Foods to Avoid If You Have Polymyositis

According to The Myositis Association, diet plays a powerful role in managing autoimmune conditions like polymyositis by controlling systemic inflammation. Polymyositis is a rare autoimmune disease that causes chronic muscle inflammation and weakness. What foods should you avoid if you have polymyositis to better manage this condition?

Quick Summary

This guide covers pro-inflammatory foods, including processed items, refined carbs, and certain fats, that can worsen polymyositis symptoms. It details which foods to eliminate and offers dietary tips to help manage the disease and reduce muscle-damaging inflammation.

Key Points

• Avoid Refined Sugars: Limit or eliminate sugary drinks, candy, and pastries to prevent blood sugar spikes that can trigger inflammation.

• Say No to Processed and Fried Foods: Stay away from packaged snacks, fast food, and fried items, which are high in unhealthy fats and preservatives.

• Limit Red and Processed Meats: Saturated fats in these meats can increase inflammatory markers, so opt for leaner protein sources like fish or poultry.

• Reduce Intake of Refined Grains: Choose whole grains such as oats, brown rice, and quinoa over white bread and pasta to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

• Watch Your Sodium Intake: High salt content, especially from processed foods, can increase blood pressure and fluid retention, which can be affected by polymyositis medication.

• Identify Personal Triggers: For some, nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes) may be inflammatory; consider a supervised elimination diet to see if they are a personal trigger.

• Manage Swallowing Difficulties: If dysphagia is a problem, modify food textures by pureeing or blending foods to ensure adequate nutrition.

Understanding the Link Between Diet and Polymyositis

Polymyositis is an inflammatory myopathy where the immune system attacks muscle tissue, leading to weakness and swelling. While there's no cure, managing inflammation through diet can help control symptoms. The aim is to reduce systemic inflammation, potentially easing muscle pain, weakness, and fatigue. Certain foods are known to worsen inflammation, while anti-inflammatory options, like those in the Mediterranean diet, can help reduce it. Making informed food choices can be a proactive step alongside medical treatment.

High-Inflammatory Foods to Eliminate

To help reduce muscle inflammation in polymyositis, avoiding pro-inflammatory foods is key. Common culprits to limit include processed and refined foods, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars, which can cause blood sugar spikes that trigger inflammation. Saturated and trans fats, found in fried foods and certain meats, are also known inflammation contributors. Excessive sodium can lead to fluid retention and blood pressure issues, potentially worsened by certain medications. While debated, some individuals with autoimmune conditions may find nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant) to be inflammatory triggers; an elimination diet may help identify personal sensitivities. Excessive alcohol and potentially coffee may also exacerbate inflammation.

Managing Polymyositis: A Comparison of Food Choices

Making dietary swaps can significantly impact your symptoms. Here is a comparison of pro-inflammatory foods to avoid versus anti-inflammatory alternatives to embrace:

Pro-Inflammatory Food	Anti-Inflammatory Alternative
Processed snacks (chips, crackers)	Unsalted nuts and seeds (walnuts, almonds), fresh fruit
Fried foods (french fries, fried chicken)	Baked, grilled, or roasted lean meats, sweet potato fries
Red meat and processed meats	Lean poultry (chicken breast), fatty fish (salmon, sardines)
Refined grains (white bread, pasta)	Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, oats)
Sugary drinks and sodas	Water, herbal tea, fresh fruit smoothies
Margarine and partially hydrogenated oils	Olive oil, avocado oil, nuts, avocados
High-sugar desserts and pastries	Berries, dark chocolate (70%+ cocoa), honey (in moderation)

How to Modify Your Diet

Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet requires consistency. Start with small changes and consider a food journal to identify triggers. If you have swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), a common polymyositis symptom, modifying food textures is necessary. Blending softened vegetables, pureeing fruits, or adding nut butters can make foods easier to swallow. Consulting a speech pathologist or registered dietitian can help create a safe eating plan.

Conclusion: Taking Control Through Your Diet

While not a cure, diet is a powerful tool for managing polymyositis symptoms and reducing chronic inflammation. Avoiding processed foods, refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and potential personal triggers like nightshades can support your body. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help minimize inflammatory flare-ups, manage medication side effects, and improve quality of life. Always consult your healthcare provider or a dietitian before major dietary changes to ensure nutritional needs are met and the plan complements your medical treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can diet help reduce inflammation in polymyositis?

Yes, while diet is not a cure, adopting an anti-inflammatory diet can be a powerful tool for managing polymyositis symptoms. Limiting pro-inflammatory foods and focusing on nutrient-dense options can help reduce chronic inflammation in the body.

Are nightshade vegetables bad for polymyositis?

For some people with autoimmune conditions, nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers can trigger inflammation due to alkaloids. However, this is not universal. A supervised elimination diet can help determine if they affect your symptoms.

What kind of fats should I avoid with polymyositis?

You should avoid unhealthy fats, including trans fats found in many baked goods and margarines, and saturated fats from fried foods and fatty red and processed meats, as they are pro-inflammatory.

How do refined sugars and carbs affect polymyositis?

Refined sugars and carbohydrates cause quick blood sugar spikes, which can promote inflammatory responses in the body. This is a particular concern for those on corticosteroids, which can affect blood sugar levels.

Is it safe to drink alcohol with polymyositis?

Excessive alcohol consumption can increase inflammation and may interact with medications. It's best to limit or avoid alcohol and discuss its use with your healthcare provider.

What if I have trouble swallowing certain foods?

Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) are common in polymyositis. You may need to modify food textures by pureeing vegetables, blending fruits into smoothies, or eating softer, moist foods to ensure you get adequate nutrition safely.

What diet is often recommended for autoimmune conditions like polymyositis?

The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats, is often recommended for its anti-inflammatory benefits. This eating pattern aligns well with the goals of managing polymyositis.