It may be difficult to believe that coffee may offer some health benefits beyond the buzz it brings, even for individuals with lupus. Coffee may help the immune system regulate more efficiently as well as help protect from tissue damage.
To this end, these studies have found that coffee intake can reduce the risk of Rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune thyroid disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, autoimmune liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Alcohol. While you do not have to stop drinking altogether, limiting alcoholic beverages will ensure that your medications work as they should. Alcohol interferes with some medications, including popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) like ibuprofen and naproxen.
Foods to consider avoiding
Evidence suggests that eating a whole foods diet that limits added sugar and saturated fat can reduce inflammation. A 2020 review also indicates that consuming sugar may negatively affect SLE. Therefore, limiting high fat and high sugar foods may be beneficial for lupus symptoms.
While the environmental elements that can trigger lupus and cause flares aren't fully known, the most commonly cited are ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB); infections (including the effects of the Epstein-Barr virus), and exposure to silica dust in agricultural or industrial settings.
Protein should be reduced to just 6 to 8 oz/day, sodium should be limited to 2-3 g/day, and potassium should be reduced to 2000mg/day. Foods that are high in potassium include bananas, oranges, dairy, cheese, legumes, and chocolate. Additionally, phosphorus in the diet should also be reduced.
People with lupus tend to suffer from recurring infections, so it's important to add lots of fresh fruits like blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, cherries, oranges and pineapples into your lupus diet. Fruits that are rich in antioxidants can strengthen your immune system and help your body fight off the harmful ...
The sun is the main source of ultraviolet light and is enemy no. 1 for patients with lupus, because it can trigger the disease or trigger flares at any time in its development.
Chocolate and cocoa products may help reduce inflammation, which may benefit people with autoimmune conditions such as lupus.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables — try to make half your plate fruits and veggies. Choose whole grains — like whole-wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, and brown rice. Get a mix of healthy proteins — like lean meats, poultry, seafood, beans, nuts, and eggs.
Foods that contain unsaturated fats include; nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, avocado oil, peanut oil and vegetable oil. It is important to understand that these fats are still high in calories - therefore, portions should be monitored. These fats, however, are preferred over saturated fats.
The first thing to consider if you have autoimmune issues, is that coffee is a seed. If you are following a strict Autoimmune Protocol, seeds are cut out of the diet for a period of time, and then reintroduced. Therefore, you would want to remove coffee for the first few weeks, along with any other seeds.
Recent research shows that several forms of autoimmune disease are linked to coffee consumption. But the truth of the matter is, it's not just the coffee. It is how it's made, how it's grown, how it's served, what it is served in, and how much of it you choose to drink.
While all coffee contains anti-inflammatory properties, whether or not it affects the inflammatory response can depend on the concentration of caffeine, how your body reacts to it, your genetics, and your age. Some evidence suggests that coffee may increase inflammation in some people.
Foods High in Omega-3s
These foods are known to decrease inflammation as well as improve mood and cardiovascular health. Examples include: Fatty fish, such as mackerel, salmon, oysters, sardines, shrimp, and trout. Seaweed and algae.
Some say that nightshade vegetables like eggplant, potatoes and tomatoes can be detrimental, however, there is no research to suggest avoiding them unless you find they impact you personally. An elimination diet can help you uncover the foods that may be your individual lupus triggers.
Kidneys About one half of people with lupus experience kidney involvement, and the kidney has become the most extensively studied organ affected by lupus. Lungs About 50% of people with SLE will experience lung involvement during the course of their disease.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs are used to reduce inflammation, pain and fever associated with lupus. They include over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (for example, Nurofen®), or prescription medications such as Voltaren® Celebrex® and Orudis®.
Sjogren's syndrome is a relatively common disease, although often under-diagnosed. Sjogren's syndrome can occur alone or in association with other autoimmune diseases, most commonly lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Lupus and Summer Weather
Sun and heat exposure can cause symptoms to flare up because when UVA or UVB rays hit the skin, inflammation in the cells naturally occurs and often sets off a chain reaction of other symptoms.