Autoimmune Disease
The immune system is responsible for protecting us from bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other pathogens. However many factors of modern life have created exploding rates of immune-related disorders, including autoimmunity – a condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys body tissue. Autoimmune disease can affect any part of the body.
The number of diagnosed cases of autoimmune disease in the United States is staggering. At least 1 out of every 9 women, and 1 out of every 12 men, has an autoimmune disease in the United States today. Many more are not diagnosed. According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Doctors receive minimal education on Autoimmune diseases and initial symptoms are difficult to diagnose even by medical specialists.
Autoimmunity means the immune system cannot distinguish certain tissues in the body from antigens (a molecule that induces an immune response). As a result it attacks the tissue it was designed to protect as if it were an intruder.
Some of the most common autoimmune diseases today are:
- Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Celiac Disease
- Pernicious Anemia
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Psoriasis
- Lupus
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
All of them inevitably involve gut dysfunction, such as leaky gut and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Autoimmunity develops overtime
Genetic predisposition, gut dysbiosis, diet and environmental factors such as environmental toxins and chronic stress play major roles in the development of autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmunity typically develops over time. Initially autoimmune disease symptoms are vague, and sadly for many patients, they progress and become debilitating before proper diagnosis and treatment occurs.
The functional medicine practitioner who is familiar with autoimmune triggers can determine the right combination of laboratory tests and treatment protocols necessary to alleviate symptoms, and may even successfully help shift the autoimmunity into remission.
Our Method of Healing
We Find The Root Causes For True Healing
Chronic illness can present with different symptoms and challenges so there is no “cookie-cutter” treatment that works for everyone. Instead, our personalized protocols are individualized with a person’s specific focus. This way we are able to address each person’s unique root cause through our functional medicine approach.
The 3 stages of autoimmunity
- Stage 1: Silent autoimmunity – Positive antibodies but not symptoms or loss of function.
- Stage 2: Autoimmune reactivity – Positive antibodies and symptoms and loss of function. But not complete destruction of the tissue associated with disease.
- Stage 3: Autoimmune disease – Positive antibodies and significant symptoms, with significant loss of function. Can be identified with imaging status such as MRI, nerve conducting testing, etc…
While each condition might affect the gut in it’s own way, all autoimmunity has roots in inflammation and leaky gut. To set the stage for recovery or remission you must learn how to support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and support your gut health for the long term.
Do you suffer from an autoimmune disease? Here are my recommendations:
- Get tested for mercury and other heavy metals and unburden your body
- Get test for celiac disease, and autoimmune reaction to wheat and other gluten-containing grains which causes over 60 autoimmune diseases
- Test and eliminate all allergenic (inflammatory) foods from your diet
- Improve your immune function using a plant-based diet and supplements, including vitamin D, beneficial Omega-3 fats, and probiotics
- Improve your body’s own detoxification system
If your current approach has not resolved your symptoms and did not stop the progression of your autoimmune disease, it’s time to address the root causes of your condition and start getting well today.
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