Healthy eating for lupus

To date, no diet is known to cure, prevent, or relieve lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) symptoms. However, poor nutrition makes it harder for your body to battle chronic illness. To ensure that you have a healthful, balanced diet, your health professional may oversee your food intake or refer you to a registered dietitian. Consider the following tips when planning your daily diet:

• Avoid or cut down on caffeine. Reducing caffeine intake improves sleep and can diminish the stomach upset caused by some of the drugs prescribed for lupus care.
• Follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. This type of diet may make you less vulnerable to conditions—most notably heart disease—that are associated with the steroid treatment of lupus.
• Get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. If you are taking corticosteroids to treat lupus, you are at risk for developing osteoporosis. Adults after age 25 need 1200 mg to 1500 mg per day of calcium, which is essential for preventing osteoporosis. Adults also need 400 IU to 800 IU of vitamin D per day.
• If you have serious kidney disease, follow your health professional's or registered dietitian's advice regarding protein and salt intake.
• Get your vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet should give you enough vitamins and minerals. However, you may need supplements if your appetite is poor or to counteract the effects of certain medications (for example, extra calcium while taking corticosteroids). Do not take supplements without your health professional's or dietitian's guidance.