Health & Wellness

13 Foods to Avoid while Taking Enbrel

Looking for foods to avoid while taking Enbrel. Living with an autoimmune condition can be difficult, but modern medicine has provided us with valuable tools to help manage these conditions.

Enbrel (etanercept) is a medication that relieves those dealing with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

While it can be a life-changing treatment option for many people, it’s important to remember that its effectiveness may also depend on factors like lifestyle and diet choices. So, let’s support each other in making the best decisions we can when managing our health!

This post will discuss the essential foods to avoid while taking Enbrel. Your food is vital in managing autoimmune disorders since it may help or hinder the medication’s effectiveness.

You may make informed dietary decisions to help your efforts toward excellent health and well-being by understanding which foods may interfere with Enbrel’s effectiveness or intensify your symptoms.

In This Article

Foods to Avoid While Taking Enbrel

Here, we have listed what to avoid while taking Enbrel

Foods to Avoid While Taking Enbrel

1. Alcohol

I wanted to let you know that if you’re taking Enbrel, you must be mindful of your alcohol consumption. As the liver processes the medication, and so does alcohol, drinking while taking Enbrel may increase the workload on your liver.

This could lead to potential problems or impair how well the drug treats your condition. So make sure you take care when combining these two things!

2. High-sugar foods

What to avoid when taking enbrel is high-sugar foods. It can lead to inflammation in our bodies. Chronic inflammation can worsen autoimmune conditions and even increase the need for medications like Enbrel.

So, if we want to manage these conditions effectively, it’s essential that we focus on reducing inflammation by minimizing our sugar intake as much as possible!

3. Processed Foods

Many processed foods contain ingredients like refined sugars, unhealthy fats (saturated and trans fats), and artificial additives that can promote inflammation in the body.

This is especially concerning for people with autoimmune conditions because inflammation is a crucial driver of their symptoms. Let’s try to make healthier choices when possible!

4. Fried Foods

We all love fried foods, but did you know they are often cooked in unhealthy fats like trans fats and saturated fats? These types of fat can promote inflammation in the body, which isn’t good for us.

For people taking Enbrel to treat autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, consuming these foods may counteract the anti-inflammatory effects of the medication.

5. Excessive Salt

Did you know that high salt intake can cause the body to retain excess water? This can lead to swelling and edema, which is not only uncomfortable but could also affect mobility for those with arthritis or joint-related autoimmune conditions.

Additionally, some research suggests that excessive salt intake may contribute to chronic inflammation in the body – making Enbrel prescribed more often to control this inflammation associated with many autoimmune diseases.

6. Artificial Sweeteners

Some people may have digestive sensitivities or intolerances to specific artificial sweeteners. This can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, which may be especially problematic for individuals already dealing with gastrointestinal issues related to their autoimmune condition.

7. Citrus Fruits

Enbrel foods to avoid are citrus fruits. Enbrel is primarily metabolized in the liver, and some studies have suggested that Citrus fruit, like grapefruit juice, can interfere with the liver’s ability to metabolize particular medicine, potentially increasing their concentration in the bloodstream.

So, if you’re taking Enbrel or thinking of starting it soon, talk with your doctor about any potential interactions between grapefruit juice.

8. Saturated and Trans Fats

Did you know that saturated and trans fats have been linked to inflammation in the body? Those with autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis must be conscious of their diets.

Enbrel is often prescribed as a treatment for these conditions, but reducing dietary factors contributing to inflammation can help manage the condition more effectively!

9. Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that can interfere with sleep. Not getting enough rest can worsen symptoms and decrease the effectiveness of treatments such as Enbrel, commonly prescribed for this condition.

So get plenty of restful sleep so your body has time to recover from any treatments or activities you do during the day!

10. Soy products

It’s essential to know that soy products may not suit everyone. If you have an autoimmune condition or specific allergies, you may want to limit your consumption of soy products or use caution when eating them.

Additionally, these foods must be avoided entirely if you have a known soy allergy, as even mild reactions can cause hives and digestive discomfort. At the same time, more severe cases could lead to anaphylactic shock.

11. Dairy Products

When consuming dairy products, you may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea. This could be down to lactose intolerance, which is the inability of the body to digest lactose – a sugar found in milk and dairy products.

Reducing or eliminating your dairy consumption can help alleviate these symptoms, so it might be worth trying out!

12. High-fat diets

High-fat diets, particularly those rich in saturated and trans fats, have been associated with increased inflammation in the body.

Since autoimmune conditions are characterized by chronic inflammation, minimizing foods that may exacerbate inflammation can benefit symptom management.

13. Nightshade Vegetables

I’m sure you’ve heard that nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and potatoes are foods to potentially avoid if you’re taking medications such as Enbrel for autoimmune conditions.

While this recommendation is based on anecdotal reports and some studies suggesting a potential link between nightshades and inflammation or joint pain in certain people with autoimmune disorders, it’s always best to consult your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet.

Q. Does Enbrel need to be refrigerated?

Ans- Yes, Enbrel (etanercept) must be stored in the refrigerator. Enbrel is commonly delivered as a solution in pre-filled syringes or auto-injectors, and it must be stored in a refrigerator at temperatures ranging from 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). To preserve the medication’s durability and effectiveness, keep it within this temperature range.

Q. Will Enbrel cause weight gain?

Ans- No, Enbrel does not cause weight gain or weight loss. Enbrel is an autoimmune drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. While some drugs used to treat these disorders may induce weight gain, Enbrel is not known to cause weight gain directly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Enbrel (etanercept) can be a beneficial medication for controlling autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, it is essential to evaluate the effects of food on your general health and the effectiveness of the treatment.

Be Sure to Read

  1. Foods to Avoid while on Stelara
  2. Foods to Avoid while Taking Spironolactone
  3. Mesenteric adenitis foods avoid
  4. foods to avoid with a hiatal hernia

References

  1. Etanercept (Enbrel): update on therapeutic use
  2. Enbrel in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
  3. Etanercept (Enbrel) in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Dr Maria

MD. Board Certified physician. Fellowship In Family Medicine UK. 8 years of medical experience in Lifestyle-related health disorders. Graduated from AIIMS – All India Institute Of Medical Science, INDIA

Related Articles

Back to top button