Home Health Center
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis - Diet
Diet for Sarcoidosis
Many experts believe that a comprehensive treatment plan which consists of medication, diet, and natural remedies is the best way to relieve symptoms of Sarcoidosis and prevent a relapse. Before beginning any new treatment or therapy, it is best to consult with your doctor as some supplements or herbs could interact with your medication and cause adverse reactions and severe complications. Suggestions on changing your diet in the event of Sarcoidosis:
- Eat a diet rich in antioxidants by increasing your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables
- Include foods high in calcium and magnesium such as brown rice, banana, potato, oats, rye, corn, barley, and soy
- Avoid foods that use refined white flour and sugar and over processed foods full of unhealthy fats
- Choose lean meats and cold-water fish over red meat
- In case you are vegetarian, opt for pulse, beans and legumes for your protein requirements
- Cut down on alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine
- Drink eight to ten glasses of water a day
- Include a daily multi-vitamin that contains vitamins A, C, E, and B as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and selenium
- Increase your intake of omega 3 fatty acids by eating more cold-water fish or walnuts and flaxseeds. Alternatively take a fish oil supplement once or twice a day. If you have been prescribed blood thinners, do not take any fish oil supplements without checking with your doctor first as it may increase the risk of bleeding
- Take a daily probiotic supplement to improve digestive health
Besides changing your diet, other natural remedies for Sarcoidosis include:
- Herbs such as turmeric and Cat's Claw can help reduce inflammation. You can have these herbs in the form of a tea, as an extract or tincture or in the form of capsules or powders. Regarding the proper dosages, it is best to consult with a trained herbal therapist rather than self-medicating.
References
- Sonya R. Hardin, Cat's claw: An Amazonian vine decreases inflammation in osteoarthritis, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Volume 13, Issue 1, February 2007, Pages 25-28, ISSN 1744-3881, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2006.10.003.