Heal and Reverse Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune diesases have increased dramatically over the last 30 years, so let's talk about how to heal and reverse auto-immune disease. Some people have made drastic changes to their diet and lifestyle and addressed the root causes of disease, i.e. food sensitivities, viral, bacterial or pathogenic infections, toxic burden, nutrient deficiencies, and emotional stress and live pain free.
A few not so fun facts are:
- 80% of autoimmune diseases are in women.
- Researchers have identified over 100 autoimmune conditions.
- Estimated 1 in 15 have an autoimmune disease in USA.
Your immune system is your body's security system. It is designed to detect foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses or toxins in your body and provoke a strong immune response of inflammatory cytokines to eliminate them. However autoimmune conditions occur when the inflammation does not subside and becomes chronic - damaging healthy cells or tissues.
The most common autoimmune diseases are:
1. Type 1 diabetes - damage in insulin producing cells in the pancreas.
2. Rhuematoid arthritis - inflammation and pain in joints.
3. Hashimotos thyroiditis - inflammation and damage in the thyroid.
4. Graves disease - overproduction of thyroid hormones.
5. Multiple sclerosis - damage to the myelin sheath of nerve cells.
6. Inflammatory bowel disease - affects the intestinal wall e.g. Crohns or Ulcerative Colitis.
7. Celiac disease - damages the small intestine.
8. Sjogren disease - affects the glands that provide eye and mouth lubrication.
9. Lupus - can affect joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, and heart.
10. Psoriasis - affects the skin and nails.
Seven factors that contribute to autoimmune disease:
Genetics - your parent's gut health can impact your gut microbiome diversity. However although genetics loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger.
Infections - bacteria, parasitic, viruses (either natural or through a vaccination) and other opportunistic pathogens can trigger an immune system response and an autoimmune disease.
Leaky gut - 70% of your immune system resides in the gut. Inflammation in the gut can lead to damage of the gut lining and cause gut permeability, which allows toxins to enter the bloodstream, triggering an immune response. Antibiotics can decimate gut microbiome diversity, wiping out healthy good bacteria. An imbalance of pathogenic bacteria can damage the intestinal wall and contribute to leaky gut.
Diet - sugar can directly increase inflammatory markers and cause damage to the gut lining.
Environmental toxins - chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides and toxins in vaccinations that enter the body can find a home in tissue and cause damage.
Hormone imbalances. Our bodies are finely tuned machines trying to maintain balance (homeostasis) of your hormones, e.g. cortisol, insulin, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone etc. Common endocrine disruptors which upset this balance are: plastics, GMO foods, chemicals, medications, birth control pills, synthetic fragrance in perfumes, candles, etc.
Mental or emotional stress - when stress hormones increase it can cause a "flare" of autoimmune symptoms.
A common treatment to manage autoimmune symptoms is anti-inflammatories; however removing inflammatory food and consuming natural anti-inflammatory foods helps address the cause rather than the symptoms.
Foods known to inflame autoimmune conditions are:
Gluten. Gluten sensitivity was unknown before hybridising the wheat grain and spraying with glyphosate (roundup) to dry crops out before harvest. The protein of the hybrised grain is harder to digest. Glyphosate kills good gut bacteria.
Dairy foods - consumption of casein is associated with increased inflammation of the gastrointestinal lining.
Sugar is closely associated with occurence and development of chronic inflammation and autoimmune conditions as it decreases the healthy gut bacteria population of Bacteroidetes; which is necessary to protect the gut barrier function.
Processed foods and processed oils introduce chemicals into the body that it does not recognise as food contributing to inflammation.
Alcohol throws off the balance between good and bad bacteria in the oral and gut microbiome. When alcohol moves into the bloodstream it can exacerbate autoimmune symptoms.
The above foods are best to avoid to heal the gut microbiome and ease autoimmune symptoms.
There are a few other foods like red meat, eggs and nightshades which seem to be fine for some people and aggravate symptoms for others, so it is worth doing an elimination diet to find your triggers.
Lectins found in grains and beans can also be problematic for some people. They are not digestible when raw, so it is important to soak and cook them well, as they may be a stressor to your digestive system.
Foods that heal autoimmune disease.
Choose foods that do not provoke inflammation.
Cooked food is easier to digest so steamed veggies, soups, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, steamed green leafy veggies, beans, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, mushrooms, stewed fruit, cooked rice, quinoa, buckwheat are all good options. Berries, kiwi, pineapple, banana and coconut yoghurt are delicious treats.
Soak nuts to improve digestibility.
Organic is best if possible as it reduces the toxic burden.
Omega 3s are powerful anti-inflammatories. Include chia seeds, flaxseed, walnuts, organic soy or tofu, avocado, (eggs and wild caught salmon if these are not trigger foods for you.)
Turmeric isn't just a flavourful spice, it is a source of pain relief and a potent anti-inflammatory. Ginger, cayenne, and cinnamon are other spices to incorporate in your meals or drinks.
Ginger tea, licorice tea and green tea are also great anti-inflammatories.
Herbs like parsley, basil, chives, mint, coriander amp up the nutrition of meals.
If meat is not inflammatory for you, choose organic meat. Some people find bone broth which contains the amino acids proline, glycine and glutamine helps heal the gut lining.
Keep meals simple and limit too much variety of foods in a meal.
A consultation with a qualified natural medicine practitioner
can support you with meal ideas and plans or an elimination diet.
Healing herbal and nutrient supplements:
These can vary depending on the specific autoimmune condition and nutrient deficiencies.
Astragalas and Vitamin C help to reduce C-reactive protein - an inflammatory marker.
Boswelia can help reduce pain and stiffness.
Turmeric and ginger are great anti-inflammatories.
Licorice - one of the oldest and most popular immunomodulatory herbal medicines has shown benefits in MS, lupus and IBD.
Reishi Mushrooms - help reduce inflammation and pain.
Adaptogen herbs like ginseng can help modulate the immune system, protect from infection, help the body adapt to stress and has shown benefit with type 1 diabetes, MS, RA, lupus.
Probiotics to improve gut health.
Magnesium - is a common deficiency due to stress or a high sugar diet.
Methylated B vitamins. Some autoimmune patients have mutations at the MTHFR gene that inhibit conversion of B vitamins.
Zinc - essential to regulate gut permeability.
Vitamin A - promotes normal function of cytokines - chemical messengers that regulate inflammation.
When it comes to nutrient deficiences - test don't guess!
A hair mineral test can help identify deficiencies and imbalances.
A consult with a qualified natural medicine practitioner can connect you with hair mineral analysis.
Food should be the focus to get the nutrients we need, as vitamins and minerals in their natural form are easiest for the body to absorb.
“Let food be your medicine and medicine your food.” - Hippocrates
Other factors that can help support healing are:
Sleep 8 hours. Try to be in bed by 10pm at the latest as the body does its healing work while you sleep.
Spend time in nature. Connect with the earth to reduce inflammation. Walk daily.
Regulate your nervous system with deep breathing, prayer, meditation, infrared sauna.
Increase pain relieving endorphins by doing things which bring you pleasure - hobbies, spending time in community with family and friends, gardening, reading, etc.
A 3 day fast each month/season - you can include a freshly squeezed vegetable juice, herbal teas, bone broth, for supportive nutrients to nourish the body, (and plant protein drink if needed).
Acupuncture to increase energy flow through the body.
Clean up your environment from chemicals and mould.
Do a parasite cleanse.
Do a detox.
Deal with emotional baggage from the past. 80% of dis-ease has an emotional or spiritual root. Forgive and release those who have hurt you. Practice an attitude of gratitude.
I offer an aromatherapy emotional release therapy using the healing power of plants to:
- Help break free from traumatic memories or past hurts.
- Move from worry to wisdom.
- Shift your perspective to support your highest good.
- Create affirmations that support your wellbeing.
Get in touch if this sounds like something that would benefit you.
References:
Zampieron, Eugene R.; Kamhi, Ellen J. (2012). Natural support for autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Journal of Restorative Medicine, Volume 1, Number 1, 9 January 2012, pp. 38-47(10)