Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s white blood cells destroy the exocrine glands, specifically the salivary and lacrimal glands, that produce saliva and tears. Due to a lack of secretion, the body experiences extreme dryness. Venus Williams was diagnosed with this in 2011 but started noticing symptoms in 2004. As a professional athlete, Sjögren’s syndrome can be debilitating since it is known to cause joint pain. In fact, Venus was on a brief hiatus because of this. To this day, there is no cure for the disease, but Venus is fighting back…through her diet. Apparently, a raw vegan diet helps alleviate the symptoms. Here is a quick look at Venus’s diet:
•Juicing – the process of extracting juice from plant tissues such as fruits or vegetables.
oMakes it easy for people who don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables
oPicking a range of colors exposes you to more vitamins and nutrients.
oMix some pulp in the juice to get fiber
•Wheatgrass Shots – 2- 4 ounces of juice, made from the tender young shoots of the wheat plant.
oone of the best sources of living chlorophyll available today
oA superior detoxification agent compared to carrot juice and other fruits and vegetables.
oContains a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals, including the thirteen essential ones, combined with dozens of trace elements and enzymes.
•Fresh Juices
Venus describes herself as a “cheagan” or a cheating vegan. When talking about her diet she said, “I don’t always eat raw, especially before matches. When you eat raw it is not always enough calories for athletics, so I will eat some pasta and bread and rice for energy. I try to eat all-natural and organic. That is mostly my focus.” While a raw vegan diet helps Venus in her situation, it can improve anyone’s health. In fact, Venus was able to influence her sister, Serena, into taking up the same diet!