Posts from — August 2010

Back-to-school time can be quite stressful for both kids and parents – new teachers, new schedules, or even a new school. For those with lupus, it could be even more demanding. Join us this month as we invite you to submit back to school questions to Dr. Peter Chira.

Peter Chira, M.D., M.S., is an instructor of pediatric rheumatology at Stanford University School of Medicine and practices at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital. His research interests focus on improving the transition and educational process for adolescents with rheumatic diseases, including those systemic lupus erythematosus, and evaluating the role of information technology in this transition.

Submit your questions to Dr. Chira by September 7. Answers will be posted to the LFA website by September 20.

Review transcripts from our previous 15 Questions and Web Chats

Learn more about 15 Questions

If you have a question about lupus that is not associated with this month’s topic, we invite you to submit your inquiry to our LFA Health Educators and your question will be answered as soon as possible.

Lupus, Stress and Inflammation

Lupus is an inflammatory disease that can be the result of a number of factors. One of the most common and important factors is stress on the body due to lifestyle. Since this is an area we have full control over (should we choose it), it is something that we can use in our fight against disease, such as lupus. Low-level, chronic inflammation due to stress is linked with many serious illnesses, including lupus, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, even depression and mood disorders.

Speaking from personal experience, my lupus diagnosis was a consequence of very high, chronic levels of stress over approximately a year. I knew my body was running on empty for some time, and finally one day I felt it ‘break’. Although I didn’t know what the ‘label’ was for what just happened, I knew my symptoms of extreme chronic fatigue, muscle pain, aching joints, fever and rash were the consequence of not heeding the warning signs sooner.

In my search to find my way back to health, while consciously ignoring the ‘incurable’ status out of desperation to get my life back, I took on the challenge to ‘heal the root cause’ of my lupus. I did. I’m happy to say I don’t have lupus anymore.

Lupus and Inflammatory Foods

The following is a list of foods which are ‘inflammatory’. Because lupus is an inflammatory condition, you must be consciously working toward an ‘anti-inflammatory’ lifestyle.

Inflammatory foods that you must avoid if you have lupus:

Processed foods
Trans fats (shortening, hydrogenated oils)
Polyunsaturated vegetable oils – (including corn, safflower, canola, sunflower and soy – excluding fish and flaxseed oil)
Saturated animal fat
High fatty animal meats
Processed and smoked meats – (such as hot dogs, sausages, and lunch meats)
Dairy and eggs
Sugar
Refined carbohydrates and starches
Gluten – wheat and other grains (rye, barley, and spelt)
Junk food
Fast food restaurants (fried foods, or baked with trans fats from shortening, margarine, lard or partially hydrogenated oil)
Salt
Nightshade vegetables
Alfalfa Sprouts – (have a high L-canavanine content, causing potential inflammation)
Caffeine – (chocolate, coffee, caffeinated tea)
Artificial sweeteners
Alcohol
Sodas

Food Allergies and Sensitivities – Find What Works for You

Other factors to consider include food allergies and sensitivities. You may have noticed that certain foods instantly ‘drain’ you of energy. To this day when I eat a bowl of chicken teriyaki with white rice or have a glass of soda (a big no no!) my energy instantly drops. Paying attention to how your body responds to your foods is vital.

Below are a list of the most common foods that trigger allergies or food sensitivities:

Fish
Shellfish
Soy
Wheat
Tree nuts (such as walnuts, cashews, and pistachios)
Peanuts
Milk
Eggs

Healing Through Nutrition – With Easy to Digest, Nutritious Meals

If you are managing an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, an easy to digest meal with natural, organic whole foods is optimal. By consuming such a Diet for Lupus you are freeing up important energy for your body to be able to focus on repair and healing work.

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.”Thomas Edison

When you’re dealing with extreme fatigue, as most do with lupus, you squander your vital energy by making your body work extra hard at digesting your food, compared to harnessing that energy for more important things that will directly affect how you feel and your energy levels. Consider the work required of the body between having a nutritious, tasty bowl of soup or salad versus trying to digest a burger, fries or pizza once you read the following information below.

To learn more about how to cope with food sensitivities, what diet for lupus is best, and how to work toward regaining your health please visit the site listed below for a free email consultation. Wishing you the best, in good health!!

Stacey Becker is the author of ‘I Don’t Have Lupus Anymore’, at http://www.Healing-Lupus.com . It is a true story about how she (and others) has healed Lupus. The book is a practical guide with a holistic approach to healing that addresses: Lupus diet do’s and don’ts, nutrition, supplements, stress, common (and uncommon) Lupus questions and answers, self-healing strategies including meditation and visualization, the power of intention, faith, plus many other important factors helpful in reversing disease through natural means.

Stacey’s message is one of hope, since Lupus sufferers who ask their doctors ‘how to cure lupus’ are offered no hope for a cure. Visit her site for a free mini course on how to empower your health if you or a loved one has Lupus.
Lupus Pain Relief.com also recommends