find that they are allergic to things such as nuts, pollen or cats. They may have a severe allergy and anaphylactic reaction or complaints of stuffy nose, watery eyes, or itchy throat. This represents only one type of immune reaction. There are other delayed and chronic immune reactions that can be assessed and contribute to a dysfunctional immune system. In addition, an individual may have food intolerances that do not directly involve the immune system but involve nutritional deficiencies and the body’s ability to break down and eliminate certain foods. Clinical research has shown that the resulting “leaky gut” related to these adverse food reactions is an important causative factor in many autoimmune conditions. Naturopathic doctors can further evaluate patients to differentiate these types of reactions.
Restoring Gut Health Now that we understand the
physiological mechanisms that contribute to autoimmune diseases, how can these causes be addressed? How do we repair the microbiome and the “leaky gut”? Each autoimmune disease may have a unique presentation of symptoms and each individual may have unique triggers for immune dysfunction. While individuality in treatment is important, there are several areas of focus that will help most people suffering with autoimmune diseases.
1.Reducing stress is critical. Stress has been shown to adversely affect the gut microbiome. A review of randomized control trials including data from 1602 participants showed a significant change in immune cell activity after participa- tion in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduc- tion. Guided mediation, yoga, prayer and time spent in nature have all been shown to reduce stress and would there- fore improve immune function.
2.Decrease environmental toxins. Promoting the body’s ability to elimi- nate toxins is another important aspect of treatment for autoimmune diseases. Herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, car exhaust, mercury amalgam fillings, plas- tics, detergents and household cleaners make up only a fraction of the potential sources of toxins in our environment. Research has shown an increased incidence of Lupus among farmers exposed to herbicides and pesticides. Reducing exposure to such toxins by choosing cleaner products used both in and around the home, consuming unprocessed organic whole foods, and having mercury fillings removed are
ways to begin mitigating environmental exposure known to affect autoimmunity. Participating in a supervised detoxifica- tion program with a licensed naturo- pathic doctor can significantly reduce the body’s toxic burden and improve immune function. Including foods that improve detoxification such as spirulina, chlorella, turmeric, ginger, leafy greens, broccoli and other cruciferous vegeta- ble, garlic and of course increasing your water intake will help your body man- age toxin exposure on a daily basis.
3.Eliminate processed foods. One of the easiest ways to affect autoimmunity and the gut microbiome is through our diet. A recent study from 2018 provided evidence that artificial sweeteners are toxic to gut bacteria. Eliminating foods that are known to disrupt gut bacteria and cause inflam- mation such as sugar, processed and packaged foods, artificial food dyes and sweeteners, and alcohol will improve the health of the digestive tract.
4.Determine adverse food reactions. Celiac Disease is an example of an autoimmune disease for which there is specific testing available to evaluate tol- erance of gluten. Unfortunately, it is not as straight forward for other conditions. Naturopathic doctors are able to go a step further and evaluate an individual’s adverse food reaction triggers. By deter- mining these foods and avoiding them, the body is able to begin healing the “leaky” intestinal wall and rebuilding the immune system.
5.Add herbs and probiotics to your diet. Oregano oil, Berberine, Artemisia Asia, and Peppermint are herbs that may be used in eliminating the “bad” microbes. Probiotics in the form of capsules, pow- ders, and fermented foods are critical in treating autoimmunity and “leaky gut”. Eating yogurt is just not enough, even if it’s Greek yogurt! Finding a good quality probiotic with at least a 10 billion count of bacteria and a variety of different microbial strains is necessary for ef- ficacy. Consulting a holistic healthcare provider can help guide you to a high- quality product.
6.Check Vitamin D levels. Ensuring optimal Vitamin D levels is important for all individuals with autoimmune disease. Vitamin D is not a vitamin, it’s a hormone! Like all hormones, Vitamin D is responsible for many things in the body including calcium regulation and bone metabolism as well as immune
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