Alternative Lupus Treatments

Don't get drugged, get cured.

Learn The Truth About Lupus Treatments

Native Remedies

Alternative and Complementary Therapies:

Because of the nature and cost of the medications used to treat lupus and the potential for serious side effects, many patients seek other ways of treating the disease. Some alternative approaches people have tried include special diets, nutritional supplements, fish oils, ointments and creams, chiropractic treatment, message therapy, acupuncture, reiki and other energy medicine, homeopathy and holistic modalities.

Although these methods may not be harmful in and of themselves, and may be associated with symptomatic or psychosocial benefit, no research to date shows that they affect the disease process or prevent organ damage. Some alternative or complementary approaches may help the patient cope or reduce some of the stress associated with living with a chronic illness.

If the doctor feels the approach has value and will not be harmful, it can be incorporated into the patient's treatment plan. However, it is important not to neglect regular health care or treatment of serious symptoms. An open dialogue between the patient and physician about the relative values of complementary and alternative therapies allows the patient to make an informed choice about treatment options.

I am a firm believer in Omega 3 Fish oils for minimizing my Lupus symptoms, and, although I do take fish oil supplements daily, I also switched to a diet of mostly fish only about three years ago.

The results are fascinating -- and I saw (and am still seeing!) improvements in my quality of life, much less pain, inflammation and fatigue, which I find, are some of the most debilitating symptoms of lupus.

I went from being severely affected by Lupus in my daily life to actually joining the gym and noticing a huge difference in what I could do, simply by increasing my intake of fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines. ect. Learn more ...

Since I don't get outside much ( especially not in the summer sun) I was fortunate enough to find an online store where I order all of my fresh fish requirements, monthly. Whispy.com has now partnered with Mike Mondello's SeaBear Smokehouse in order to educate our Internet audience about Omega 3 fish oils and the great benefits and to provide the best fresh seafood in the US at special discount prices.

 I've also posted several of my favorite seafood recipes in our Community Recipe Collections.

If you are not able to get enough Omega 3 in your diet through fish alone, you may want to discuss the possibility of supplementing your diet with a quality Omega 3 soft gel with your local health care professional.

Over the past 40 years, an increasing number of physiological functions have been attributed to omega-3 fatty acids, including movement of calcium and other substances into and out of cells, relaxation and contraction of muscles, inhibition and promotion of clotting, regulation of secretion of substances that include digestive enzymes and hormones, control of fertility, cell division, and growth. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids may play an important role in brain development and function. Some evidence has suggested that omega-3 fatty acids in the diet may protect against heart attack and stroke, as well as certain inflammatory diseases like arthritis, lupus, and asthma. The major dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids in the U.S. population are fish, fish oil, vegetable oils (principally canola and soybean), walnuts, wheat germ, and some dietary supplements.

Natural Supplements I personally use for Treating my Lupus Symptoms

Immune System Booster

Immune System Enhancer - Proven Natural Herbal Alternative, No Antibiotic Resistance or Side Effects. ImmunityPlus is a blend of African, Asian and other herbs specifically formulated to optimize immune functioning. ImmunityPlus is a potent, complex remedy that contains ingredients to provide a wide range of benefits to those suffering from depressed immune systems or wish to boost their optimal functioning. This includes a liver tonic; immune system strengthening; improved body functioning; detoxification; and enhanced convalescence.

Immutol is the most proven, most effective natural immunity enhancer available anywhere.
Immutol activates specific immune cells called macrophages that are the front line of defense against invading microbes, thereby enhancing your immune system's natural ability to defend against pathogens. Immutol is not a drug, vitamin, herb, or mineral, yet it can activate your entire immune system more fully and safely than any known substance. The only ingredient contained in IMMUTOL® is highly purified Norwegian Beta-1,3/1,6-Glucan (NBG). For more information regarding product history and research, please visit www.immunocorp.com.

Modified Citrus Pectin Powder - Citrus pectin is a plant fiber found in the white part of the rind of citrus fruits. Modified citrus pectin (MCP) has been shown to inhibit cancer cell metastasis, lower cholesterol, and remove toxic metals from the body.

Olive Leaf Extract - The extract of the leaf of the olive tree. Supports your body against cellular toxins and bacteria. Its natural protective power cleanses your body of dangerous bacteria while detoxifying cellular toxins. Olive Leaf Extract also contains important anti-oxidants and the same blood pressure-lowering ingredients found in olive oil.

Ease Joint Pain -  Glucosamine is an amino sugar produced from the shells of chitin (shellfish) and is a key component of cartilage. Glucosamine works to stimulate joint function and repair. Rebuilds strong, healthy joint cartilage .Improve joint flexibility. Chondrocytes to clean away old proteoglycans and collagen plus produce new ones. When any one of these elements is missing, cartilage can deteriorate.

Immunoguard + Zinc Lozenges - Guard against disease-including colds and flu-by attacking invading pathogens. Regulates the amount of iron in your bloodstream-and helps starve harmful viruses. This one-of-a-kind formula - extracted from the highest quality sources - contains lactoferrin and colostrum, the natural immune-boosting nutrients found in mother's milk.

The Life Extension Foundation Disease Prevention And Treatment Book

Disease Prevention and Treatment book that makes specific recommendations about combining mainstream therapies with diet, nutrients, hormones and unique medications to provide patients with their best chance of preventing or gaining control over serious medical disorders. The fourth edition of Disease Prevention and Treatment provides over 1,500 pages of concise information about therapies that are documented in the scientific literature, but are not routinely incorporated into clinical medical practice. Many of the recommendations in this latest edition of Disease Prevention and Treatment provide "inside" information about what innovative physicians are doing to prevent and treat the degenerative diseases of aging.

Lupus and Treatment?

"Lupus is a complex disease, and its cause is unknown." That's a direct quote from the National Institutes of Health. The cause is unknown, and equally unknown is an effective way of treating it. The sad truth is that all medications for autoimmune diseases are, thus far, experimental and highly dangerous. At a loss for what else to do, countless doctors are using steroids, anti-cancer drugs, anti-malarial drugs, immunosuppressants, and whatever else they can think of to try out on people.

They have prescriptions to try and alleviate symptoms and have very limited success in doing even that. What these drugs do, more often than not, is to create more serious problems for people whose systems are already over-medicated to begin with. If your physician fits this description, I suggest you find a more enlightened one. In the end, you are solely responsible for your own healthcare.

Autoimmune diseases, regardless of what the doctors eventually label them after their tests, share many things in common: 1) they're manifestations of an immune system gone haywire; 2) their causes are a mystery; 3) their usual prescribed treatments are chemical in nature and don't work; 4) the combination of the side-effects of the medications and the progression of the diseases eventually lead to organ failure and death.

Are you tired of turning your body into a chemical cesspool? Thousands of lives have been ruined by the use of "chemical warfare" against autoimmune diseases.

There is a better way. The body is a miracle designed by a loving Creator. It has self-healing systems that are too complex for us to understand, much less manipulate. Treat it with the respect it deserves and feed it the best nutrition on the planet, instead of drugs and chemicals. That is more in keeping with the design of the human body. Given the right nutrition, the body often responds in truly amazing ways.

The following are alternative treatments that have worked beneficially for ME.

Proper Nutrition
Massage
Acupuncture
Alternative treatments
Supplements

Is acupuncture helpful to people with lupus?

There have been anecdotal reports from people stating that they received acupuncture and believed they benefited from it. This is an area of alternative medicine that requires further controlled scientific studies before we can say whether or not acupuncture is helpful in treating the symptoms of lupus. However, there are studies that show acupuncture can be effective in back pain and Fibromyalgia.

Resources: "Can Acupuncture Help Lupus?" by Clayton E. Spivey, Licensed Acupuncturist. Lupus News, Vol. 16, Number 3, 1996.
NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine:
Acupuncture Information and Resources Consensus Report on Acupuncture

Alternative Lupus Treatments Resources

Livingston Foundation Medical Center in San Diego is run by Kenneth C. Forror, M.D. He also treats allergies, arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma. There is a 10-day comprehensive program which includes vaccines, nutrition, diet. A 2-day prevention program is also offered. Their website is http://www.lfmc.net/. (888) 777-7321.