The kinds of foods that you eat when you have an auto-immune disorder are extremely integral to your health and well-being and, therefore, should not be overlooked. Some foods have added benefits and could improve your condition, whereas some cause increase inflammation and worsen it. Cutting out certain foods reduces the ability of bad gut bacteria to compromise the intestinal lining, reducing the effects of autoimmune systems. To make it easy for you, we have made a list of the top foods you should not eat if you have an auto-immune disorder.
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What Is An Auto-Immune Disorder?
An auto-immune disorder is when your body mistakenly starts to attack your body. Your immune system is supposed to protect you against bacteria and viruses. It knows the difference between your cells and foreign cells, but if you have an auto-immune disorder, it may not tell the difference. What happens then is that your immune system will mistaken parts of your body such as your skin or joints as foreign and start attacking these cells. There are so many different kinds of auto-immune disorders; some attack only one organ, while some, such as lupus, attack the entire body.
Some common auto-immune diseases are rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, Addison’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, etc.
Foods You Should Eat If You Have An Auto-Immune Disorder
In general, it is best to have a balanced diet if you have such a condition. Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, lettuce, etc., are rich in antioxidants and have nutrients such as Vitamin A, C, etc. These will boost your immunity and support your auto-immune disorder management. Salmon is also great in reducing inflammation and will reduce your risk of certain auto-immune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Some fruits like avocados and blueberries are also great for such disorders.
Sugary Foods
Sugary foods are a big no for you if you have an auto-immune disorder. It may be tough for you to cut them out initially, but studies conducted in the past have shown that a high sugar diet can worsen some auto-immune diseases such as Crohn’s disease. Whether it’s sodas, pastries, juices, cakes, or anything, they will cause inflammation. If you can’t cut them out completely, have them occasionally.
Nightshade Vegetables
Nightshade vegetables such as peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, etc., are usually considered healthy; however, if you have an autoimmune disease, they can worsen your condition. These vegetables contain certain substances called alkaloids, which, as studies have suggested, can raise your intestinal inflammation. They also consist of solanine which can cause allergic responses as well as pain in some auto-immune conditions.
Eggs
Eggs and autoimmune diseases do not go well together. According to a study conducted in 2017, removing eggs from your diet can help you improve the symptoms of your inflammatory bowel disease. If you have sensitivity to eggs, you should cut them out even more, to make your symptoms a lot worse.
Foods With Gluten
Foods that contain gluten, such as pasta, bread, etc., are a no-go for auto-immune diseases. This is especially for those who have sensitivity to gluten or those with celiac disease. If you have celiac disease, you must avoid foods with gluten at all costs as they can cause diarrhea, skin rashes, nerve damage if not treated. As awareness about these conditions is on the rise, there are so many gluten-free options for you to choose from!
Preservatives Or Artificial Flavors
You may not be aware of it, but many foods that you eat have MSG in them. This is a chemical ingredient used to enhance the flavor of foods. It is known to trigger inflammation, so you should avoid it completely if you suffer from an auto-immune disease. Try having natural or organic foods as they are much healthier and safer for you.
Dairy
Dairy should also be avoided if you suffer from an autoimmune disease or are already sensitive to dairy. Try not to have dairy foods such as yogurt, milk, butter, or cheese because they can aggravate your condition, thereby lowering your immunity.
Alcohol
Alcohol isn’t recommended for those who suffer from auto-immune diseases; however, it may still be okay in moderation. Red wine, for example, has been known to find resveratrol which has anti-inflammatory effects. Consuming too much alcohol can damage your liver and cause inflammation.
Refined Carbohydrates
Refined carbs, just like sugar, are not a good idea if you suffer from auto-immune diseases. This is particularly if you have lupus. Refined carbs are much harder to digest, and digesting them could trigger the release of cytokines in the body.
Foods High in Cholesterol and Saturated Fats
For some auto-immune diseases such as lupus, you should especially avoid Foods High in Cholesterol and Saturated Fats. This is because the risk of getting a heart attack is about 50 times more in people with lupus, so if you do suffer from this condition, you need to be extra careful about the kind of foods you eat and avoid those that are connected to heart disease, in particularly fried foods and red meat.
Vegetable Oils
Vegetable oils can cause inflammation, and this is why you should be careful to avoid them, especially if you have lupus. It may even make your pain go away once you eliminate it from your diet. Some that you should avoid include canola, cottonseed, palm kernel, rapeseed, corn safflower, soybean, or sunflower oils.
Not eating these foods will help your condition instead of worsening it. It can even reduce your pain and make you feel better. Avoid them as best as you can and see the results!
