One of the cruelest health conditions a person could ever have to deal with is what’s called an autoimmune disorder, which is a disease in which your immune system actually turns against you, mistakenly attacking otherwise healthy parts or processes of your body. The still-mysterious disease known as lupus fits into that category.
Here we take a look at the ramifications of this despicable chronic condition, and discuss four applicable supplements with the potential to mitigate symptoms and improve quality of life for adults who have lupus.
Tracking Chronic Disease: Lupus
Chronic diseases are a major leading cause of illness, financial strain, disability, and death in the U.S. If you have been following our Tracking and Treating Chronic Diseases series, this is not news to you. About 6 in 10 Americans have some form of chronic disease.
The prevalence and overall impacts of chronic disease have gone up in recent decades, in part due to longer average lifespans. Moreso, lifestyle factors have had a huge influence on the occurrence of chronic diseases in men and women. Poor nutritional habits, physical inactivity, and other habits are the leading causes of disease. Genetic and environmental factors also play a role in the development of many chronic diseases.
One chronic disease in which genetics and environmental factors have a huge influence is lupus. Scientists believe that lupus often develops when a genetic predisposition to the disease is triggered by environmental factors. However, the specific causes for an individual’s case are often undetermined. Common triggers could include an infection, certain medications, and even sunlight.
Lupus is more common in women than in men, and onset is most common between the ages of 15 and 45. It is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the body and causes inflammation. Lupus is chronic and often lasts a lifetime after it develops. Symptoms and complications are usually localized to parts of the body affected by inflammation. Therefore, no two cases of lupus are exactly the same. Symptoms include fatigue, joint pain and stiffness, chest pain, shortness of breath, and a butterfly rash on the face. Further complications can occur in affected organ systems, including the kidneys, brain and nervous system, and the lungs.
Supplements to Help Those with Lupus
Specific supplements are believed to help those with lupus because of specific nutrient needs, and/or because of the properties of these specific supplements. Any person with lupus should consult their medical care provider before taking a supplement, since some vitamins or supplements could actually have a negative effect on the body of someone with this condition.
Vitamin D is potentially helpful for those with lupus for a couple of reasons. First, it supports the immune system by helping to regulate inflammation. Secondly, lupus patients are frequently found deficient in vitamin D on account of regularly avoiding the sun’s UV rays. Research shows that lupus patients who took vitamin D3 for a year or more experienced decreases in disease activity and fatigue. Vitamin D is a choice supplement for those with lupus.
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have been found to reduce inflammation and, in particular, help individuals with lupus (and other autoimmune conditions). They can also support healthy blood flow and vascular function. Research suggests that taking omega-3s can reduce lupus symptom flare-ups, reduce fatigue, and improve quality of life.
Vitamin C is potentially helpful for lupus because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. By reducing inflammation, a vitamin C supplement could regulate immune function and reduce lupus symptoms, and also prevent cellular oxidative damage.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant and the chemical precursor for glutathione, a tripeptide that is commonly depleted in blood cells in lupus patients. Because of this, NAC has been studied and found to be beneficial for those with lupus. At least one study shows that regular NAC supplementation multiple times daily led to a decrease in markers of oxidative stress. Other research shows a positive correlation between NAC supplementation and a reduction of mental health struggles in lupus patients, including hyperactivity and inattention. These findings mean NAC is potentially effective for reducing symptoms and improving quality of life in those with lupus.
Lupus is a unique chronic disease because of its potential complications and the variance among lupus cases. All four of these supplements have properties that could potentially help someone with the condition. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplement for lupus.