Living with a chronic disease can be challenging, but many supplements help ease symptoms and can be a healthy addition to your established treatment. Flaxseed has shown beneficial effects in lupus patients, helping to alleviate symptoms and promote health. Before using flaxseed supplements, ask your doctor whether this is safe and appropriate for you.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed, also called linseed, is taken from the flax plant. Though it may be best known for its laxative properties, this herb has a variety of additional health benefits. The oil in the seeds contains alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, an essential fatty acid. ALA is an omega-3 fatty acid and can help lower cholesterol, reduce your risk of heart disease and even reduce your risk of certain cancers, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although it is a natural herb, flaxseed can interact with certain types of medications, so check with your doctor before using this supplement to ensure it is safe for you to consume.
Lupus
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease, with the most common form being systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, says Womenshealth.gov. In lupus, the body makes antibodies against its own tissues, attacking itself, causing pain and inflammation. Symptoms of lupus vary among individuals, but can include a butterfly-shaped rash on the face, muscle aches, fatigue, kidney problems, sensitivity to sunlight, hair loss and memory impairment. Symptoms of lupus can be treated with medications; your doctor can review your treatment options with you and explain which drugs are best for your situation.
Flaxseed's Effects on Lupus
Some individuals experience joint pain and stiffness due to inflammation associated with lupus, and the omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed can help reduce swelling. Womenshealth.gov states that individuals with lupus are more likely to develop heart disease, and ALA can help counteract this. A 2001 study by Clark et al, published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," found that flaxseed helped protect the kidneys of subjects with lupus nephritis, but more research needs to be done to definitively recommend flaxseed for these patients.
Considerations
If you have lupus, ask your doctor whether flaxseed may benefit you before using any flaxseed supplements. Tell her about any other supplements or medications you are taking, to avoid adverse interactions. Flaxseed is not a replacement for the treatment you are on, merely a supplement to help alleviate symptoms. The University of Maryland suggests taking flaxseed several hours before or after other supplements or drugs, as it can interfere with the absorption of oral medications.
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