Sjogren’s Diet

If you suffer from Sjogren’s syndrome, how you eat is very important. Dr. Lily Yang from TheraLife shares tips and tricks to stay on top of your condition.

Sjogren’s Diet Recommendations

TheraLife® customers use dietary control to help reduce Sjogren’s and other autoimmune symptoms naturally, and you can, too!

• Reduce intake of foods that promote inflammation.
• Eat lots of natural, wholesome foods that do not contain preservatives or sugar.
• Eat lots of vegetables and fruits, preferably raw to preserve natural nutrients.
• Make your body cleans itself on daily basis through bowel movements.
• Reduce red meat intake and consumption of oily fried foods.
• Eat moderate amounts of fish, chicken, and white meats.

Reducing Discomfort While Eating

Dryness can affect what we eat in many ways. Certain foods may irritate your mouth, while other foods may need lots of liquid to make them go down.

• Avoid spicy and crunchy foods.
• Choose soft, smooth items.
• Avoid alcohol and wine.
• Avoid acidic juices and acidic fruits and vegetables.
• Eat gluten-free for those with celiac disorder.
• Moisten foods with mayonnaise, sauces, gravies, yogurts, or salad dressing.
• Try dipping dry foods into whatever you’re drinking.
• Soften or thin foods with skim milk, broth, water, or melted margarine.
• Use your food processor or blender to finely chop or liquefy foods.
• Use a straw if it helps you swallow.
• Sip your drink while eating.
• Add soup with your sandwich.
• Add cucumbers to a sandwich to add moisture

If It Still Hurts To Eat

• Try smooth, soft, creamy foods like soup, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, casseroles, tender cooked vegetables, canned fruits, pudding, cheesecake, ice cream, and even tender cooked and simmered meats.
• Drink high-calorie, cold liquids such as milkshakes, instant breakfast drinks, or liquid nutritional supplements for both calories and ease in eating.
• Suck on fruit juice popsicles, ice chips, or other cold foods to help reduce the pain.

TheraLife® Autoimmune Formula is Great Source of Selenium

Arthritis Today recommends regularly including the antioxidant and immune-suppressing nutrients omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), selenium, and vitamin D in your diet. PUFAs are found in cold water fish, soybeans and walnuts. Selenium is available in the TheraLife® Autoimmune formula. Vitamin D is found in eggs and in vitamin D-fortified products such as milk, cottage cheese, and cereals. Again, all these nutrients play an important role in Sjogren’s diet.

Dr. Weil suggests that eating healthy is key to reducing inflammation and feeling good. Minimize consumption of animal products and eliminate milk and milk products. Avoid oils and hydrogenated fats (margarine, vegetable shortening).

References

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2. Brito-Zerón P, Retamozo S, Ramos-Casals M. Phenotyping Sjögren’s syndrome: towards a personalised management of the disease. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2018 May-Jun;36 Suppl 112(3):198-209. [PubMed]

3. Argyropoulou OD, Valentini E, Ferro F, Leone MC, Cafaro G, Bartoloni E, Baldini C. One year in review 2018: Sjögren’s syndrome. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2018 May-Jun;36 Suppl 112(3):14-26. [PubMed]

4. Baer AN, Akpek EK, Alevizos I., 18-21 April 2018, Washington, DC, USA. 14th International Symposium on Sjögren’s Syndrome. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2018 May-Jun;36 Suppl 112(3):241-255. [PubMed]

5. Kroese FGM, Haacke EA, Bombardieri M. The role of salivary gland histopathology in primary Sjögren’s syndrome: promises and pitfalls. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2018 May-Jun;36 Suppl 112(3):222-233. [PubMed]

6. Kiadaliri AA, Mohammad AJ, Englund M. Hospitalizations due to systemic connective tissue diseases: Secular trends and regional disparities in Sweden, 1998-2016. Int J Rheum Dis. 2018 Nov;21(11):1900-1906. [PubMed]

7. Alani H, Henty JR, Thompson NL, Jury E, Ciurtin C. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiology of polyautoimmunity in Sjögren’s syndrome (secondary Sjögren’s syndrome) focusing on autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Scand J Rheumatol. 2018 Mar;47(2):141-154. [PubMed]

8. Bunya VY, Fernandez KB, Ying GS, Massaro-Giordano M, Macchi I, Sulewski ME, Hammersmith KM, Nagra PK, Rapuano CJ, Orlin SE. Survey of Ophthalmologists Regarding Practice Patterns for Dry Eye and Sjogren Syndrome. Eye Contact Lens. 2018 Nov;44 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S196-S201. [PMC free article] [PubMed]

9. Tzioufas AG, Goules AV. Limited efficacy of targeted treatments in Sjögren’s syndrome: why? Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2018 May-Jun;36 Suppl 112(3):27-28. [PubMed]

10. De Vita S, Gandolfo S, Zandonella Callegher S, Zabotti A, Quartuccio L. The evaluation of disease activity in Sjögren’s syndrome based on the degree of MALT involvement: glandular swelling and cryoglobulinaemia compared to ESSDAI in a cohort study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2018 May-Jun;36 Suppl 112(3):150-156. [PubMed]

TheraLife Sjogrens Syndrome Treatment Starter Kit