Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE)

What you need to know:

This disorder, often known as lupus, is a very complex condition, which can involve many symptoms. You’ll find advice on how to relieve the individual symptoms of this condition in the appropriate sections. But, generally with lupus, it’s important to keep your immune system functioning properly and to help control inflammation, both can be achieved effectively with diet and natural remedies. Another milder form of lupus which affects the skin and is more common in women called DLE (Discoid Lupus Erythematosis) can also be treated using the following advice.

The most useful Supplements:

Other supplements which might be helpful:

Betaine hydrochloride (if there is stomach acid deficiency)

The most useful Herbs:

Most useful (in alphabetical order). Generally each herb is normally taken at 1-2grams per day, however combination products are available:

* Modern research indicates that Echinacea actually regulates and balances the immune system rather than aggressively stimulating it as once suggested. Western herbalists now widely recommend this herb for helping to control the immune function in autoimmune illnesses such as Lupus.

Immune support - Cats claw, thyme

Anti-inflammatory - Birch

Dietary changes that may be beneficial:

Diet plays a crucial part in whole body health, including maintenance of the immune system.

The following points are very important:

• Having a well-balanced diet with plenty of complex carbohydrates – wholemeal cereals, pasta, wholemeal bread, rice – at least five portions (500 g in weight) of fresh fruit and vegetables and two litres of fluid a day.
• Sugar makes the body less efficient at destroying bacteria, so does eating too much fat. But live bio yoghurt produces acids that destroy invading bugs, so eat one carton, preferably organic, a day.
• Saturated fats also have a negative effect on immune function, so animals and Dairy products should be reduced.
• Try to eat foods as fresh as possible, and ideally organic. There are many chemicals in our food and environment that burden our immune system. Drink at least 2 litres of water everyday to help flush these toxins out of the body.
• And it goes without saying that smoking and drinking too much alcohol does not do your immune system any favours at all.

Inflammation

Complementary medicine can be very effective at relieving joint pain. One of your first steps after diagnosis should be to look at your diet.

• The naturopathic approach is to become a healthy demi-vegetarian – so you don’t eat Meat, but you do have fish - avoid high levels of saturated animal fats (found not only in Meat, but in Dairy products, too) and eat foods rich in protective anti-oxidants, including lots of fruits and vegetables, and have a consistent intake of gamma-linolenic acid and other sources of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids – nuts, seeds and oily fish.
• You should also be eating more Ginger, Pineapples and fish or vegetable curries flavoured with Turmeric - they all have an anti-inflammatory action.

  Some studies have shown that avoiding Dairy products can be helpful in relieving joint conditions. It’s essential, however, that you get proper advice from a registered naturopath before making fundamental changes to your diet. And this is crucial if the patient is a child – no whole food groups should be excluded from their diet without discussing this with a professional, particularly if the suspect food is Dairy produce; children and young people need these easily-digested calories and you’ll certainly need to know how to replace the bone-building Calcium they’ll be lacking if they don’t have milk, Cheese, yoghurt etc.

• Alfalfa sprouts should be avoided if you have lupus as they seem to worsen symptoms, they contain a chemical called canavanine, which seems to be the problem.
• In addition other foods may affect certain individuals with lupus and worsens symptoms. It may therefore be useful to be evaluated for food sensitivities, but only by a qualified professional.

Other useful advice:

Getting enough sleep is important, although the amount varies from person to person – Margaret Thatcher famously ran the country on only four hours a night, but some of us feel wretched if we don’t get our regulation eight hours – and sleep needs do decline as we get older. You’ll know what’s right for you.  You should also get some fresh air every day and do at least half an hour of exercise three times a week. It doesn’t have to be particularly strenuous - any activity which you enjoy and which gets you slightly out of breath will do, even a brisk walk.

As well as giving dietary advice, a naturopath may be able to soothe and increase the mobility of painful joints with hot and cold water treatments and mud, wax and sea water therapies . Massage and aromatherapy combined with very gentle osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation can also be helpful in reducing pain and making the joints more mobile.

This information is licensed for use by Wellbeing Information Systems Ltd ("WIS"), and protected by international copyright law. All rights are reserved. (email info@wisinfo.co.uk). The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.