EAT MORE OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID RICH FOODS IF YOU HAVE #lupus OR ANY OTHER SYSTEMIC AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER: SHARE with anyone who has a systemic autoimmune disorder. Anyone who reads my posts, book, or who have heard me talk know that I advocate eating a healthy diet that includes foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Several human and mice lupus studies suggest decreased lupus disease activity when foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are ingested. Now a study focused on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) shows less development of RA in women who eat diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Why pay attention to an RA study if you have lupus?: - Both are related systemic autoimmune disorders that share common genetic causes. - Both have been shown to share some common triggers (such as low vitamin D levels and smoking) Here is a link to the study: ard.bmj/content/early/2013/07/25/annrheumdis-2013-203338.abstract Bottom line of what it showed: Women who ingested higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acid rich foods (also called long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, n-3 fatty acids, and ω-3 fatty acids) had a 35% lower chance of developing RA compared to women who ate diets lower in these anti-inflammatory acids. Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to decrease cardiovascular events (heart attacks, strokes), which are the #1 cause of death in people who have lupus... and they also decrease the risk of developing dementia/memory problems. Strengths of the study: It is a prospective study with a large number of women in the study (32,232 women). What to do? - Of course... eat more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids!! - ALSO ... RA and SLE are actually genetic diseases, turned on by triggers in the environment. In my book I give suggestions on what the children of people who have lupus should do in order to decrease their chances of developing lupus. I would add ... get them to eat more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids in that list! What foods are high in omega-3 fatty acids?: - Cold water fishes (e.g. salmon, mackerel). Make sure they are low mercury sources - Walnuts (also, a Harvard study last year showed that people who eat small amounts of nuts daily live significantly longer ... I buy big bags from Costco inexpensively and eat a small handful daily) - Flaxseed has the highest concentration of omega-3 fatty acids than any other food!! (I drink a chocolate protein shake every AM and most lunches and include 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed... gives a nutty flavor to it. I also add frozen berries that are high in antioxidants.) Here is a link to my protein shake method (this was before I started adding fruit.. Id recommend adding some berries for a healthier version: https://youtube/watch?v=4trTZ_xXXJc An aside comment... notice how this study was first submitted to the British Medical Journal in January 2013? It took almost 2 years to get published? That is a long time, but not uncommon. It takes so long to get studies properly evaluated in order to ensure they are a good study. It is also a reason why it takes so long to get new medicines researched and approved. Thank goodness the NIH has put lupus treatment studies on a fast tract beginning this year!!!! Commit yourself to start eating healthier today! SHARE with everyone you know who has a systemic autoimmune disorder! by Donald Thomas, MD lupusencyclopedia@gmail facebook/lupusencyclopedia photo credits: passthesushi, blog.gymlion, thesilverpen
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 19:59:42 +0000
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