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Lupus nephritis (LN) is a kidney disorder that is a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is a problem with the body’s immune system. With this disease, medications and diet management are both important. Chayote is well-known to contain medicinal properties. So is it good for lupus nephritis patients to eat chayote?
It is researched that chayote has the following properties:
1. Helps reduce blood pressure
Chayote contains potassium, the mineral which helps lower blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the symptoms of LN, so eating chayote is able to alleviate this condition of high blood pressure.
2. Helps prevent leg cramps
Kidney disease patients usually have leg cramps. The pain of leg cramps can cause sleep problems and patients often complain this pain. Chayote contains magnesium, and electrolytes and a mineral which helps prevent leg cramps.it can relieve the pain of leg cramps in kidney disease patients.
3. Good for the heart
Kidney disease patients almost die from its complication not the disease itself. Heart disease is one of the complications. Chayote is rich in folate, magnesium and potassium which are essential for heart health. Folate consumption decreases the risk of heart attack; potassium reduces the high blood pressure and the risk of stroke. Magnesium prevents blood clots formation and keeps a normal heartbeat. In a word, chayote is good for heart and can be eaten by lupus nephritis patients.
4. Relieve anemia
Fatigue caused by anemia is to be seen in LN patients. Chayote has the ability of increasing hemoglobin levels so as to alleviate anemia to a certain degree.
The above properties of chayote are good for Lupus Nephritis patients. However, it does not mean all patients can eat it. Some minerals in chayote may aggravate patients’ condition. For example, patients with high potassium level and swelling should not eat chayote too much, because sodium and potassium is high, which will worsen edema and heart problems.
