Lupus
Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus, is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease that affects multiple tissues and organs. It is characterized by widespread inflammation of small blood vessels and the development of autoantibodies. Symptoms of lupus include, malar (butterfly like) facial rash, fever, weight loss, arthritis, photosensitivity, neuropsychiatric disorders, accelerated atherosclerosis (heart disease), and kidney and lung disease. The course of the disease varies from patient to patient, from benign to rapidly progressive.
Conventional therapy varies depending on the organ system involved, but may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, hydroxychloroquine, and immunosuppressive agents such as cyclophosphamide and methotrexate. While immunosuppressive therapies frequently prolong the life of lupus patients, they also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Environmental Factors
At least 38 different drugs have been reported to cause a syndrome in humans that resembles lupus, although drug-induced lupus differs somewhat from the typical lupus in its clinical and laboratory presentation. The fact that different drugs can cause lupus raises the possibility that environmental chemicals and pollutants might play a role in the spontaneous form of the disease. Specific drugs implicated in lupus include aromatic amines (e.g., procainamide), or contain hydrazine groups (e.g., hydralazine, phenelzine), and similar compounds are present in the environment in the form of pesticides, plastics, and dyes to name a few.
In an observational study of African Americans living in Gainesville, Georgia who had been exposed to industrial emissions for a long period of time, the prevalence of lupus was 6-fold higher in that community, and the incidence was 9-fold higher; the highest values that had ever been reported.
In addition, patients with lupus tend to have a genetic variation that renders them to acetylate slowly. Thus chemicals like aromatic amines and hydrazines are metabolized by the acetylation pathway slowly and linger in the body causing toxicity. Consequently, individuals who are slow acetylators are at an increased risk of developing lupus from procainamide or hydralazine.
Dietary Factors
In one case report, three patients with long standing lupus resolved their symptoms by adopting a gluten-free diet. One of the patients had diagnosed celiac disease. Two of the three patients also had IGA deficiency. Additional lupus case reports describe resolved or improved lupus symptoms after identification and avoidance of allergenic foods.
Hormones
DHEA-sulphate levels have been found to be lower in patients with lupus and numerous studies have demonstrated a reduction in disease activity, and in some cases complete remission, during treatment with DHEA.
Testosterone: Levels of testosterone are low in patients with lupus, and the decrease is accentuated by the administration of steroid medication to control lupus in some patients. Treatment of testosterone in the animal model of lupus has produced good results.
Candidiasis
Several practitioners (my self included) have reported that some patients with lupus improved after undergoing an “anti-Candida” program of diet, supplements and antifungal medications. The diet involves avoidance of refined sugar, yeast containing foods and total carbohydrates.
At my clinic:
The patient with lupus will undergo several tests initially. These include: food allergies, heavy metals, toxins; stool tests for yeast or candida; and hormone levels including DHEA and testosterone. In addition an elimination diet of wheat, dairy, sugar and other allergenic foods is also prescribed. Several supplements that have been found to be helpful are also instituted. Once the above lab results arrive, treatments are prescribed for any present abnormalities. In doing so, I have been able to help patients with lupus, especially those that are willing to make dietary changes.