Monday 19 May 2014

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies think that body tissues are foreign substances and begin to attack them. This results in inflammation and considerable amount of pain.
Lupus can be of two forms:
1. Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and
2. Systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
DLE is characterised by scaly red rash that spreads across cheeks and nose. Sometimes it may spread to the forehead and the scalp. Lupus is cyclic in nature – scally patches appear and then disappear. It is believed that the scally patches are triggered by exposure to direct sunlight. So patients are often advised to stay indoors during peak hours of noon.

SLE is also diagnosed by scally patches but these patches appear all over the body. These patches are also cyclic in nature. They appear and disappear fully. Lupus antibodies also may be found in the blood. SLE is characterised by vulnerability to infection of bladder and mouth sores. Lupus patients may also show symptoms of fatigue, fever, joint and muscle pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, weight loss, hair loss, and enlarged lymph nodes.
It is believed that candida/fungi, through their production of mycotoxins, may be connected to auto-immune diseases like lupus.
Lupus can be managed with anti-inflammatory diet, adequate rest and stress free life. With these at least the inflammation and the resulting pain can be reduced. Medication can help reduce the extent of flare-ups and pain and supress the antibody.
Lupus is no longer a life-threatening disorder that it was a century ago.
Some of these symptoms can also be caused by food allergy. You must undergo the necessary tests to eliminate food allergy.

Suitable diet for lupus disorder is:
1. Raw vegetables and citrus fruits that will keep your body alkaline.
2. Regular juice fasting will detoxify your system.
3. Food rich in antioxidants to counteract inflammation. Wheat germ and cold pressed oils such as olive oil and flax seed oil give you extra anti-oxidant protection.
4. Essential fatty acids reduce inflammation. Salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines, swordfish, shark, cod and halibut provide high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids which control damaging inflammation.
5. Onions, garlic, and asparagus are rich in sulphur which can help in the repair of damage caused by antibodies to the joint cartilage.
6. Cranberry juice will help bladder infections.
7. If you take corticosteroid it will cause some bone loss and it will be necessary to consume leafy vegetables and soy. Juicing of green leaves will be the best form as you will be able to consume bigger quantity.
8. Sometimes just eliminating animal meats alone may reduce the pain and inflammation.
9. Keeping you intestinal tract clear will reduce some pain and inflammation. Take probiotic supplements or make your own probiotics. (See this article). You can also take one Yakult or Vitagen a day if you do not take probiotics.
Foods not suitable for lupus:
1. Alcohol and energy drinks.
2. Processed foods and preservatives and additives like MSG.
3. Salt, sugar, white flour, food containing yeast, peanuts and dairy. These products contribute to fungal infection.
4. Artificial sweeteners.

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