Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation throughout the body, primarily affecting the skin, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood cells, and joints. While every case of lupus is unique, common lupus symptoms include skin lesions, stiffness, swelling, and pain in the joints, rashes, and fatigue. One of the most distinctive signs of lupus is a butterfly-shaped rash on the face, which covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose.
Most lupus is fairly mild and follows a cyclical pattern, in which symptoms flare-up and worsen when exposed to triggers before dying down. While there are medications that can be prescribed to manage symptoms, it can also be helpful to determine what triggers your flare ups and avoid them. Common triggers include sunlight, certain medications, infections, and certain foods. Here are 5 foods that could be triggering your lupus flare-ups:
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1. Alfalfa sprouts
Alfalfa sprouts are often added to sandwiches, soups, salads, and stir frys to add some extra crunch. Unfortunately, while alfalfa sprouts contain various important vitamins and minerals, they also contain an amino acid called L-canavanine, which stimulates the immune system. Given that lupus is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the immune system is attacking the body, boosting the immune system with L-canavanine can ultimately do more harm than good for lupus patients.
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2. Fried foods
The inflammation caused by lupus is not just uncomfortable — it significantly increases a patient’s risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, and other heart conditions. As such, lupus patients need to be careful of other risk factors associated with heart disease. This generally means avoiding foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats, including fried foods. Fried foods, such as fried fish, fried chicken, mozzarella sticks, and french fries, are usually cooked in hydrogenated oil, which raises levels of bad LDL cholesterol, lowers levels of good HDL cholesterol, and overall increases risk of heart disease.
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3. Whole dairy products
While it is important that lupus patients get enough calcium and vitamin D in their diets to strengthen their bones and counteract the calcium depletion that can be a side effect of some lupus medications, whole dairy products also present risks for those with lupus. 2% and whole milk, as well as full-fat cheese, butter, and whole milk Greek yogurt, are high in fat and cholesterol, increasing risk of heart disease. Healthy alternatives include 1% and skim milk, low-fat and low sodium yogurt, and low fat cheese. You can also try non-dairy milks, such as soy or almond milk, that are fortified with calcium and Vitamin D.
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4. Creamy soups and sauces
Sauces and soups such as alfredo sauce, cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken soup usually get that thick, rich texture from heavy cream, light cream, or half and half. Unfortunately, cream is even higher in fat and cholesterol than whole milk. Additionally, it is high in saturated fats, which can worsen inflammation and contribute to lupus flare-ups.
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5. Red and cured meats
Like many of the items on this list, red meats, such as pork, beef, lamb and veal, and meats preserved through smoking and curing, such as sausages, bologna, and bacon, are high in saturated fat and can contribute to an increase in bad LDL cholesterol, further increasing a lupus patient’s risk of heart disease. While you don’t necessarily have to cut out red meat completely, you can try having a few plant-based meals a week, or, if you need meat, try substituting in a fatty fish like salmon or mackerel. Fatty fish is low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can actually help reduce inflammation.
