Although there is no diet for systemic sclerosis, it is important to establish a balanced diet, with special emphasis on anti-inflammatory foods that provide energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
1. The Importance of Diet for People with Systemic Sclerosis
Systemic sclerosis is a condition in which the immune system overstimulates the body’s collagen-producing cells, causing inflammation and excessive collagen accumulation, leading to hard skin and fibrosis of internal organs such as the lungs, digestive tract, and blood vessels. Although there are no specific foods or nutrients that can reduce collagen production, the foods people with systemic sclerosis eat can have a positive impact on the condition by combating fatigue, inflammation, and digestive disorders.
In addition, people with systemic sclerosis are at high risk of malnutrition due to inadequate intake of nutritious foods or poor absorption of nutrients from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. People with systemic sclerosis may have specific vitamin or mineral deficiencies, with or without obvious symptoms. Therefore, it is important for everyone with scleroderma to monitor their nutritional status regularly and eat healthy foods throughout the day from all the different food groups.
Diet plays a very important role in managing and improving the condition of systemic scleroderma. Although it cannot cure the disease, a balanced, scientific diet can help reduce symptoms, improve quality of life and support treatment.
A balanced diet, rich in anti-inflammatory foods, and adequate energy supply is important for people with systemic sclerosis.
A good diet provides the following benefits to people with systemic scleroderma:
- Reduce inflammation: Inflammation is one of the main factors causing the symptoms of scleroderma. Many foods have anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce swelling, pain and stiffness.
- Improve digestion: Digestive disorders are a common symptom in people with scleroderma. A suitable diet helps improve digestive function, reduce bloating and indigestion.
- Provide energy: Scleroderma often causes fatigue and loss of appetite. A high-energy diet helps provide enough fuel for the body to function.
- Support treatment: Diet combined with other treatments such as medication and physical therapy helps increase treatment effectiveness.
2. Foods to Eat for Scleroderma
The University of Michigan Medicine Scleroderma Program, a group of caregivers, scientists, and clinical researchers in scleroderma and related conditions, says that for someone facing a chronic and potentially debilitating disease like Scleroderma, where fatigue, indigestion, and nutrient deficiencies are common, a nutritious, high-quality diet must play a central role in improving quality of life and helping to successfully manage symptoms.
Scleroderma patients should eat a high-fiber diet with 100% whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; take a daily probiotic supplement and/or eat probiotic yogurt regularly; and increase fluid intake.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables: Blend or juice fresh fruits and vegetables. Increase antioxidant intake by choosing fruits and vegetables that are deeply colored (especially dark green, deep yellow, orange, red, purple, blue); eat fatty fish, ground flaxseeds, and walnuts for omega-3 fatty acids; eat foods rich in vitamin E such as nuts, extra virgin olive oil, wheat germ, canola oil, peanuts, etc. to help skin and nails.
- Soft, moist protein sources in meals and snacks such as cheese, fried eggs, yogurt, fish, chicken with sauce, ground meat, macaroni and cheese, etc. Consider adding a liquid protein supplement.
- Healthy fats: olive oil, canola oil, and peanut oil; nuts, nut butters; avocados; fatty fish; salad dressings made from oil…
- Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory herbs and spices such as basil, rosemary, marjoram, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and curry powder.
- Drink clean filtered water from a home water filtration system and avoid contact with plastic, only drink from glass or stainless steel bottles. Aim to drink half your body weight each day.
- Vitamins: Ask your doctor about taking an over-the-counter multivitamin/mineral supplement containing zinc, iron, vitamins A , E, and K, folate, B12, and taking vitamin D with a high-fat meal for better absorption. If specific nutrient deficiencies are found, supplementation may be needed. Taking a probiotic supplement may help restore gut function and help reduce symptoms of gas and bloating.
3. Foods to Avoid
Processed foods and soft drinks are not good for people with systemic sclerosis.
A low FODMAP diet is beneficial for people with systemic sclerosis, helping to resolve problematic gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating, discomfort, diarrhea and/or constipation. Therefore, consider eliminating foods containing wheat or dairy (lactose) from your diet, as these foods are often difficult to digest. If eliminating wheat and/or dairy products does not provide relief, adopting a low FODMAP diet may be beneficial.
FODMAPs are sugars and other carbohydrates found in many foods that tend to be poorly digested and absorbed in the intestines. These components are easily fermented by bacteria in the intestines, leading to abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation. When foods high in FODMAPs are eliminated from the diet, more severe gastrointestinal symptoms often resolve.
Cut back on added sugars. Natural sugars found in fruits, milk, and yogurt are not a concern unless they cause digestive problems. Check the ingredient list for terms that indicate added sugars such as sucrose, evaporated cane juice, fructose, brown rice syrup, honey, agave nectar, molasses, corn syrup, maple syrup.
Avoid foods that may aggravate symptoms such as citrus fruits, tomato products, fried foods, coffee, garlic, onions, mint, gas-producing foods (such as raw peppers, beans, broccoli, raw onions), spicy foods, carbonated drinks, and alcohol.
4. Other recommendations for people with systemic sclerosis
A balanced diet, adequate nutrition and applying scientific eating principles are what people with systemic sclerosis should do.
- Eat small, frequent meals every 3-4 hours. If you have lost a lot of weight or can only eat a small amount at a time, consider eating every two hours to maximize your nutrient intake. Avoid eating within 2-3 hours of bedtime.
- Use a sleeping pad or elevate the head of your bed to elevate your head and torso to prevent reflux of stomach contents into your airways.
- Choose fresh, whole, minimally processed foods without preservatives, artificial ingredients, or hydrogenated oils. If there are “chemical”-sounding names in the ingredient list, stay away. In general, the shorter the ingredient list, the better.
- Exercise, such as walking, helps food move through your digestive tract. Engage in 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise daily, such as walking, cycling, pool exercises, Pilates, yoga, or tai chi. Exercise also increases circulation to areas with restricted blood flow; If you have a finger ulcer, eat animal protein sources that contain zinc and iron (such as beef and pork) to speed up the healing process.
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.