A Healthy Lupus Diet
If you are suffering from lupus, you should have a well-balanced diet containing lots of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Moderate servings of meat, poultry, and oily fish should also be included. A healthy diet may help you to reduce the severity of lupus symptoms and inflammation. The diet plays an important role in maintaining strong muscles and bones, achieving a healthy body weight, and reducing the chance of heart disease. More importantly, lupus medications cause some side effects and may compromise your bone health. So to compensate for this problem, you require a good diet plan.
Now let us discuss the benefits you get by following a good diet.
Reduced Inflammation
Inflammation is one major problem associated with lupus. The fact is not proven, but foods that help with inflammation might also help to manage lupus symptoms. Normally, antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and vegetables can help to reduce inflammation. It is also advised by doctors to include fish or other food items rich in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet plan.
Counteracts Side Effects Of Medications
As we mentioned earlier, some lupus medications can severely reduce your bone strength and may lead to extreme conditions like osteoporosis. So, to counteract this bone weakening, you have to consume foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. Take care to buy fat-free or low-fat dairy products to meet your calcium requirements. Lactose intolerant people can use soy milk, almond milk, lactose-free milk, or juices rich in vitamin D and calcium instead of regular milk.
Counteracts Folic Acid Loss
Another medication used for lupus called methotrexate is a drug that makes your body unable to process folic acid. You may have to compensate for this shortage by consuming food items containing folic acid. You can consume food items like fortified cereals and bread, fruits, leafy green vegetables, etc to meet your daily folic acid requirements. If you are finding it difficult to meet this from food items, then you may use folic acid supplements with the knowledge of your doctor.