Lupus: Treatment, Diet and Home Remedies

Food and Nutrition

Foods to be taken

• Fruits and vegetables; foods low in calories and saturated fats; and foods high in antioxidants, fiber, calcium, vitamin D, and Omega 3 fatty acids should be included.
• Grains are a good source of fiber and energy, foliate, B6, B2, selenium, and zinc, and are naturally low in fat. Some whole grain foods include brown and wild rice, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, rye, oats, quinoa, corn, and barley.
• Foods high in calcium are shown to help build strong teeth and bones, which are very important for lupus patients because of their high risk of osteoporosis.
• Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids include fish; ground flaxseed, walnuts, canola oil, walnut oil, and flaxseed oil contain natural anti-inflammatory substances and may help reduce swelling and inflammation associated with systemic lupus.
• Eat more antioxidant-rich foods (such as green, leafy vegetables) and fruits (such as blueberries, pomegranates, and cherries).

Foods to be avoided

• Foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol
• Red meats and high fat meats like liver, organ meats, and dark meats
• Alcoholic beverages, salty foods, sugar sweetened beverages, candy, snacks, sweets, and alfalfa sprouts

Yoga and Exercise

Choose low-impact activities that won t put pressure on your joints. Low-impact exercises include: walking, cycling, swimming etc.

• Flexibility exercises include stretching and range-of-motion movements. They can reduce stiffness and help make you more limber.
• Strengthening exercises like resistance training or weight-lifting work muscles more vigorously and contribute to better joint support.
  
• Massage improves blood circulation thus benefitting different organs of the body that may be affected by lupus.

YOGA
Body awareness exercises, such as tai chi, yoga Watch video and Pilates, can improve posture, balance, and coordination, all important to people who are managing lupus.
Breathing exercises, relaxation training, and meditation are all good ways of lowering stress, which can be an important part of your pain management plan.

Home Remedies

Wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen when in the sun

• Stay up-to-date with immunizations
• Get plenty of rest. Some people with lupus need up to 12 hours of sleep every night
• Apply moist heat to painful joints or soak in a hot tub for pain management