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Lupus is officially an autoimmune disease: this means that the body turns on itself. Lupus inflames the blood, kidneys, skin and joints and other tissues and organs. Lupus may be mild for many people, but it is also found more commonly in women than men. Lupus is a disease that there is no cure for, but it can be lived with controlled therapy and changes in lifestyles.
Diet plays a very important part in controlling the symptoms of lupus. Many physicians advise patients that are diagnosed with lupus to watch foods that are eaten, avoid sunlight and get plenty of rest.
There are some very harmful foods for a patient with lupus. Alfalfa is one of the foods that should be avoided entirely and in any form, including the sprouts. This food can worsen the pain in joints and make the patient feel extremely tired. People with lupus have stated that mushrooms and some smoked foods have the same effects, so these should be avoided entirely.
The majority of patients with lupus have difficulties with the disease when exposed to sunlight. This people have found eating foods such as celery, parsnips, parsley, lemons and limes make the symptoms to exposure to the sun worse.
High protein foods such as meats should be avoided; this always worsens the symptoms of lupus. Many physicians have prescribed for lupus patients’ vegetarian diets that include eggs and low-fat dairy products.
Foods that are high in antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and vitamin E and minerals like beta-carotene; zinc and selenium are extremely helpful for patients with lupus. The foods that contain the essential vitamins and minerals are whole grains, cereal, fruits and vegetables.
Lupus patients frequently take drugs for this disease for controlling pain and in some cases steroids are used to counteract this disease. These drugs should all be taken with meals to avoid irritating the stomach.
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