An estimated 1.5 million Americans and at least five million people worldwide are living with some form of lupus, an unpredictable and potentially fatal autoimmune disease. While medications are important to managing lupus, there also are a number of lifestyle adjustments people with lupus can make to help keep the physical symptoms of the disease under control.

Diet and weight management are important tools. People with lupus should eat a nutritious, well-balanced, and varied diet that contains plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and moderate amounts of meats, poultry, and oily fish.

The Lupus Foundation of America will conduct a live chat through its website on the topic of "Healthy Eating and Weight Management in Lupus" on Wednesday, November 12, beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern time. The chat is accessible through the LFA website at www.lupus.

The guest expert is Dr. Laura Coleman, a Project Scientist at the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation (MCRF), in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Dr. Coleman is a registered dietitian who has published numerous articles on diet and rheumatic disease and is the editor of a new textbook entitled "Nutrition and Rheumatic Disease," published by Humana Press.

Individuals may submit questions to Dr. Coleman in advance or during the course of the chat. A transcript of the chat will be posted to the LFA website the following day.

Submit an advance question prior to November 12: www.lupus/newsite/pages/submit_question.html

Log into the live chat on November 12: www.lupus/newsite/pages/chat_login.html

About Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease which is the result of an unbalanced immune system that can be destructive to any organ or tissue in the body. The health consequences of lupus include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, premature birth, miscarriages, and organ failure.

About the LFA

The Lupus Foundation of America is the foremost national nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and for providing support, services and hope to all people affected by lupus. The LFA and its network of nearly 300 chapters, branches, and support groups conduct programs of research, education, and advocacy. www.lupus