Perhaps you have been diagnosed with one or more autoimmune conditions or experienced symptoms that seem difficult to pinpoint and identify. The signs and symptoms of autoimmune conditions vary widely and may affect each person differently. Depending on the specific type of autoimmune disease, whole systems or different organs may be affected such as the thyroid gland in Hashimoto’s Disease or the body’s connective tissue in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. With high chances of undergoing lifelong therapies to manage this imbalance, employing botanical medicine, personalized nutrition with intuitive eating, and lifestyle modifications under the guidance of your licensed naturopathic physician* are safe and effective options to assist your body in naturally achieving homeostasis (balance).
Causes of Autoimmunity
An autoimmune disease develops when your own immune system attacks your body, rather than protecting it from foreign pathogens causing disease. Naturally, your body remains protected from harmful environmental stimuli such as irritants, pathogens, and damaged cells by means of an inflammatory response, where your defense cells attack and destroy the infectious agent or abnormal cell! Once the problem is fixed, your body suppresses and regulates its inflammatory response to maintain homeostasis. However, individuals with autoimmune disease suffer from prolonged inflammation which causes damage and eventual destruction of nearby tissues.2 These self-attacks can occur anywhere in the body, affecting optimal functioning and reducing quality of life.
Signs and Symptoms of Autoimmunity
In autoimmune conditions, your immune system has lost its self-tolerance, harming the very tissues and organs it was designed to protect. Allopathic practices manage symptoms of autoimmune disease primarily by suppressing the immune system. However, it falls short on identifying and treating the complex root causes of the symptoms you are experiencing. Why Does My Body Do This?
You may have asked yourself this question. Autoimmune disease involves a complex interplay of many factors and body systems. At Natural Path to Wellness, your team of naturopathic medicine advisors are committed to guiding you in understanding your immune health and making the right choices as your body heals itself naturally. Our team’s mission is to help you understand and address the roles of:
Genetic Influence Some people are more likely to develop certain disease conditions than others due to differences in genetic background. However, our behavior and environment can play major roles in how our cells read and express our genes, affecting our risks of experiencing disease symptoms. For example, you may have the gene for Celiac Disease, but that gene may remain inactivated and not cause harm until your body becomes triggered by stress or illness. Nutrition The Standard American Diet is high in processed foods, simple sugars, unhealthy oils, poor-quality fats, and artificially-preserved meats, which are major drivers of inflammation and poor gut health. Rich in Omega-6 fatty acids but lacking in Omega-3, this diet consists of an imbalanced proportion of healthy and unhealthy fats and can eventually trigger low-grade systemic inflammation. Additionally, lack of essential nutrients from poor dietary choices can cause weakened immune function. By incorporating chia seeds, flax seeds, and seafood like salmon, sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and oysters into your meals, you can increase your body’s absorption of Omega-3 and help regulate its inflammatory response. If you are still unable to get the recommended amount of Omega-3’s, a good-quality fish oil can be a great way to supplement. Gastrointestinal Health An unbalanced diet can negatively impact gut health, alongside viruses, bacteria, stress, and medications. Because certain medications, such as antibiotics, are taken and absorbed by our gastrointestinal system, these can negatively affect the balance of the beneficial and harmful bacteria in our gut overtime, leading to inflammation and an exaggerated immune response. Mental Health Excessive inflammation, often triggered by stress and depression, causes harmful growth of bacteria that can lead to an imbalance in the natural metabolic activities of the gut and damage to its protective barrier. Naturally, our gut’s barrier prevents the entry of toxic elements into the bloodstream. With a leaky gut (a.k.a. intestinal hyperpermeability), tiny bits of undigested food, pathogens, and other foreign objects may enter the blood and provoke another immune response! This makes your body go on high alert and attack! Sleep Your body is doing important work while you sleep to prepare you for another day of activities. It cleanses, detoxifies, and repairs itself. Without an adequate amount of sleep, you may encounter increased inflammation and difficulties in effectively managing your stress and health issues. Physical Activity Regular exercise helps maintain balance and harmony of beneficial microorganisms needed for optimal body function. Consistent physical activity additionally improves digestion by facilitating movement of food, regulating signals within the gastrointestinal system, and improving local blood flow. For autoimmune conditions affecting connective tissue (like muscles and joints), gentle movement can help reduce pain and improve mobility. Take care not to overdo it, though. You may need to work up slowly to prevent increasing inflammation. Exposure to Pathogens Harmful bacteria, toxins, or viruses can cause negative changes to your body’s normal microbiota, which can affect the regulation of your immune system. Once invaded, the good bacteria in your gut which help in maintaining internal balance may be destroyed, resulting in an imbalance that will eventually cause problems with how your body distinguishes harmful pathogens from its own cells. This ultimately causes your immune response to malfunction and become overactive, leading to inflammation and the development of an autoimmune condition. Trauma The nervous system is intertwined with the digestive system. Trauma dysregulates the nervous system, causing a widespread effect to other parts of your body. The vagus nerve, extending from the brain to the abdomen, plays a role in mind-body connection. It is part of your parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for helping you rest and digest. Talking to your naturopathic medicine advisors will assist you in exploring natural and holistic approaches to stimulating your vagus nerve and strengthening the connection that helps your body achieve and maintain homeostasis. The Role of Naturopathic Medicine
*At Natural Path to Wellness, our team of licensed naturopathic physicians (naturopathic medicine advisors for clients in states that do not regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine) are committed to guiding you through making empowered choices. We value seeking natural options for your unique needs so that you can truly get to the heart of the matter and address the root cause of your symptoms. All of our Naturopathic Medicine Advisors earned doctorates in naturopathic medicine from medical schools accredited by the CNME which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. We believe in the healing power of nature and trust in the inherent intelligence of the human body to heal itself given the right conditions. We understand that identifying and addressing the root cause and treating the whole person are absolutely essential for restoring your body’s dynamic balance. Let us help you return to optimal functioning and radiant health today! Send us an email at [email protected] to learn more about how to work with us to help restore your body’s natural ability to heal itself. Wishing you peace and vitality, Vanessa S., contributor Edited by: Kate Nemenzo Some of Our favorite supplements for autoimmunity
Remember - Autoimmune diseases are serious, degenerative conditions. Always communicate with the members of your care team, including any primary care providers or specialists, consultants, or nutritionists to keep them abreast of any changes you are making to your health regimen. Always be transparent about any nutritional/herbal or other supplements you are taking, as well as any complimentary treatments. This article is for education purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
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