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. In addition, focusing on foods that reduce inflammation and avoiding those that may cause inflammation could help.
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
- Elect for 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, such as those found in fish oil, may reduce inflammation.
Contact Care Options for Kids for Home Health Care Services
If your elderly parent is living with sarcoidosis, hiring an elderly care provider through an agency may be beneficial. Elderly care providers can help your parent live a healthier lifestyle by preparing healthy meals and snacks as part of a balanced diet. They can also remind your parent to take medications and supplements.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home health care services, contact the caring staff at Care Options for Kids. Call today at (888) 592-5855.
