Feeding In Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a chronic systemic disease of inflammatory nature, in which the formation of specific nodules, accumulation of inflamed cells - granulomas. This health problem is rare, formerly known as Besnier-Boeck-Schaumann disease.

The reasons for the appearance of the disease are not clear so far, but it is known that it is infectious, respectively, people suffering from it are not contagious.

According to some scientists, sarcoidosis can be caused by bacteria, parasites, metal compounds, pathogenic fungi, pollen, but this has not been proven.

Most experts believe that the disease is the result of a complex of causes, namely:

• work with chemicals, especially beryllium and zirconium;
• genetic predisposition;
• unfavorable environmental conditions;
• reduced immunity;
• infection.

Symptoms:

• decreased appetite;
• slackness;
• antipathy;
• weight loss;
• slight increase in body temperature;
• dry cough;
• muscle and joint pain;
• chest pain;
• shortness of breath;
• appearance of painful purple-red nodules on the skin (gray-purple spots remain in their place).

According to the localization of sarcoidosis, the following types are distinguished:

• of the lungs (the most common variety);
• on the skin;
• of the eyes;
• of the liver and spleen;
• of the extrathoracic lymph nodes.

Useful foods for sarcoidosis

• Nutrition should be balanced, complete, meals and products should be easy to absorb by the body. It is recommended that dishes be steamed, stewed and boiled. Doctors advise to take small portions 5-6 times a day.
• It is useful to have lean meat (including poultry), fish, eggs, cheese, skim cheese, soy, beans, peas, nuts, semolina, buckwheat, oats, millet, pasta, rice, potatoes. They all contain protein, which is an important element for proper nutrition.
• Moderate use of vegetable fats (corn, flaxseed, pumpkin oil, olive oil), as well as butter, nuts, meat, cheese and dairy products, saturates the body with fats that are necessary for a balanced diet.
• Eat porridge, vegetables (asparagus, beans, carrots, all kinds of cabbage, eggplant, cucumbers, celery, lettuce, peas, turnips, tomatoes), whole grain bread, prunes and apricots, skim milk, strawberries, grapefruit, zucchini, artichoke, chickpeas. The listed products are sources of complex carbohydrates, which differ from complex ones in that they are indispensable in proper nutrition - they participate in the synthesis of energy without raising blood sugar levels.
• Garlic and onions are thought to be helpful in sarcoidosis, although this has not been scientifically proven.
• Doctors recommend eating more gooseberries, cherries, pomegranates, rowan, buckwheat, black currants, seaweed, buckwheat, oats, beans, peas, nuts, because they saturate the body with nutrients and vitamins that help fight inflammation.
• Rose hips, sweet and hot peppers, cat's claw, cabbage (Brussels sprouts, red, cauliflower and broccoli), horseradish, rowan, strawberries, spinach, citrus fruits, kiwi - these fruits and vegetables should be included in the menu, as in their composition there is a lot of vitamin C, which fights toxins.
• Drink infusions of rose hips, raspberries, citrus peels, blackcurrant leaves, also freshly squeezed juices of pomegranate, citrus, carrot and apple (in combination). Such drinks also give the body large amounts of vitamin C and many nutrients.
• Pay attention to the consumption of liver, viburnum fruit, butter, sea cabbage, white brined and melted cheese, cottage cheese, seaweed, oysters, sweet potatoes, sour cream, garlic. They contain vitamin A, and it helps fight infections.
• It is important to eat: wholemeal bread, peas, almonds, bran, wheat, white rice, flour, potatoes, apples, cabbage, carrots, lentils, raisins, peanuts, broccoli. They contain cellulose, which is able to purify the body and normalize bowel function.
• Add to the menu sprouts of cereals, eggs, milk, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, dried apricots, spinach, sorrel, sea buckthorn, prunes, eel meat, salmon, perch, oats nuts, barley. The richness of vitamin E in such products increases the body's defenses and contributes to faster wound healing.
• Consumption of peas, seaweed, dried apricots and prunes, potatoes, cashews, walnuts, pine nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, raisins, apples, figs, rice enriches the body with potassium, which neutralizes the negative effects of drug treatment of the disease on the body.

Dangerous and harmful foods in sarcoidosis

• The ban on smoking is categorical, as the habit can lead to complications of the problem, especially if it affects the lungs.
• In sarcoidosis, elevated levels of calcium in the blood are observed, so you should not overdo it with foods that are sources of the element. These are: melted and brined cheese, cottage cheese, mustard, hazelnuts, pistachios, almonds, beans, peas, walnuts, wheat, liquid and sour cream, oatmeal. Intake of excessive amounts of these products could lead to the formation of kidney stones.
• Do not overdo the use of confectionery and pasta (butter dough) products such as: sugar, cakes, pastries, candy, sweetened carbonated drinks, puff pastry. They contain many simple carbohydrates that contribute to greater inflammation.
• It is not recommended to present on the table spicy, salty and fried dishes, spices, because they support the inflammatory process.
• It is forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages, they are known for their detrimental effects on the body.