Garlic and Lupus. #LupusWarriors have probably heard to avoid it. Knowing why can help create a good plan

#LupusWarriors have to avoid quite a bit, unfortunately. It can be frustrating and discouraging. With the right plan and the knowledge of why certain things cause lupus flares, it’s possible to live life more comfortably. #LupusWarriors have probably heard about garlic and lupus. Garlic can be a powerful trigger for lupus symptoms or flares. Read more to learn why garlic causes lupus flares and strategies to avoid it.

Garlic and Its Powerful Medicinal Impact

The Global Use of Garlic

Garlic is known all over the world for its powerful medicinal-like properties to keep people active and healthy. The science shows that garlic really can knock out a bug. Even, anecdotes dating back thousands of years ago—hieroglyphs on Egyptian pyramid walls show workers being given garlic to stay fit—tell of garlic as a potent well-care and sick-care material.

What Is in Garlic That Makes It So Strong?

So, why does it not help #LupusWarriors? Diving into garlic’s chemical makeup, it consists of three compounds that give this root vegetable its punch—ajoene, allicin, and thiosulfinates. All three compounds are considered to be organosulfur and contribute to garlic’s sulfur-like smell and taste. (Interesting fact: the release of organosulfur elements infiltrate the lungs through the bloodstream causing garlic breath. Even after brushing your teeth, the emissions will linger in the lungs.)

Given the substantial emissions of ajoene, allicin, and thiosulfinates, it’s no surprise they have a profound impact on the body. All three stimulate the immune system by increasing the macrophage and lymphocyte—two types of white blood cells—activity. Studies have shown allicin fighting Plasmodium falciparum (the most deadly kind of malaria) and aiding in weight loss (even with a poor diet).

Interested in sharing your journey and seeing other #LupusWarriors’ experiences?

Take our short survey and share your story.

Garlic As a Pro-Inflammatory

Garlic, therefore, is considered to have pro-inflammatory effects on the host’s immune system. In other words, it revs up the immune system to fight bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Most of this is due to allicin, but as the scientific world continues to study garlic, the cataloging and understanding of all garlic’s attributes are ongoing.

Strategies for #LupusWarriors and Garlic

An individual with lupus must be careful not to trigger the body’s immune system. Garlic and other foods with allicin, ajoene, and thiosulfinates to be considered as exclusions to the diet. Research foods that contain these three compounds and write a list. Even though garlic has very concentrated levels of ajoene, allicin, and thiosulfinates, avoiding foods with lower levels compounding could evade a lupus flare.

Opposing Perceptions and Thoughtful Considerations

There is a community that thinks garlic can be quite beneficial to someone with lupus. Homeopathic garlic use to treat lupus calls for only a small amount and not every day. While the jury is still out, it’s probably best to look into other homeopathic remedies to keep #LupusWarriors healthy.