The concept that all disease becomes autoimmune was the topic of a course I recently took and would like to share it as a reason to boost your nutrition. Autoimmunity occurs when your immune system gets confused and attacks your own tissues. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (aarda.org) lists 155 illnesses, with the list growing each year. One in 6 Americans has one or more autoimmune diseases and four of the top 10 drugs, in sales, in the U.S. are for autoimmune related diseases. I will give you a brief background in the disease process and strategies to boost the body’s immune system.
Poor nutrition is partly contributing to the rise of autoimmune related diseases. Most of us think of boosting our immune system during cold and flu season through nutrition with strategies like eating extra fruit. Unlike the way the body fights off a cold in a matter of days, an autoimmune disease can take decades to develop. One study of veterans diagnosed with Lupus, found markers for the disease in blood tests, years before they were diagnosed. Autoimmunity is not the cause of the disease, but rather an advanced stage in the degenerative disease process.
There are two main parts of the immune system: innate immunity and acquired immunity. The innate immune system provides broad protection against pathogens and keeps us free of infection. Good nutrition is necessary for the functioning of the innate immune system. The acquired immune system handles the big stuff by creating very specific antibodies against pathogenic microbes (foreign proteins) that invade the body. It also attacks body proteins as a way to keep unwanted tissue growth in check. The problem occurs when this system gets out of balance.
Poor nutrition leads to the development of autoimmunity in a number of ways. A weak innate immune system allows latent pathogens to linger creating an overactive acquired immune system. Inflammation and other sources of tissue degeneration also increase the formation of autoantibodies. Either way, the body’s acquired immune system ramps up, goes awry and begins to attack itself. This process is called cross-reactivity or molecular mimicry. Ultimately, it is a runaway immune response resulting from your body attacking its own tissues.
To address autoimmunity, it’s important to identify the root cause of the inflammation. Underlying causes may include stress, hidden infections, food sensitivities, toxic exposure, nutrient deficiencies, and leaky gut. We can then begin to heal the body through proper nutrition and other lifestyle strategies. It’s important to recognize if unrelated signs and symptoms be may related to the development of an autoimmune disease. Use these strategies to address the development of inflammation and the autoimmune process:
- Eat a nutrient dense, whole food, anti-inflammatory diet.
- Balance blood sugar. Sugar suppresses the innate immune system.
- Check for hidden food sensitivities, especially gluten and dairy.
- Check for hidden infections such as yeast, viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
- Test for heavy metal toxicity. Usually done through a hair analysis.
- Test for mineral ratios and deficiencies. Also done with hair analysis.
- Fix the gut, by addressing intestinal permeability and dysbiosis.
- Consider adding whole food supplements. Avoid synthetic isolates.
- Make sure to move regularly, especially if you have a sedentary job.
- Practice deep relaxation. Stress reduction is as important as nutrition.
- Sleep for 7-8 hours every night so the body can repair itself properly.
- Eliminate exposure to toxins, pesticides, heavy metals and chemicals.
- Do a cleanse program or detoxification program once a year.
Contact me today to learn how to implement these strategies such as boosting your immune system, addressing intestinal issues or conducting any of the mentioned lab tests to prevent the progression of autoimmune disease.