June 15, 2009

A Vegan Diet can cure Lupus?

Dr. John McDougall believes it and has a story about it too.

http://www.drmcdougall.com/ his website

http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/star03.html Lupus cure

18 comments:

  1. I tried a vegan diet to cure lupus. No luck. But it is good for health,.we need that.

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  2. jessie from hb,

    That a vegan diet can cure Lupus is John McDougall MD's belief as well as many other professionals.

    I'm not sure I would believe a vegan diet could cure Lupus but I am with you that it could help you be healthier. I'm still not sure in researching vegan diets that we as humans need no animal products at all, but I KNOW that we as Americans eat WAY too much animal products and even if we lessened them just to be condiments rather than the meal we'd all be better for it too.
    (Check for food allergies too!)

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    1. Hi Toni :) I recently went full vegan last April, dairy was the last element in my diet that I eliminated. I was before that, 4 years without meat and it was fantastic. For a lot of people, a vegan diet would be hard to start or follow, but for me it's been wonderful. I've lost 40#, I have more energy, I sleep better, and blood pressure, blood work and the whole nine are doing great :) I am not a preachy vegan, I figure that just simply stating that I have changed my diet and that it has worked for me, is all people need to know. It is truly a personal decision to live this life and if others choose to follow than that's wonderful :)

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  3. it's true!!!! I was diagnosed with SLE in 2010 and I am completely 100% symptom free today. I went vegetarian in January of 2010 and Vegan November of 2011. It really has been the greatest blessing in my life. Give vegan a try! you can email me at a_fastle@yahoo.com for more information. :)

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    1. Anonymous,

      Glad the vegan diet helped you. Make sure you check your B12 levels occasionally to make sure they're OK.

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    2. b12 is the easiest thing to make sure its ok.. the least of concerns for someone who's suffered or suffering with lupus. hope to hear more stories of how vegan helps.. looking for alternatives for my daughter.

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    3. Anonymous,
      There are many doctors and people that have stories on the internet and in books about vegan diets. Read Neal Barnard' MD's books/articles, Joel Fuhrman MD's books. I personally am not completely vegan (though I try to keep meat to a minimum) I am also intolerant/allergic to eggs and dairy so those are out as well. Read Mark Hyman (not vegan? but allergen free). I think allergen free is THE MOST important!

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  4. I was diagnosed in 2006 with SLE after suffering with symptoms for over a decade. I was on methotrexate, prednisone, plaquenil, folic acid, Vitamin D, and it gos on and on. I was having liver enzyme level problems, kidney damage and all of the normal butterfly rashes, and other annoyances due to my low immune system. In addition, I suffered with chronic fatigue, nueropathy and fibromyalgia. I sat crying on my coach in pain in frustration about my physical ailment and limitation debating whether the drugs were hurting or helping me. It was that night that I researched to find an option to cease the lupus symptoms and to come off the toxic meds. I found "Eat to Live" and started following a vegetarian and now vegan diet. I have brought my inflammation down to normal levels, completely reversed my nueropathy, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and lupus rash just through my diet... and best of all- I am completely off meds and have been since January of 2011! I tested the theory of the vegan diet initially introducing meat and dairy, one at a time, back into my diet and found that I had immediate inflammation response based on these items. I would definitely tell any fellow Lupus sufferers to at least try it- afterall, if it meant that you regain health- is it much of a sacrafice?

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    1. Can you please tell me how you were able to get rid of the prednisone?

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    2. I did not take any of the prescribed medications for Lupus. If I had taken any pharmaceuticals, I would see a qualified holistic MD to help wean me off of any or all medications. Please find a doctor that you can trust and ALWAYS be monitored before stopping taking any medications.

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    3. I have Lupus and I am starting a vegan diet. Can you be in the sun now without concern? I get insanely itchy and then have an infection or "hit by a truck feeling" episode as a result of only a short time exposed to UVA.

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    4. I also have this issue... so awful. I've only been vegan a month, so, not sure about sun exposure yet, but, in general feeling much better with much less inflammation. Still afraid to go in the sun, but, as determined to try one day.

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  5. CSpencer,

    So glad you found "Eat to Live" and took the steps to change your diet and feel better. Keep in touch! Keep sharing your story that you may help others with Lupus.

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  6. Only going Anon because I really don't like people leaving nasty comments on my own blog.
    I was diagnosed with Lupus over 6 years ago. My doctor wanted to put me on steroids and I said no. He looked like he wanted to kill me when I walked out of his office lol. I went vegan and began noticing small changes within 2 days, and significant changes within about 1 week. Remained vegan for 1 year, added seafood the second year, and then the 3rd year went back to 'eating normal'. Now in my 6th year, I've decided to go back to eating vegan. Simply eating vegan will NOT HELP. It might improve things, but if you REALLY want to be symptom free, you need to actually be a PLANT-BASED vegan. I noticed some improvements the first time I went vegan, but I still ate vegan cakes and cookies, vegan candy, etc. Now that I eat plant-based 98% of the time, it feels like I'm perfectly healthy again like I was before the diagnosis. It won't work for every single person, but for the majority, yes, it will. I say that with absolute confidence and to all the docs out there who laughed at me....up yours.

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  7. Anon

    Yes if a person does decide to go vegan then it should be a plant based diet, low or no sugar, preferably no gluten, or dairy (and possibly no eggs if intolerant)

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    1. Toni, Veganism is the lack of consumption of animal products (Eggs and dairy). The theroy is that animal products can stimulate autoimmune response to cellular components similar to our own. The allergy argument is less important here, and plant based diet should be emphisized.

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  8. Best to do any change of diet with a medical professional that believes that diet change can help and can test for any nutritional deficiencies along the way! I have posts in which I include many holistic doctors that can help with this. Before picking a doctor make sure you research their protocol and you feel comfortable with that doctor/health practitioner.

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  9. Hi I was diagnosed with sle Lupus in december of last year.And Posturial orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) I had been very symptomatic since april of last year however. I was put on a drug called plaquenil and steroids since december, I had lung and kidney involvement. Was so sick and lost my hair. I am 29 years old with two kids. I went vegan 8 days ago and my kidney and lung pain is already gone. I still feel dizzy with the POTS but that will take time. I am still on my medication but i am back with the rheumy dr in july and am going to see how my bloods go then. but i feel good for the first time in months. i wouldnt reccommend anyone go off of their meds without consulting a doctor first however.

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