Proper diet and nutrition is necessary for people with lupus especially when there are symptoms such as kidney problems, osteoporosis or high blood pressure. You may then need to go on a low salt or low protein diet.

It is necessary to nourish your body and maintain as much strength and vitality as you can.

If you are well nourished, your body will be stronger and will help fight infection.

A good diet will help you to respond to lupus treatment better by resisting the side effects.

There are 6 basic nutrients that your body needs and are grouped under macronutrients and micronutrients.

The macronutrients, so called because our bodies require them daily in large amounts, consist of water, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The micronutrients, needed only in small amounts are the vitamins and minerals.

Your source of energy comes from the macronutrients but you need the micronutrients for normal body growth, maintenance and tissue repair.

Determine the foods that make you feel drained of energy, bloated or give you some side effects and limit the amount you eat or avoid them. These may include tea, coffee, chocolates, eggs, citrus fruits and foods containing salicylates such as apples, cherries and broccoli.

Take fish oil or have many servings of different type of fish per week, as fish oil has been found to be anti-inflammatory.  Vitamin B12 and folic acid are good for anaemia while vitamin D helps with thinning bones.

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