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Lupus – Alternative Therapies that Work

By: Sharon Moore

There was a time when there wasn’t much a doctor could do for a patient with lupus. But there have been astounding advances since then, and people who are in need of medical care will find they have a heap of dissimilar treatment choices for their lupus. Natural cures may go a long way towards helping people who are in need of medical care alleviate, or even eliminate, their symptoms.

Here are some of the natural remedies lupus sufferers have found beneficial.

Fish Oil

Lupus causes inflammation, which is largely responsible for the joint pain and stiffness lupus sufferers often times experience. Fish oil holds omega-3 fatty acids, which may stop the body from formulating the biochemicals that may cause this inflammation. Try adding more omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. You may likewise take supplements.

Omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed also appear to limit the inflammatory reaction associated with this condition. In cases of lupus, flaxseed oil not only reduces inflammation in the joints, skin and kidneys, but also lowers cholesterol levels that may be elevated by the disease.

Curcumin

Curcumin is an antioxidant compound from the Indian spice, turmeric. Many persons who requires medical care suffering from autoimmune diseases, like lupus, find that taking it two to three times a day helps to relieve a good deal of their aches and pains, including joint swelling and stiffness. Also, persons who felt a lupus flare coming on often times found that taken curcumin helped to decrease the severity of the flare.  Additional herbs that combat inflammation naturally are boswellia and ginger.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency has been connected to poor bone development, and in the last few years, studies have also linked it to autoimmune diseases such as lupus. People with lupus who are treated with steroids are at increased risk of having low levels of vitamin D.  People with lupus are advised to avoid the sun because the ultraviolet rays can trigger rashes, thus increasing the risk of deficiency. There is currently no cure for lupus, though research like the 2011 report in “Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatology” are connecting low levels of vitamin D and an increased risk in lupus development and symptoms.

B Vitamins

Lupus can cause fatigue and weakness. B Vitamins, especially Vitamin B12, may be useful in providing extra energy to patients with lupus. B vitamins help the body produce energy from foods; therefore deficiencies in B vitamins lead to weakness and lack of energy. B vitamins are also useful in production of healthy red blood cells, which helps prevent fatigue by increasing oxygenated blood in tissues and body organs.