If you have lupus, you know that your symptoms tend to come and go. Your symptoms -- including joint pain, muscle aches, fatigue, rashes, anemia, hair loss and more -- can flare up for an hour or a few months and then subside again. It's not always easy to determine what triggered a lupus flareup, and people with lupus are vigilant about tracking possible triggers. For some people, milk may pop up on the list of potential triggers.
The Facts
Lupus flares occur when something triggers your body to start producing autoantibodies -- substances in your immune system that target healthy cells and tissue the same way antibodies target viruses or bacteria. Many factors can contribute to flares, from exposure to sunlight to certain medications to some foods, but it's impossible to make blanket statements about foods or drinks people with lupus should avoid because there is so much variation in what causes lupus flares for different people, explains Laura Coleman, registered dietitian and author of the book "Nutrition and Rheumatic Disease," on the Lupus Foundation of America website.
Identification
Unless you're sure that milk is triggering your lupus flares, there's no reason to avoid milk or dairy products just because you have lupus, says Coleman. The best way to tell whether milk is a trigger for your lupus flares is to keep a food/pain journal, recording everything you eat and drink and noting the symptoms you experience each day. It may take a few months of tracking your food and pain to get results, and you'll want to talk with your health care provider about what you think before making any major changes to your diet or routine.
Considerations
Calcium is essential for people with lupus because of the accelerated bone loss associated with the disease. People with lupus should aim to get about 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day, according to Christine Gerbstadt, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association in Sarasota, Florida, in "Lupus Now." If you can't tolerate milk, consider other dairy products or high-in-calcium food such as canned fish with bones or leafy green vegetables. As a last resort, talk to your doctor about taking calcium supplements.
Warning
Lupus is a serious, chronic health condition, and you should always check with your doctor about your concerns. If you think milk is causing your lupus flares, talk to your doctor and follow his recommendations before eliminating milk from your diet.
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