QUESTION: Do you have any diet suggestions for someone with systemic lupus erythematosus? I am on a number of medications and take vitamins and supplements such as amino acids, but nothing seems to be working very well.
– A.B., Portland, Ore.
ANSWER: Systemic lupus, often called systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, doesn't get the attention it deserves, despite being more prevalent than leukemia, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy combined.
This condition is referred to as an autoimmune disease because the immune system – the very system that creates antibodies to defend us against invading microorganisms – is misdirected into developing antibodies against the body's own cells, tissues and organ systems.
Some individuals with SLE have mild symptoms with occasional flare-ups, while in others the condition takes the form of a life-threatening disease that wreaks havoc on organ systems throughout the body.
Diet and exercise are important, but I regret that I cannot offer much more than generic advice. Incidentally, you mention that you are on medications and that you also take supplements. It is essential that you verify with your doctor that none of the supplements you take is interfering with your medications.
As for diet, one that is based on fresh, whole foods is always good advice. With an autoimmune disease such as lupus, however, personal idiosyncrasies, such as environmental and food allergies, may play a role. In my opinion, it would be prudent to maintain a food diary, charting the good and bad days together with what is eaten, and any other salient events.
There is a definite inflammatory element to lupus, and studies in the March 2001 issue of the journal Lupus and the December 2002 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition report how EPA and DHA, two of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, can help blunt inflammatory reactions in individuals suffering from autoimmune disorders. It's reasonable to see if a regular intake of fish and the omega-3 fatty acids they contain might help relieve symptoms.
Exercise is important, but individuals with lupus tend to be easily fatigued, possibly because muscle uptake of oxygen is less in those with SLE. This being said, however, there are benefits to being as active as one can. A study in the January issue of Lupus reports how exercise can help alleviate symptoms.
For more information, you can consult the National Institutes of Health page on Lupus located at tinyurl.com/3d8xhf. And if you haven't already, check out the Lupus Foundation of America, at 1300 Piccard Drive, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850-4303. Their online address is lupus.org. In addition to having information and providing referrals to specialists, this organization offers an “Ask the Expert” feature.
For Thanksgiving 2007 I bought a turkey and got one free. I've had that second turkey in the freezer since that time. Is it still OK to eat? I am a senior and hate to waste food. Thank you for a reply.
– H.R.
The food safety and inspection service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture says it is best to eat a frozen turkey within one year. Assuming that the turkey's packaging has no tears and your freezer is working well, the turkey will still be safe. Check for signs of freezer burn or damage to the package.
Ed Blonz, Ph.D., is a nutritional scientist based in Northern California. General-interest questions about nutrition can be mailed to: Ed Blonz, Focus on Nutrition, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191, or sent via e-mail to UTFood@blonz.com.
