How to Lessen the Severity of Lupus in a Natural Way

Diet plays an important role in preventing and decreasing the severity of autoimmune diseases. While some foods such as sugar and gluten trigger and sustain inflammation in the body, others have anti-inflammatory effect. People who suffer from inflammatory diseases should definetely learn what foods can help them manage their condition. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) damages the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels or brain and as most chronic and degenerative diseases, many factors contribute to their development and progress. So how can this be aided in a natural way?


Lupus, estrogen and indole-3-carbinol phytonutrient

Estrogen is thought to play an important role in SLE due to women in their reproductive years are more prone to develop it. It has been observed that SLE patients have higher concentrations of a estrogen metabolite called 16α-hydroxyestrone which might increase the severity of the disease. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage are rich in a compound called glucobrassinin, which is transformed into indole-3-carbinol (I3C) during cutting or chewing. I3C is proven to decrease the concentration of estrogenic metabolites lessening lupus severity.


The importance of antioxidants 

Rosemary contains a powerful antioxidant called rosmarinic acid

Oxidative stress in another important factor in lupus. In fact some researchers catalogue it as a strong risk factor for autoimmune diseases because it dysregulates the immune system and produces auto antibodies. It has been observed that SLE patients have lower levels of both glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD), which are natural mechanisms against oxidative substances in the body. N-acetylcysteine supplements are recommended for increasing glutathione, and many antioxidants such as rosemary's rosmarinic acid, turmeric's curcumin and red wine's resveratrol stimulate cellular production of SOD. An enhanced activity of SOD has amazing effects in the body, for instance many organisms live longer when this marvelous enzyme is overexpressed! SOD not only destroys oxidative compounds in the body, but turns on many anti-aging genes that protects cells and tissues from mutations, inflammation and toxic compounds.

Incorporate rosemary into your diet. It goes very well with chicken, fish and potatoes.

If you want to read more about the effects of oxidative stress on the body and how to fight it, read my previous blog posts on lowering LDL cholesterol and preventing brain diseases. 


The promising effects of turmeric

Ancient Indian physicians were pretty aware of the healing effects of turmeric

Turmeric is a key ingredient in many Asian dishes and traditional Indian medicine. Through clinical trials, modern science has verified its amazing potential on inflammatory diseases including lupus nephritis. Turmeric contains curcumin, a phenolic compound that is responsible for its yellow color and pharmacological effects. Curcumin is able to modulate numerous processes in the cells, inhibiting substances called cytokines and genes such as NF-κB that have inflammatory activity. Add turmeric to your diet, there are many recipes you can find for turmeric rice and soup which are delicious and will make you feel happy knowing that your food is your medicine.