What is Lupus: Plans for a Healthier Living

For those reading my blogs and aren't entirely sure what Lupus exactly is, my apologies for the delay of giving an explanation to what it is. 

"Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body". (Sited from www.lupus.org)

So now that that's said.... What is the best way to get this disease under some kind of control? For 5 years, I've tried so many methods that could ease my symptoms, or even put me in some kind of "remission". Unfortunately, I've had very little luck, and I am once again, embarking in another research.


So the first thing I'm going to look up is Diet. It's said that a person with Lupus can actually maintain a healthier lifestyle by being careful of what they eat. Of course weight plays a part, but the actual foods you eat can affect your joints in a profound way. There's certain foods that act as a trigger for inflammation and other symptoms. For me, it's particularly difficult to try to filter out what's good for me and what's not. The reason being that as a Puerto Rican, my family eats large amounts of pork, beef, and chicken. Though chicken is fine for me, pork and beef (or red meat in general) aren't so great. Also, I personally love a large variety of cultural foods, mainly including vegetables, some good, some bad!
Now the following list are suggestions to test yourself with, and to be mindful of. It does not mean that everyone with Lupus will have the same positive or negative reactions to these foods. Though, there is evidence that these foods can affect you either way; the best way to figure out what could be your trigger(s) is to partner up with your Physicians, and by paying close attention to you body after every meal. Some trigger examples are: some legumes, especially alfalfa. 
You might to want to also look out for: peanuts, soybeans.
For people who are sulfa sensitive, any vegetables that contain sulfa, are added to this list. 
This includes: brussels sprouts
It gets worse for people like me who love, love, love caffeine... it's heart-breaking to say that coffee, tea, and soda are a must get rid of item......not to mention the obvious.... too much alcohol.
Refined sugar is also a to be watched item, although it seems like almost everything contains every kind of sugar..... Theres a surprising note that I found out about refined sugars, which is that it may inhibit the immune system's the ability to fight against disease. 
Again, I emphasize that what's listed about are suggestions and not prone to be the case with everyone. Planning a nutritious diet with your physician is simply the best way to go. 
There is definitely much focus, dedication, diligence and strong-will to uphold in getting into that healthier lifestyle. Something that can do wonders for the symptoms we Lupus patients live with each and every day.