of Autoimmune Disease Reduce Your Risk By Nick Edgerton, ND


utoimmune (AI) diseases are becom- ing more common in developed countries. Physicians agree this problem is currently intensifying, some us- ing the language of epidemic proportions. There is not a well-defined mechanism of action behind these diseases. AI disease is an umbrella term for a disease in which human pathophysiology turns on oneself and begins to attack itself. The immune system is described as hyper-active. This can happen anywhere in the body. In fact, there are 100+ autoimmune diseases, from rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, mul- tiple sclerosis, to more rare diagnosis’ such as antiphospholipid syndrome.


A


Hygiene Hypothesis The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ questions if too clean of an environment is associ- ated with an increased risk of AI disease. Evidence seems to support the theory that germs help educate and regulate your im- mune system. For example, there is correla- tion between the rise in cesarean sections and the rise in AI disease. The mechanism is the absence of interaction with the vaginal flora. The hygiene hypothesis is extrapolated to other aspects of infancy and childhood. Breastfeeding offers the transmission of an- tibodies as well as beneficial bacteria from


the mother's milk to the infant. Being breast- fed was associated with a lower incidence of diabetes, celiac disease, multiple sclero- sis and asthma, explained by the protection against early infections, anti-inflammatory properties, and regulation of infant's micro- biome. It has been speculated that having siblings can reduce the likelihood of devel- oping AI diseases. A questionnaire-based study found children whose families washed dishes by hand versus using a ‘sterilizing’ dishwasher had significantly less eczema, hay fever, and asthma. Other sources of ‘good germs’ for kids can come from play- ing outside. This is supported by a study that showed chronic subjection to farm dust helped lower the allergic tendency towards house dust mites.


The microbiome is an ecosystem of


microbes living in a human, mostly con- centrated in the intestinal tract. It can be negatively affected by the aforementioned lifestyle factors as well as stress and lack of exercise. The microbiome is often measured by its diversity and abundance of microbes. A recent study pointed out that decreased diversity and a shift towards inflammatory microbes usually precedes the onset of Type 1 Diabetes in children with genetic risk factors.


Speaking of genetics, certain genes with


various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs = genetic variations) have been linked as risk factors for AI disease. However, this is never perfect because there are many genes at play, and the environment that governs the genes is always changing.


Leaky Gut We are supposed to digest food in the


intestinal tract and absorb the micronutri- ents into the blood. However, if there is inflammation present from excess stress or an inflammatory diet, then the intestinal walls become more permeable. This leads to extravasation of food proteins from the intestinal tract into the lymphatic tract, a major part of your immune system. Here you may make antibodies against foreign invaders, or in this case, food proteins like gluten. These antibodies will look for certain protein patterns to attack and destroy. The theory is that these antibodies not only attack food proteins but turn and attack cer- tain tissues in your body with similar protein patterns.


Stress Botanical Therapy + Naturopathic Wellness Center


Based on correlation studies, AI dis- eases seem to begin after significant stress- ors. Perhaps this goes along with the leaky gut theory above. Infection is considered a stressor, and we see AI diseases stem from certain infections known as enteroviruses, specifically coxsackie virus. It is thought that the coxsackie virus may have a similar protein pattern as pancreatic beta cells. So, when the immune system attacks the virus, the pancreas ends up being attacked and losing the cells responsible for making insulin, rendering Type 1 Diabetes. Also, postpartum, whether blissful or challeng- ing, seems to be a common time where AI disease processes begin. Physical-mental- emotional trauma has also been a common- ality in the predisposition of AI disease.


Lifestyle Modifications


Reduction in inflammatory burden is most important. Nutrition is the best place


18 Natural Nutmeg - April 2018


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