Anti inflammatory diet for lupus?

[Babymilo]

Has anyone ever tried this? I really want to know about your experience. I just bought a book about the immune system recovery plam by Susan Blum. I did a research on internet and some people say that anti inflammatory diet is working for them.

[Barnclown]

Yes....a combo of anti-inflammatory diet + low FODMAP diet has helped me loads for decades to manage my infant onset lupus. BUT, I still feel THE MOST important thing is to listen to your body closely and follow its guidance...once strict versions of diet had "stablised" my issues enough so my GI tract was more functional & I was in less discomfort, I did let myself do a bit of trial & error....and discovered my body was clearly leaning towards certain exclusions that many on these sort of diets don't need to practice. Likewise, I found I could indulge a bit sometimes in lovely stuff these diets tend to consider NO NOs 😆. My most abiding feeling is: Common Sense is Key!

And as I've aged, my diet has adjusted. Am now 63....and going through a tough time diet-wise ....chronic immune dysfunction & connective tissue disorder-related GI tract issues mean I've had to go into a v low fibre diet which is v tough after all these years of benefitting from high fibre via the anti-inflamm. + low FODMAP approach. But, my body is making it's requirements Crystal Clear!

🍀🍀🍀🍀 coco

[Babymilo in reply to Barnclown]

Thank you for the reply. May I know what food do you remove from your diet? Ive read that people remove gluten, dairy, and red meat. And how long after your diet you begin to see changes?

[Barnclown in reply to Babymilo]

when I first began eating this way concertedly it was the early 1980s and my husband was being treated by Dr Hunter at addenbrookes. His book: Irritable Bowel Solutions explains his dietary approach (based on v specific exclusions). Later I moved on to the best books I could find on anti inflammation diet & Low FODMAP diets. eliminating dairy, gluten & processed carbohydrate has all been part of my experience. Usually I felt improvements within the first few weeks. Or within the first few days I felt the opposite of improvements. One thing I definitely mustn't touch is soya in any form. The minute I stopped soya milk, I felt immediate improvements. I could go on & on...but really the best thing is to buy good guides, get the ok of your lupus clinic & gp, and see what your body tells you.

🍀🍀🍀🍀

[happytulip in reply to Barnclown]

Hi Coco, just curious but what milk do you drink if you avoid soya and dairy??x

[Barnclown in reply to happytulip]

Good question! When I started on a strict exclusion basis, I tried every type of alternative "milk" I could. I disliked them all. So I simply went without for almost 2 years. Then I tried reintroducing a tiny bit of cow milk in tea: and didn't react badly! Since then, I've also been able to tolerate tiny bits of cream too. But I keep dairy to a bare minimum. Every now & then I have an ice cream & a bit of cheese, butter etc. And I have probiotic plain yogurt every morning. So far, I don't seem to be allergic to cow & sheep products if I keep consumption to a minimum

My soya reactivity is more like an allergy: I cannot tolerate it in any form...the GALES of wind I produce are storm force 10 and the PONG: DREADFUL 😝. I've read several times that lupus patients are known to be intolerant of soya...I think the hormone content is toxic to some of us...Soy contains phytoestrogens called isoflavones that may mimic the activity of the hormone estrogen in your body or something

🍀😘🍀😘

[Cann]

Yes, I use muscle testing to find what to eat and I find keeping potato intake low for me helps and tomatoes - both inflammation causing foods plus others. I also try to rotate my food - this helps.

[Babymilo in reply to Cann]

Thanks for the reply. How long have u done this diet? And how long you feel the effects after u started diet?

[Cann]

I was seriously ill 16 years ago and I have been on the diet for that time, although I couldn't eat any potato then or tomatoes, but now I can have tomatoes about once a week and potato every other day or so but only a couple of steamed slices; my husband eats the rest! I felt the effects of a change in diet straight away, but I cut out dairy and grains, too. I am still not good on those - diagnosed with asthma with dairy and joint pain with grains - my mother had rheumatoid arthritis and my uncle gout. I am a mixture of genetic problems, but I find the diet definitely helps and exercise at the right time - not overdoing it, though.

[Babymilo]

So I guess a lot of people who tried this diet found this is working for their disease. I just wonder why doctor doesn't know about this. Because if this is true this could be a cure for auto immune disease.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Babymilo]

Hi Babymilo ,

Some people may experience some improvement in the management of their lupus by making changes in their diet. Diet will not 'cure' lupus. Since lupus is a systemic inflammatory condition, an anti-inflammatory diet may help some people, but it is important to bear in mind that everybody with lupus is different and what may help one person may not work for another.

The recommended diet for people with lupus is one that is healthy and balanced. It is always advised to discuss any dramatic changes in diet with your consultant before starting to ensure that they can advise you of potential adverse effects or risks.

We published an article about diet and healthy eating on our blog recently. You can read it at lupusuk.org.uk/diet-and-hea...