Lupus
erythematosus (L.E.) affects mainly young women, usually
although it may start already in children and usually continues
into old age. Commonly one differentiates between a milder
form with only skin problems, cutaneous L.E. and a more
severe type with a multitude of distressing symptoms, called
systemic L.E.
The
first indication of lupus is often a characteristic reddish-purple
butterfly-shaped rash across the nose and the cheeks. Such
usually symmetrical skin reddening (erythema) may also appear
on other skin areas, usually those exposed to the sun, such
as forearms and backs of hands, behind the ears, the palms.
These lesions usually have well defined borders; they may
persist or recur for many years. Eventually these skin patches
may become scaly, with shiny grey scales, they dry out and
the skin becomes hard and atrophies.
Also
the lips and mouth tissue is commonly affected, becoming
red and inflamed and eventually ulcerated. Frequently there
is loss of scalp hair, generally and in patches (alopecia).
Skin lesions may also become oedematous with resulting blistering
and ulceration.
In
general terms, L.E. is classified as a collagen vascular
disease or as an inflammatory connective tissue disorder.
Systemic L.E. can display great similarity to rheumatoid
arthritis with acute poly-arthritis, but joint deformity
is uncommon. Usually there is kidney deterioration, sometimes
leading to nephritis and complete kidney failure.
Other
symptoms may include inflammation of the heart muscle, lung
problems such as pleurisy are common, there may be swelling
of the spleen and lymph glands, fever, fatigue, weight loss,
anaemia, muscle pain, epilepsy, high blood pressure and
stroke. Frequently there are neurological and psychiatric
symptoms, especially psychoses and severe depression. Also
gastrointestinal problems are usually pronounced.
CAUSES
While
the cause of L.E. is not known to conventional medicine,
it is largely assumed that a latent virus may become activated
by sunlight, chemical exposure or infection. Somehow this
is then to trigger an autoimmune response or it may result
from unknown causes. Anyway, there is an increase of antibodies
against various protein fractions and a resulting inflammation
of connective tissue. Overall, however, the immune system
is impaired with a decrease in the numbers of white blood
cells.
Conventional
treatment is usually symptomatic directed towards reducing
inflammations and pain and combating lung infections. There
are often severe side effects from the commonly used drugs.
More recently the artificial sweetener aspartame has been
claimed to be a frequent cause of systemic lupus.
Allergies
and Deficiencies
In
natural medicine it is recognised that the symptoms of L.E.
are typical not only of a hidden microbial infection commonly
caused by antibiotics and other drugs, but also of long-term
hidden food allergies and chemical sensitivities in combination
with severe chronic vitamin deficiencies. This makes the
close relationship to rheumatoid arthritis understandable
that has similar causes.
Patients
with systemic L.E. have been shown to have antibodies to
numerous food fractions, which generally means that they
are allergic to these foods, a finding which is ignored
in conventional therapy. In addition, lupus sufferers also
have a multitude of incompatibility reactions to foods without
showing a direct immunological reaction to these. Finally,
it is known that there are frequently drug and chemical
related reactions in L.E. patients.
The
nature of the chronic multiple allergy reactions in L.E.
appear to be determined and modified by superimposed vitamin
deficiencies. Niacin or nicotinamide plays the most prominent
role, followed by vitamins B1, B6, C and E, in specific
cases also vitamins B2, B12, pantothenic acid and folic
acid. The most important minerals are zinc manganese, magnesium
and selenium.
The
recognised disease resulting from nicotinamide deficiency
is pellagra. However, a list of typical symptoms reads almost
exactly like a description of systemic L.E. Most striking
is the appearance of the same symmetric dermatitis on skin
exposed to the sun, especially the red-purple butterfly
pattern over nose and cheeks. These lesions may later become
dry, scaly, brownish, inelastic and atrophic. The inflammation
of the mouth tissue is the same with later ulceration; there
are the severe gastro-intestinal problems and the neurological
and psychiatric symptoms.
However,
because of the common coexistence of multiple vitamin deficiencies
and multiple hidden allergies, L.E. cannot be cured just
by using nicotinamide supplements or making a double blind
clinical trial with one or the other nutrient or testing
for this or that allergy. With continued L.E. the body usually
becomes too insensitive to react to single or limited challenges.
Instead, a comprehensive treatment program must be followed.
Patients
who followed such a program became free of symptoms and
have remained on 'long-term remissions'. However, they may
deteriorate again if they adopt a conventional processed
food diet. While remissions are common with lupus, these
are usually only temporary. Only a permanent improvement
in diet and lifestyle can make these remissions permanent.
Hypersensitivity
reactions to environmental chemicals are common and include
especially petrochemicals as from car exhaust fumes, gas
heaters and solvent fumes, but also the emissions from a
wide range of plastics, synthetic carpet, rubber, foam mattresses
and the formaldehyde from furniture glues, also the smell
of mothballs, chlorine and even strong and persistent natural
smells as from new pine furniture. Therefore, try to live
as much as possible in a natural, unpolluted environment,
especially in regard to your home and work place.
CLINICAL
STUDIES
Various
scientific publications show the great influence of allergies
in L.E. One report states that the incidence of allergy
in the investigated group of 63 patients was higher than
in any other autoimmune disease with the highest rate of
different types of allergic manifestations per patient.
There
is also a case report of a 36-year old female with severe
systemic L.E. She recovered on a one week fast. The sedimentation
rate fell from a high 63 to a normal 15 mm and joint stiffness
and swellings disappeared. With test exposure to specific
foods and chemicals the symptoms temporarily returned.
Another
report gives details of 4 patients with full remission on
food and chemical elimination diets with another 70 patients
on the road to recovery. In addition to allergy testing,
high-level supplements have been used in this study. Other
reports point to the benefits of a diet low in fat, beef,
milk products and calories.
In
animal experiments vitamin A deficiency was found to accelerate
the development of lupus symptoms. 3 patients with skin
lesions flaring up with sun exposure were cleared with additional
beta-carotene, while others benefited from several grams
daily of pantothenic acid.
Vitamin
E supplementation gave very good results, especially with
skin manifestations. In one study patients responded well
to 900 - 1600 I.U. of vitamin E but not to 300 I.U. Sometimes
additional selenium was helpful. In another study all 3
patients who failed to respond to vitamin E had complete
clearing of lesions with twice weekly injections of 1000
mcg of vitamin B12 for 6 weeks. In one reported case symptoms
quickly disappeared when treated with manganese and vitamin
E.
A
reduction of immune functions is apparent from low levels
of thymic factor and a related increase of pleomorphic microbes
in the blood of patients with systemic L.E. While not yet
acknowledged by conventional medicine, these microbes can
change their form and grow from virus-like forms to various
bacterial and fungal shapes as reported by various scientists
for more than a century.
Anti-inflammatory
nutrients have a very beneficial effect on lupus as they
have on other inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Two widely used anti-inflammatory nutrients are omega-3
fatty acids as in fish oils and linolenic acid from linseed,
and also proteolytic or protein-digesting enzymes, especially
Bromelain, the enzyme derived from pineapple. On the other
hand, the common polyunsaturated oils from oil seeds and
the arachidonic acid in meat have a pro-inflammatory effect.
There
is a case report of aggravation of lupus symptoms from using
alfalfa. This has also been confirmed with animal experiments
in monkeys fed alfalfa sprouts. The cause has been traced
to a non-protein amino acid (canavanine).
Quite
generally a low-protein diet seems to be beneficial, as
various amino acids seem to cause problems if in high concentrations,
especially tryptophane and possibly phenylalanine and tyrosine.
However, this may just be one of the symptoms of vitamin
B6 deficiency.
Of
a group of 9 patients none had normal gastric acid level,
all were deficient and 2 had no acidity at all. The degree
of the hydrochloric acid deficiency seemed to be related
to the degree of the accompanying vitamin B deficiencies.
The main deficiencies caused by lack of gastric acid are
in vitamins B1, B12, protein and various minerals.
Of
great importance in overcoming the disposition to food allergies
and chemical sensitivities are the sanitation of the intestinal
flora and the improvement in liver functions. An excellent
liver herb with good scientific references is milk thistle
with its active ingredient silymarin. Also all bitter liver
herbs are good, such as burdock, centaury, dandelion root,
devil's claw and gentian.
Periodically
courses with cultures of lactobacillus acidophilus and bifido-bacterium
have proven to be beneficial with many degenerative diseases
and allergies. In addition, many allergies disappear with
zinc supplementation.
THE
DIET
The
main requirement is for a low-allergy diet. This means all
the common processed foods must be avoided, especially those
with chemical additives. Due to frequent kidney impairment
the diet should also be low in meat, and with evidence of
kidney disease, conventional protein should be restricted
and replaced with additional spirulina and bee-pollen..
The
safest foods with L.E. have been found to be brown rice,
lentils and other legumes, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds,
almonds and most nuts, fish and seafood, most vegetables
and most fruit. However, use fruit only sparingly and between
meals.
While
sprouted seeds are strongly recommended, great care must
be taken to wash them frequently and discard any deteriorating
seeds or sprouts as these as well as bacteria developing
under the skins of sprouting seeds can cause allergic reactions.
Best eat sprouts after only a short period of sprouting
and preferably rinsed with diluted hydrogen peroxide.
For
baking you may use flour of rice, lentils, peas, chickpeas,
potatoes and also arrowroot, tapioca and sago. Flavour meals
with olive oil, tahini (sesame seed paste) and possibly
nut butters, but use herbs and spices only after allergy
testing. Furthermore, foods may react differently according
to our blood group. Try to select your food according to
your blood group and metabolic type.
The
foods most frequently found to cause or aggravate allergy
in L.E., and which should be avoided are: gluten (wheat,
rye, oats, barley), buckwheat, sugar and syrup, cows' milk
products but possibly also cheese or yoghurt of goats' milk,
products containing beef, casein or gelatine, eggs, bakers
yeast and brewers yeast, also yeast residues in wine, vinegar,
bread, mushrooms, walnuts and also foods contaminated with
moulds.
Other
foods which were frequently found to aggravate L.E. are
asparagus, capsicum, egg plant, paprika, zucchini, onion,
garlic, olives, chocolate, peanuts, walnuts, pistachio nuts,
mung beans and kidney beans and various herbs and spices
such as cinnamon, cloves, cola, liquorice, mustard, oregano,
peppers, poppy seeds, and sage, also curry, chilli, sauces
and seasonings.
Some
foods are best limited to about twice a week; these include
chicken (without seasoning), tomatoes, cucumber, avocado
and citrus. While after sufficient improvement most of the
restricted foods may gradually be reintroduced, the major
problem foods such as cows' milk and wheat products and
sweetened foods are best avoided indefinitely. Also continue
to avoid margarine, polyunsaturated oils (except cold-pressed
in small amounts), salt and salted food, highly processed
food with chemical additives, alcohol, tobacco; use coffee
or tea only when well on special occasions.
Drink
mainly diluted freshly pressed vegetable and grass juice,
for details see Juices in HEALING FOODS. Also experiment
to find a suitable herb tea, such as peppermint, anise or
lemongrass. Have most of the fluid intake before meals,
especially before breakfast. Avoid fluoridated water and
toothpaste.
Preferably
do the 8-day Basic Cleanse on apples and vegetable juices.
Alternatively, have a 4-day fast on apples or, if rather
sensitive, brown rice and test for allergies during the
gradual reintroduction of foods. Be aware that various vegetables
and fruits may react differently, depending whether they
are organically grown or have been commercially sprayed.
Tomatoes, zucchini and leaf vegetables usually have been
heavily sprayed. For details on allergy testing see Allergies.
One
of the most important tasks is sanitising the gastro-intestinal
tract with live cultures of acidophilus and bifido bacteria.
You make your own yoghurt from soymilk or other seeds or
use powdered cultures, see Bacterial Cultures and Garlic.
Supplements
With
each meal take a medium potency multivitamin tablet. Additional
folic acid and vitamin B1 can sometimes be helpful, and
in addition 1 g of vitamin C, 250 mg nicotinamide, 100 mg
vitamin B6, 250 mg natural vitamin E as tablet, 10 mg zinc,
5 - 10 mg manganese, 300 to 500 mg of magnesium, 100 to
200 mcg of selenium, several grams of kelp as tablet or
powder, 1 tablespoon of ground linseed (grind in blender
or coffee grinder and refrigerate).
In
advanced condition preferably weekly injections of 1000
mcg of vitamin B12, otherwise absorb a vitamin B12 tablet
under the tongue daily.
Take
1 - 2 hydrochloric acid-pepsin tablets with meals or 1 -
2 tsp. of diluted hydrochloric acid (for details see Hydrochloric
Acid); initially or with main meals also take digestive
enzymes.
Any
anti-inflammatory herbs are good. Try liquorice, ginger,
turmeric, feverfew, slippery elm powder and golden seal.
For further anti-inflammatory action take either 1 tbsp.
of cod liver oil with the main meal or a capsule of shark
liver oil or of fish oil concentrate (e.g. MaxEPA) or black
currant oil or evening primrose oil or borage oil with all
meals. Just alkalising the body is strongly anti-inflammatory,
you may use magnesium oxide or carbonate, potassium bicarbonate
or sodium bicarbonate, for details see Acid-alkaline Balance.
Liberal
amounts of high-quality nutrient concentrates will be beneficial,
such as spirulina, barley or wheat grass powder or extract,
freeze-dried liver, bee pollen and MSM.
With
lung infections or any other infections increase the amounts
of vitamins C and A; take propolis tablets and the herb
Echinacea. If the breathing passages are involved frequently
inhale the fumes from a bottle of tea tree oil.
Increase
and decrease high dosages of vitamins gradually before and
after cleansing periods and also when initially starting
with the treatment. As the condition improves, gradually
reduce dosages of supplements to a comfortable maintenance
intake.
ADDITIONAL
THERAPY
The
most effective therapy is likely to be with a Beck-type
electronic blood purifier or zapper, preferably combined
with a colloidal silver maker, and a magnetic pulser. This
is likely to eliminate within a few months all traces of
the microbes or agents originally responsible for this condition.
For further details see the article on the Electronic Zapper
& Magnetic Pulser.
As
long as the skin is very sensitive to sunlight protect it
from direct exposure. You may use blue light therapy on
red and inflamed parts of the skin and orange light on atrophied,
scaly patches. Use a coloured light bulb a short distance
from the skin for about an hour daily. Exclude other light
sources. You may also cover the skin with coloured cellophane,
use 2 - 4 layers and expose to a strong light source.
Improve
the functions of the liver and intestines with frequent
hot castor oil packs over these. Use a woollen cloth moistened
with castor oil and keep warm with a hot water bottle for
1 - 2 hours. In addition use reflexology: press the feet
wherever you find a sore spot under the soles, but especially
in the upper outer part of the right sole for the liver
reflex and below the midline near the insteps of both feet
for the intestines. For more details see the article on
Reflexology.
Frequently
inhale deeply, tense, stretch or bend while holding the
full breath. During daily guided imagery see your skin and
yourself as being normal and healthy. See and feel a golden
healing energy entering the top of your head and revitalise
all glands and organs. Give yourself positive suggestions
right after awakening and before falling asleep.
Be
careful with exposure to electromagnetic fields and fluorescent
lighting, avoid synthetic clothing, preferably have amalgam
fillings replaced with plastic composite and dead teeth
removed, for more details see Basic Rules and Dental Problems.
Spend as much time as possible outdoors in pleasant surroundings
and expect to get well.
In
all conditions it is essential to use extensive intestinal
sanitation and antimicrobial therapy as shown in Candida
and the Antibiotic Syndrome.
In
summary, the most important steps for overcoming L.E. are:
- Avoiding
gluten and other food allergens and chemicals
- Correct
vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Use
strong anti-inflammatory measures
- Eliminate
hidden microbial infestations.
