Lupus
Symptoms
Lupus is an autoimmune disease of the rheumatic family. Because it gives the face a wolf-like resemblance, it is called lupus, meaning wolf. Lupus appears in either of two forms. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects the connective tissue in all parts of the body and is regarded as quite a serious illness. However, discoid lupus is limited only to the skin. The systemic type causes arthritic symptoms throughout the body, along with fever, weakness and weight loss. On the cheeks and over the nose bridge, a characteristic red rash develops in the shape of a butterfly. Sunlight triggers or aggravates the eruption. When inner organs become affected, including the kidneys, lungs and heart, the prognosis is serious. As is typical for autoimmune illnesses, lupus recurs in attacks which then subside for varying intervals. When the flare-ups recede, scars are often left on the skin.
Causes
Lupus is not a common disease, and little is known about its cause. As in all autoimmune diseases, the body’s defense system attacks, inflames and destroys its own tissues. It affects more women than men, and is often triggered following therapies with certain medications, including oral contraceptives, high blood pressure medications and sulfa drugs. Immunizations and viral infections, as well as fatigue and stress on the body, can trigger an attack of lupus.
Nutrition
A low-calorie, low-fat diet will benefit lupus treatment. Emphasize fresh vegetables and vegetable proteins from potatoes, whole grains, soy beans and legumes. Avoid red meat and dairy products. The amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine in animal protein foods contribute to the progression of lupus symptoms. Fat in the diet should come from unrefined, cold-pressed vegetable oils and fish. They contain essential fatty acids or, in the case of fish, eicosapentanoic acids which have a beneficial effect on the health of lupus patients.
Mild cases of lupus respond well to a stimulation of the immune system. To strengthen the immune system, drink plenty of water, limit sugar, and eat raw, enzyme-rich, green vegetables and citrus fruits for vitamin C. Make sure your diet includes foods rich in zinc. Raw pumpkin seeds and oysters from clear, uncontaminated waters are two good sources.
Avoid alfalfa sprouts. They contain canavanine, a toxin which the body incorporates into protein in the place of the amino acid arginine, producing a lupus-like syndrome or aggravating systemic lupus erythematosus.
Nutritional Supplements
Diet is very important in the treatment of lupus, as well as in other related rheumatoid illnesses and should not be neglected. Supplements can add to the benefits of a good diet and have often been used to hold off the symptoms indefinitely, even though symptoms return once the supplements are discontinued.
Some cases of both systemic and discoid lupus improve markedly with high dosages of vitamin E. Selenium, in some cases, increases the effectiveness of vitamin E. The B vitamin pantothenic acid is effective and should be taken with the other B vitamins. Vitamin B12 injections have proved helpful in other instances. Studies with beta-carotene showed it to be beneficial in preventing skin outbreaks from the sun, typical for discoid lupus.
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU in divided doses, gradually increasing to 1,200 mg
Vitamin B complex, 50 mg three times daily
900 mg pantothenic acid, three times daily
Helpful
Selenium, 200 mcg
Beta-carotene, 50,000 IU three times daily
Herbal Remedies
A general herbal cleansing program is helpful in the treatment of lupus.
Devil’s claw, echinacea, goldenseal, red clover, yucca, watercress juice, aloe vera, garlic, ginger and burdock root have been helpful.
Lupus can be completely destroyed with black walnut.
Homeopathy
The homeopathic approach to lupus is constitutional treatment along with diet and lifestyle changes. Consult an experienced homeopath for extensive treatment.
Tissue Salts
For tissue salt remedies to relieve specific symptoms, see these sections: blood pressure (high), fatigue, fever, immune system and stress.
Other Suggestions
Chelation therapy helps alleviate lupus symptoms by strengthening the body’s immune system.
Available Brand Name Products
Nutritional Supplements
Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)
Efamol Evening Primrose Oil 500 mg Capsules (Flora)
Efamol Evening Primrose Oil 1000 mg Capsules (Flora)
Efamol Evening Primrose Oil 30 ml Liquid (Flora)
Flax Oil (Flora)
Flax-O-Mega 1000 mg (Flora)
Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend (Flora)
Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend Capsules (Flora)
Beta Carotene (Natural Factors)
Beta Green (Natural Factors)
C Extra (Natural Factors)
Coenzyme Q10 (Natural Factors)
E 400 IU Mixed Tocopherol 100% Natural (Natural Factors)
Grape Seed Extract (Natural Factors)
Hi Potency Multi (Natural Factors)
Super Multi Plus (Natural Factors)
Ultra Multi Plus (Natural Factors)
Vitamin A (Natural Factors)
Wild Salmon Oil (Natural Factors)
Grape Seed Phytosome (Nature’s Herbs)
Green-Power (Nature’s Herbs)
DHEA (Scandinavian Naturals)
Strix (Scandinavian Naturals)
Other Nutritional Supplements
Aloe Vera Gel (Nature’s Herbs)
Herbal Remedies
Bilberry Extract (Natural Factors)
Devil’s Claw Extract (Natural Factors)
Echinacea Fresh Juice Extract
(Natural Factors)
Echinacea Tincture (Natural Factors)
Barley Grass (Nature’s Herbs)
Bilberry-Power (Nature’s Herbs)
Black Walnut Hull (Nature’s Herbs)
Burdock (Nature’s Herbs)
Chlorella, Better (Nature’s Herbs)
Devil’s Claw Extract (Nature’s Herbs)
Echinacea-Power (Nature’s Herbs)
Garlic, Odorless (Nature’s Herbs)
Golden Seal Root (Nature’s Herbs)
Licorice Phytosome (Nature’s Herbs)
Red Clover Combination (Nature’s Herbs)
Reishi Mushroom (Nature’s Herbs)
Shiitake Mushroom (Nature’s Herbs)
Yucca (Nature’s Herbs)
Ultra-Gar (Prairie Naturals)
