Garlic and Autoimmune

[Thick_Blood]

I have antiphospho lipid antibody syndrome (CAPS) and a very high intolerance for Garlic, within 20 minutes of ingesting garlic I start vomiting and my intestines blow up like balloons and I have extreme pain.

My daughter who has lupus was told by her doctor not to eat Garlic as it activates an immune response in someone who already has an overactive immune system. There are a number of articles on this. I picked this one to share:

hopkinslupus.org/lupus-info...

Do you have issues with Garlic?

[GinaD]

Garlic has never bothered me, but for years I did not make the connection between alfalfa sprouts and flairs! By the way, I have never been officially diagnosed with lupus. I do have an APzs diagnosis, but all my symptoms ( and positive blood results) disappeared when I went gluten free back in 2004.

[Jianna35]

I eat garlic every day, but my garlic is home grown or fermented in raw honey, usually the black aged garlic. I don't buy chinese garlic as that is often grown on sewage.

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

it is possible you are experiencing Mast cell activation syndrome. ( often abbreviated MCAS.)

It’s not all that uncommon in APS patients according to my APS specialist rheumatologist.

It has to do with “amines” , for example , histamine ( hist-“amine”) becoming innaproprialy over alerted to attack a perceive threat, ( such as garlic) when it’s not actually a threat.

There are other compounds that just “amines” - so you would need to see an immunologist/ specialist in MCAS.

Migraines, GI upset, skin rashes, and respiratory / sinus problems are the 4 reactive systems. ( extreme respiratory would be anaphylaxis.)

Histamine blockers can be added, but usually an understand of foods and tolerances is key.

Again- all this to say, only your doctor would know or be able to advise you here. I just wanted you to be aware that it’s a possibility only, and you might want to ask.

[MaryF Administrator in reply to KellyInTexas]

I do agree with this reply... I also have a problem with antihistamines, I am ill with extreme sneezing should I eat gluten or ingest sulphites, I get on with garlic fine and eat it raw every day along with red onions to keep me fit and well amongst other things. We are all different and clearly this triggers Thick_Blood off. I certainly understand my triggers, I was told I had Stevens Johnson Syndrome, and at times I am extremely ill as allergic to antibiotics and most drugs, seriously so. MaryF