What is sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis is a disease in which a person’s body produces clusters of cells, called granulomas.
Sarcoidosis leads to inflammation, which can affect the organs. Although in most cases the disease starts in the skin, lungs, or chest, sarcoidosis can affect any area of the body.
New symptoms can show up at any time, so it is important for people with sarcoidosis to take care of themselves.
Best Diet for Sarcoidosis
A healthy diet can help with sarcoidosis.
Although there is no diet specifically recommended for sarcoidosis, a well-balanced diet can help improve overall health. Additionally, focusing on foods that reduce inflammation and avoiding those that may trigger it can be beneficial.
Here are some tips for a healthy diet.
Foods to Include in Your Diet
Foods you should eat and other recommendations for a healthy sarcoidosis treatment diet include:
- Incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Choose foods with antioxidants, like tomatoes, bell peppers, blueberries, and squash
- Eat lean meats like fish and poultry
- Pick foods containing healthy fats, like avocados, nuts, and fatty fish
- Eat foods low in calcium but high in magnesium, including bananas, potatoes, barley, soy, corn, oats, and brown rice
- Stay hydrated by drinking at least 6 glasses of water each day
Foods to Avoid in Your Diet
Foods you shouldn’t eat and other things to avoid if you have sarcoidosis include:
- Refrain from eating foods with refined grains, such as white bread and pasta
- Cut back on red meat
- Avoid foods with trans-fatty acids, such as commercially processed baked goods, french fries, and margarine
- Stay away from caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol
Your parent’s elderly care provider can assist with preparing balanced meals that will help improve your parent’s overall health.
If your elderly parent is living with sarcoidosis, you and your parent’s care provider may be able to help ease symptoms or prevent new ones by ensuring your parent follows a healthy diet, which may include using certain herbs and supplements.
Herbs for Sarcoidosis
While no herbs have been found to treat sarcoidosis, turmeric and cat’s claw may help to reduce inflammation. Before using herbs as part of your parent’s sarcoidosis management plan, be sure to talk to a doctor.
Supplements for Sarcoidosis
As with herbs, you should talk to your parent’s doctor before adding supplements to their treatment plan. The following supplements may be beneficial to people with sarcoidosis:
- Multivitamins: A daily multivitamin can help improve overall health.
- Probiotic Supplements: Probiotic supplements contain healthy bacteria for maintaining gastrointestinal health.
- Bromelain: Bromelain contains enzymes that can reduce inflammation.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, may help reduce inflammation.
Schedule Your Care Assessment Today
At Care Options for Kids, we understand the unique challenges of caring for a loved one with severe health conditions. Our dedicated team of home health care nurses is here to support your family with compassionate, expert care tailored to your family’s needs. Contact us today to schedule an assessment and learn how we can help you navigate this journey with confidence and care.
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