The 5 Best Vitamins for Lupus Patients (Vitamin C and B12?)

What are the Best Vitamins for Lupus patients?

The best Vitamins for Lupus patients include the following:

Vitamin E (to help alleviate the symptoms)
Vitamin A (has an anti-inflammatory effect)

Vitamin B (to help improve the clinical symptoms)
Vitamin C (acts as an antioxidant and helps with iron absorption)
Vitamin D (helps with downgrading the risk of osteoporosis since most Lupus patients tend to avoid the sun to prevent aggravating their symptoms which may lead to a significant vitamin D deficiency)

Additionally, it’s imminent to cut down on caffeine and consult your doctor or dietitian on the best nutritious plan suitable for the disease.

Is there a relationship between Vitamin C and Lupus?

According to recent scientific evidence, there is an imminent relationship between Vitamin C and Lupus manifested in its antioxidant properties which a played a critical role in:

Modulating immune function

Regulating the release of inflammatory proteins
Decreased oxidative stress (by protecting against free radicals)
Suppressed the production of Lupus autoantibody (which relieves the severity of the disease)

Thus, the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C supplements for Lupus patients is 1 gram, or 500 milligrams when combined with other vitamins (ex. Vitamin E).

Besides supplements, citrus fruits, pepper, and broccoli are some examples of natural foods that are rich in Vitamin C to include in your diet.

In the video below, Dr. Gus shows what supplements you need to take if you want to treat lupus naturally (including Vitamin C):

This is our recommended Vitamin C supplement (Amazon’s Choice):

NOW Supplements, Vitamin C-1,000 with Rose Hips, Sustained Release, Antioxidant Protection*, 250 Tablets

What is the relationship between Lupus and Vitamin B12 deficiency?

There is a complementary relationship between Lupus and Vitamin B12 deficiency in the sense that people who have Lupus will also have a significantly low concentration of Vitamin B12.

In fact, according to a study done in 2004 on Lupus patients, it was revealed that they had both anemia and Vitamin B12 deficiency. This can lead to the following symptoms:

Impaired vision or vision loss
Pale skin
Fatigue and tiredness

Feeling dizzy
Depression
Memory loss

Gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea, constipation, and gas)
Shortness of breath

The best food sources for Vitamin B include:

Red meat
Liver
Fortified cereals

Cheese
Eggs
Avocado

What is the appropriate Vitamin B12 dosage for Lupus?

The appropriate Vitamin B12 dosage for Lupus hasn’t been recorded in the literature as of yet. However, the standard recommended Vitamin B12 dosage for adults is 2.4 micrograms. The dosage may be different from one patient to another.

Thus, it’s pivotal to consult your doctor and perform a screening test of the amount of Vitamin B12 in your blood to get prescribed an adequate dosage and form that best fits your case.

What’s the link between low Vitamin D and Lupus?

There’s a close link between low Vitamin D and Lupus where severe deficiency levels are very common in more than 50% of its patients. This is mainly due to the photosensitive nature of Lupus patients and how they try to avoid the sun to reduce their flare-ups.

However, this is presumably treatable by the appropriate supplementation of Vitamin D for Lupus patients.

According to a study done in 2018, Vitamin D supplementation can significantly improve clinical outcomes of Lupus patients.

Which Vitamins to avoid with Lupus?

As of yet, there have been no reports for Vitamins to avoid with Lupus. However, some vitamins when taken in excess can cause harmful effects. These include the following:

Vitamin A and beta-carotene (which may reduce ‘HDL – Cholesterol’ also known as good cholesterol)
Vitamin E (which has been involved with heart diseases)

Thus, it’s recommended to take your vitamin source from natural products rather than supplementation and to follow the nutritious and supplement guidelines offered by your healthcare provider or dietitian.

Can Lupus patients take Zinc?

Lupus patients can take Zinc for its positive impact on the immune and musculoskeletal systems. Additionally, it’s believed that it can promote healthy skin as well.

This finding was also concurred by another study conducted in 2018, which showed that people with reduced Zinc levels in their bodies are more at risk of developing the autoimmune disease than others who have adequate Zinc levels. Hence, proving the impact that Zinc has on the immune system.

What are some Holistic treatments for Lupus?

Holistic treatments for Lupus focus on a person’s diet, exercise, and environment to promote their health and well-being. This was also backed up by several studies that support the following Holistic treatments for Lupus treatment:

Take care of the gut-lupus connection by choosing a healthy diet of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods (ex. Fruits, vegetables, avocado, nuts, etc.,) and drinking lots of water or green tea.
Regular exercising
Getting enough sleep

Reducing stress and resting
Protecting the skin by (avoiding sunlight, wearing sunscreen and protective clothes, avoiding hot showers, chemicals, and perfumes)
Taking nutritious supplements

Meditating
Acupuncture
Massage therapy

Is there a relationship between Garlic and Lupus?

The relationship between Garlic and Lupus is extremely counterproductive. This is because Garlic contains allicin, ajoene, and thiosulfinates which stimulate the immune system to recruit white blood cells and produce an inflammatory response.

Since Lupus patients already have an overactive immune system they should completely avoid adding garlic to any of their diet plans.

Is there a relationship between Lupus and Turmeric?

There is indeed a relationship between Lupus and Turmeric, and it’s a fairly beneficial one. This was proven through pre-clinical research done on lab mice which revealed that Curcumin (the active ingredient in Turmeric) has a positive effect on Lupus patients with no reported side effects.

Here are some of the benefits of Turmeric supplements:

Inhibits autoantibodies
Regulates immune reactions

Relieves inflammatory symptoms
Protects the skin
Repairs the kidneys

Improves fatigue
Fights depression

Turmeric can also be taken with milk and honey. On a side note though, Turmeric may not be suitable for people having gall bladder diseases.

Is there a Herbal Remedy for Lupus?

There’s a Herbal Remedy for Lupus in Basil or Tulsi. These are known to promote good health and alleviate fatigue. You can either chew on them or drink them as tea.

Similarly, another Chinese Herbal Remedy for Lupus named ZSQ has been tested and the results came back in favor of using it as it has shown great safety and efficacy. The results revealed that it played a critical role in reducing the symptoms and disease flare-ups.

Is there any Essential Oil for Lupus?

An Essential Oil for Lupus carries a dual role in minimizing symptoms of the disease when applied topically on the skin’s affected area and it can also be utilized for aromatherapy as a way to decrease anxiety and improve sleep.

Here’s a list of some of the best Essential Oils for Lupus:

Bergamot
Clary sage

Frankincense
Helichrysum
Pine

Lemon
Copaiba

Nonetheless, Essential Oils shouldn’t be considered as a cure but as a way to alleviate the symptoms and manage the disease to further improve a patient’s quality of life.

What’s the benefit of Coconut Oil for Lupus?

The great benefit of Coconut Oil for Lupus is summarized in its functions and these are:

Enhancing digestion
Regulating the immune system

Lowers cholesterol
Prevent flare-ups caused by immune system overstimulation
Improves skin and hair health

Adding virgin Coconut Oil to your meals and beverages can prove very beneficial if not taken in excess.

What’s the relationship between Flaxseed Oil and Lupus?

The relationship between Flaxseed Oil and Lupus is beneficial and according to recent findings it’s considered to have positive effects in treating associated renal and inflammatory conditions.

They are also known to be a nutritious source of Omega 3 and is recommended to sprinkle some of these seeds onto your cereal or yogurt to gain the benefits. Additionally, a diet containing Flaxseed Oil is also known as an ‘anti-autoimmune’ diet.

What’s the relationship between Krill Oil and Lupus?

The relationship between Krill Oil and Lupus is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the oil which makes it a promising new candidate for alleviating some of the symptoms associated with Lupus.

Moreover, Krill Oil is considered one of the best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids with an additional antioxidant property that destroys free radicals and improves overall health. New research is underway to establish the beneficial effects of Krill Oil in treating Lupus.

As a bonus, Krill Oil supplements don’t have the fishy smell that other Omega-3 supplements have.

What are the best supplements for Lupus patients?

The best supplements for Lupus patients are the one that improves their health state and alleviates their symptoms, these include the following:

Vitamin B supplements (B1, B2, B6, and B12 – these fight fatigue and stress)
Iron supplements (enhance energy, immune function, and body processes)

Citrulline (boosts energy and fights fatigue)
Magnesium (for muscle and nerve function)
Vitamin C and A (antioxidant and improves immunity)

Vitamin E (prevents nerve degradation and fights inflammation)
Vitamin D (for bone health and immunity)
Vitamin K (for blood vessels and bone health function)

Omega 3 (for its anti-inflammatory effects)
Calcium (for bone and neurological health)

Can you use Collagen Supplements for Lupus?

Although there hasn’t been any scientific evidence to support the use of Collagen supplements for Lupus there have been numerous patient experiences who reported being more active after using Collagen supplements daily.

Furthermore, it has been associated with several health functions like:

Relieving joint pain
Increasing bone mass

Making skin more healthy
Reduction dryness

Can you use Supplements for Lupus fatigue?

There are a handful of available supplements for Lupus fatigue, these generally have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These include:

Vitamins (A, B, C, E, and K)
Iron
Citrulline

Magnesium
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs)

But these supplements are not enough to relieve fatigue, there should be a combined strategy of a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and stress-free meditation treatments as well.

Are there supplements for Lupus hair loss?

Supplements for Lupus hair loss can include any of the following:

Biotin
Vitamins C and D

Iron
Zinc
Dehydroepiandrosterone hormone or DHEA

Folic acid

Since this wasn’t validated yet by science, it’s pivotal to consult with your doctor before taking any of these supplements because they may interact with other medications for Lupus and produce unwanted side effects.

What’s the relationship between Melatonin Supplements and Lupus?

The relationship between Melatonin Supplements and Lupus is still under investigation for their safety. However, there is plenty of evidence to support its impact in reducing oxidative stress and fighting inflammation.

Another benefit of supplementation would be to counteract the effect of the disease by reducing its concentration, this was proved in a study conducted in 2013 that revealed an inverse relationship between Lupus and Melatonin levels advocating the necessity of supplementation.

Want to know more?

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Lupus

Sources

This article makes use of information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The 5 Best Vitamins for Lupus Patients (Vitamin C and B12?)