Diet for lupus nephritis

Do you feel upset for symptoms with lupus nephritis? How to ease these symptoms?I think this article can help you.  

Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidney caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease of the immune system. Apart from the kidneys, SLE can also damage the skin, joints, nervous system and virtually any organ or system in the body.

1. Are there certain foods that aggravate lupus symptoms and should be avoided if possible?

One food that should be avoided is alfalfa. Alfalfa supplements have been associated with lupus flares, perhaps because of the amino acid L-canavanine which can increase inflammation. Other foods that are sometimes mentioned as ones to avoid include ‘night shade’ vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants and peppers), but there is only anecdotal evidence that they may increase inflammation. Scientific evidence has not suggested that these vegetables aggravate disease symptoms. In general, unless a particular food seems to trigger a lupus flare, there is no reason to avoid most foods. Foods that seem to trigger a flare vary greatly from person to person, so a food that causes problems for one person may have no effect on you. There is no ‘lupus diet’ of foods that either should or should not be consumed, unless someone has kidney damage and has been advised to limit their protein intake.

2. Are there foods that are better to eat when I'm nauseous? I don't eat gluten, because it makes my SLE symptoms worse, but I'll try just about anything else. I need to take my pills with food and I know the nausea is worse if I don't have anything in my stomach.

As long as your doctor hasn’t advised you to limit your protein intake, you could focus on high-protein foods to help with medication-related nausea. Cheese, peanut butter, eggs, or yogurt (plain) are all gluten-free. Any fresh produce is also a good choice, and sometimes tart foods (citrus, for example) can help with nausea. Another option is to try some of the gluten free products now available, such as gluten free crackers or breads. Foods without strong odors are often better tolerated, so try dry gluten-free bread rather than toast.

3. I am told natural sugars in the diet aggravate an already volatile inflammatory process taking place in the body of lupus patients. If this is true, will you help us understand why this happens?

There have been anecdotal reports that “natural” sugar - high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) - triggers an inflammatory response in the body, and because of this, may exacerbate lupus symptoms. HFCS is chemically similar to table sugar (sucrose) and there is no solid scientific evidence that sugar aggravates inflammation. The main problem with HFCS is that it is added to many foods that are part of the typical American diet (salad dressing, tomato sauce, cookies, soda, etc.), and for this reason, contributes to obesity. Obesity may be related to inflammation. It would be prudent for anyone, not just patients with lupus, to reduce the amount of sugar in their diet, whether or not it is “natural”.

4. What is your experience with benefits of intolerance testing? Does gluten, dairy avoidance help prevent flares? Are most autoimmune illnesses related to food intolerance? Dubai, United Arab Emirates

There is no clear scientific evidence that food intolerances are related to lupus or other autoimmune disorders. Intolerances are episodic, recurrent, variable, non-immune reactions to foods. Diagnosis of food intolerances is difficult, and typically involves total elimination of a suspect food from the diet while monitoring symptoms. Avoiding gluten or dairy products will not necessarily prevent flares; food “triggers” vary greatly from person to person. If you suspect that you may have a food intolerance, talk with your physician about further evaluation.

5. I have SLE lupus and been trying to lose weight for years i lose the weight then i get put back on steroids and up my weight goes sometimes by 40 pounds. Then I get depressed because I’ve worked so hard to get the weight off and poof its back on within weeks. Do you have any suggestions for us with this hopeless problem? Clearwater, FL

Weight gain is problematic for many people taking steroids for lupus. In general, a healthy, balanced diet, with fruits and vegetables as the mainstay, is recommended. Low-fat proteins, such as fish or chicken, are also good choices. Some general suggestions that might help you: 1) eat a varied diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat meat and dairy products; 2) Try keeping a food diary, writing down everything that you eat. Studies have shown that this can be very helpful for people trying to lose weight by making them more aware of their eating; 3) Develop a schedule for eating and stick to it. Since steroids can increase your appetite, having a schedule can help prevent overeating; 4) Shop from a list whenever you go to the grocery store. This can prevent buying foods that may contribute to weight gain. If feasible, exercise is also an important part of health and weight maintenance. Check with your physician before starting any new diet or exercise program.

6. How effective are these Anti-Inflammatory Diets?

There are many different “anti-inflammatory” diets, and though each may have some unique features, they all emphasize increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids (versus the more commonly consumed omega-6 fatty acids). Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish or fish oil supplements. In addition, plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources (fish and chicken), and less saturated fat, red meat, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods are recommended. There is no solid scientific proof that an “anti-inflammatory” diet per se is effective, but including foods such as those mentioned above often leads to a healthier intake overall. Furthermore, this type of diet is likely to reduce calorie intake and help prevent obesity, which can itself reduce inflammation. Be sure to check with your health care provider before starting any new diet plan.

7. After almost each blood test that I have done in the hospital, the doctors’ find that my calcium levels are dangerously low. I take multivitamins and calcium and vitamin D supplements daily, so I am concerned that I may be doing something wrong. I also drink milk and eat yogurt. Can you give me any advice on what I can do to improve my calcium levels?

Serum calcium is tightly regulated by hormones that maintain levels within a normal range. If blood levels get too low, then hormones act to pull calcium out of bones to restore calcium balance. If blood levels get too high, then other hormones act to increase the amount of calcium put into storage or excreted by the kidneys. In addition to the calcium and vitamin D in a person’s diet, the amount that your intestines absorb, your hormone levels, and the levels of other compounds in your blood that may affect calcium balance (protein or phosphate levels, for example) also play a role in calcium balance. It sounds as if you are getting an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D in your diet, but without knowing more about your specific medical situation (if your kidneys are involved in your lupus, for example, that could be playing a role since the kidneys are involved in determining the amount of calcium excreted), it’s impossible to know why your levels are low. Please talk with your health care provider and ask what might be causing your low calcium level.

Hope this questions and answers can help you solve some questions .
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