Can Fish Oil and Vitamin D Ease Lupus Symptoms?

Preliminary research suggests that those with lupus may feel better if they have vitamin D and omega-3 fats in their diet. Researchers claim the two nutrients or lack of these nutrients may lead to high risks of certain types of lupus and complications.

In one study, those with lupus and low blood levels of vitamin D seem to face a risk of kidney damage, more often than those with sufficient levels of this vitamin.

If you eat omega-3 fats contained in oily fish, you may have fewer flare-ups, and better quality sleep.

Neither study definitively finds that vitamin D and or fish oil can help with lupus. But, consuming both wouldn't hurt. Stacy Ardoin, a member of the Lupus Foundation of America’s Medical-Scientific Advisory Council, said, “It’s encouraging to see focused diet studies.”

A further understanding of lupus

Autoimmune diseases like lupus are hard to detect and diagnose, but if you have symptoms of lupus lasting longer than six weeks, they can damage parts of your body like the skin and joints and internal organs.

Lupus means something is wrong with your immune system. The immune system is the part of the body that fights viruses, bacteria, and germs. Standard immune systems produce proteins called “antibodies” that protect the body from these attackers. With lupus and autoimmunity problems your immune system is unable to tell the difference between these attackers and your body’s healthy tissues. The resulting problem is that autoantibodies attack and destroy your healthy tissues. These autoantibodies cause pain, damage, and inflammation in different parts of your body.

Lupus is not contagious, and it is not cancer. It is not related to HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In HIV or AIDS your immune system is underactive; in lupus your immune system is overactive. Lupus can be mild to life-threatening and should be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional.

Research and studies indicate that at least five million people throughout the world have some type of lupus. It strikes mostly women, but this is not always the case. Anyone can develop lupus. Over 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported each year.

What exactly is vitamin D?

Vitamin D is fondly known as the sunshine vitamin. It is produced by the body as a reaction to sun exposure, is found in foods, and managed with supplements. Vitamin D is best known for:

• Maintaining the health of teeth and bones
• Supporting the health of the immune system, nervous system, and brain
• Enhancing lung function and cardiovascular health
• Regulating insulin levels and aid diabetes management

Vitamin D is not a vitamin at all. Scientifically, it is a pro-hormone. Your body cannot create most vitamins and we get our vitamins from diet and supplements. Vitamin D can be synthesized by your body when sunlight hits skin. Sun exposure on bare skin for 5-10 minutes several times per week allows you to produce sufficient vitamin D. Vitamin D breaks down quickly, however, and stores run low in winter.

Read on to learn more about how vitamin D and fish oils can be beneficial for lupus patients.