I am suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) since a long time. What diet should I follow keeping my condition in mind?

Let us first understand what SLE is…

Sometimes, our body’s immune system mistakenly starts attacking our healthy cells which can lead to chronic inflammation on the skin. This is systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE. It is an auto-immune disease whose underlying cause is not completely known and can occur at any age. The common symptoms include joint pain in knee, fingers, wrists, etc, hair loss, fatigue, fever without any reason and a butterfly rash on the cheeks which gets worse in sunlight. Though there isn’t cure for SLE, once diagnosed, doctors suggest methods to keep it in control. Your diet can also play a role in controlling it. Here’s what you should eat and avoid.

Answered by nutritionist Neha Chandna

You need to eat an anti-inflammatory diet that includes omega 3 from fish/ flaxseeds, red-orange and green coloured fruits and vegetables like tomato, apples, papaya, oranges, mango, carrots, beet, broccoli, spinach, etc, which contain lots of antioxidants, vitamin C (from citrus fruits), and help in iron absorption to prevent anaemia. Take vitamin D supplements to prevent bone loss due to lack of sun exposure. Avoid tea/ coffee as they interfere with iron absorption, and also all processed foods with preservatives – like preserved bread products, cereals and snacks, preserved meats, etc – as they can aggravate inflammation. Avoid gluten in any form like wheat, barley as it can aggravate lupus. Another important tip is to drink plenty of water.