Autoimmune diseases are the 3rd leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized world, surpassed only by cancer and heart disease. Nearly 80% of those affected with an autoimmune disease are women, usually of childbearing age or women under age 65. The National Institute for Health estimates that there are now 23 million Americans with an autoimmune condition, and that number is on the rise. To put that into perspective, 9 million Americans are affected by cancer.
Some of the common autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, celiac and inflammatory bowel disease, however researchers have identified 80-100 different autoimmune diseases and suspect 40 additional diseases of having an autoimmune basis. Some, such as type 1 diabetes, attack specific organs, while others, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), involve multiple organs. Dr. Jonathan Wright, M.D., reports that low stomach acid is present in ~50% of SLE patients.
Your immune system is designed to attack foreign substances in the body. When you have an autoimmune disease something goes wrong with your immune system and it attacks healthy cells, tissues and organs. This can damage many parts of the body such as the:
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According to Dr. Esther Sternberg, “a reduction of the brain’s hormonal stress response is an important contributor to the development of autoimmune diseases. The reason for this is that cortisol, a potent anti-inflammatory hormone, that is released from the adrenal glands in response to stress, is also released after exposure to inflammatory triggers.”
In normal circumstances cortisol prevents an excess of inflammation and keeps your immune system in check. In many people with autoimmune diseases, this cortisol response and the cascade of brain hormones that stimulates its release are impaired, so there is no shutoff valve that stops inflammation when it is no longer needed. In others, the cortisol response may be intact but immune cells are resistant to the anti-inflammatory effects of cortisol due to abnormalities in the cortisol receptor. Many symptoms of fibromyalgia are parallel to symptoms of adrenal fatigue. The adrenals cannot be overlooked for those suffering from fibromyalgia and other autoimmune diseases.
Some autoimmune diseases are known to begin or worsen with certain triggers such as viral infections like Epstein-Barr. Sunlight acts as a trigger for lupus and can actually make things worse. Other less understood influences affecting the immune system and autoimmune diseases include toxic overload, detoxification deficiency, aging, hormones, pregnancy and chronic stress whether it be emotional, psychological, electromagnetic, environmental or physical. There is a definite relationship between ongoing stressful life events before the onset of autoimmune disease.
A person’s genetic makeup might play a role in causing autoimmune diseases, or at least make them more susceptible to them. A deficiency in one of the immune system's enzymes can affect the severity of autoimmune diseases.
It’s important to be aware of the factors that can be avoided to help prevent or minimize the amount of damage from the autoimmune disease.
Contributing triggers worth investigating with Autoimmune Diseases:
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In a recent BioSignature course presented by Charles Poliquin, he stated that fibromyalgia has 6 causes:
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Regardless of the cause of an autoimmune disease, there is ALWAYS a component of poor digestion and gut dysbiosis. In some cases, poor gut health caused the autoimmune disease. Bacterial imbalance in the GI tract can also promote inflammation that contributes to autoimmune disease. (Tlaskalová-Hogenová et al. (Immunology Letters. May 15, 2004;93[2–3]:97–108).
Many of the conventional approaches available for autoimmune disease can make you feel worse. Steroids, Advil, immune suppressants and TNF-alpha blockers can lead to psychosis, osteoporosis, kidney failure, diabetes, intestinal bleeding, and cancer.
Diet/Nutrition, Lifestyle, Environment, Exercise and Supplements:
Although each autoimmune disease comes with its own symptoms and specific remedies, the following are helpful for all:
** Nutritional deficiencies and poor nutrition compromise the immune system. Start with your diet. Include organic vegetables and fruits, free-range poultry and eggs, wild fish, grass-fed beef and plenty of healthy fats such as coconut oil, olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocado
** Eliminate and completely avoid all gluten, wheat, sugar, HFCS, lentils, beans, dairy and yeast (beer). Researchers believe that one of the possible causes of autoimmune ailments is certain foods that are new to humanity which have only appeared in the past 40,000 years.
** Our thoughts and feelings have a direct impact on our immune system. Loneliness is now recognized as the #1 predictor of disease due to its immune suppressing action. Laughter and feelings of happiness increase and enhance the actions of our immune cells. Surround yourself with people that support you and make you feel good, and avoid low vibration, energy vampires.
** Lose Weight! Extra weight increases your risk of autoimmune disease.
** Find and eliminate the cause of all inflammation – This includes inflammatory foods in your Diet; Environmental toxins; etc.
** Although each individual has their unique set of needs, balance the immune system and take immune enhancing supplements such as: (contact me to order)
- Antioxidants – Vitamins C and E, Selenium, CoQ10, Beta carotene
- BioD Mulsion Forte – Vitamin D
- Curcumin – I like Thorne Meriva-SR. Ginger, Oregano, Rosemary
- Digestive Enzymes
- Green Tea (EGCG) polyphenols increase T-cell production and reduce inflammation
- Omega-3 fatty acids – fish oil, I like EFA Sirt Supreme caps or OmegAvail Smoothie
- Probiotics, especially for those with allergies, IBS and/or on antibiotics
** Practice some form of deep relaxation daily such as deep breathing, massage, meditation or yoga. Unmanaged stress makes symptoms worse.
** Green tea – There are beneficial compounds found in green tea, a polyphenol called EGCG, that have a powerful ability to increase the number of regulatory T cells that play a key role in immune function and suppression of autoimmune diseases
** Engage in resistance training at least 2x per week that works the major muscle groups
** Sunshine exposure for at least 20-30 minutes daily is beneficial for the immune system and stimulates vitamin D production. Note: Sunlight acts as a trigger for lupus and can actually make things worse.
** Heal the gut – A Healthy Gut = A Healthy Person
** Avoid processed soy. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition documents an association of soy formula feed infants an autoimmune thyroid disease in children.
** Test and rule out (very important)
- Food Allergies/Sensitivities
- Heavy Metal Body Burdens – Note: Amalgam removal also improved health in about 70% of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis in a 2010 Czech study.
- Candida and Parasites
- Celiac Disease
- Viral or Bacterial Infections
- Lyme’s disease
- Hypothyroid with a thorough panel
- Hypoglycemia
- Weak adrenal function
- Anemia
** Make sure you get at least 8 hours of restful sleep in a pitch dark room every night and unplug all electrical devices in your bedroom
** Consider EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)
** Find and work with a functional, integrative practitioner for a proper diagnosis and healing protocol
For a personalized program for your specific concerns, please contact me and I will guide you to a healthier path.
Copyright © 2011 Paula Owens
Sources: 1. Oregon State University (2011, June 2). Mechanism discovered for health benefit of green tea, new approach to autoimmune 2. J Am Coll Nutr December 2002 21:495-505 3. J Am Coll Nutr April 1990 9:164-7 4. University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center (2011, January 5). Vitamin D deficiencies may impact onset of autoimmune lung disease. 5. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 1997;56(3):193-8. 6. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/03/990301072835.htm 7. http://www.tuesdayminute.net/Mechanisms%20of%20Disease%20the%20role%20of%20intestinal%20barrier.pdf 8. http://www.lef.org/newsletter/2011/0607_Tea-Mechanism-in-Preventing-Autoimmune-Disease-Uncovered.htm 9. Ann Rheum Dis. 2007 Sep;66:1137-42 10. Siegel, C.A., Marden, S.M., Persing, S.M., et al. (2009). Risk of lymphoma associated with combination anti-tumor necrosis factor and immunomodulator therapy for the treatment of Crohn’s disease: a meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 7(8): 874-81. 11. Annals of Medicine2011;Feb 1:1-7
