You are probably familiar with the term "autoimmune". You might have seen the social media posts stating, "I just wish more people understood what an autoimmune disease is." It is true that most people do not display symptoms, and those with autoimmune issues have a difficult time expressing how they feel. It is also true that if you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn's, Celiac, Sjogren's, etc., you will most likely prone to having more than one.
This is a subject that I have been researching for years, ever since being diagnosed with crohn's disease in the 80's, and why I do what I do.
So, what is it exactly? Autoimmune means that the body has an immune reaction to substances naturally present in the body. In other words, the immune system attacks “self.” This can happen in most tissues in the body and, accordingly, there are more than 80 autoimmune diseases that have been named and described, the root being increasing inflammation in the body. Many autoimmune diseases are rare and have been the subject of very limited research but as a group, are common, affecting 7-10% of the population, with women being more affected.
Autoimmune diseases can be extremely difficult to diagnose and often present with vague, nonspecific symptoms like fatigue, odd pains, or skin rashes. Given the prevalence, along with the lack of scientific understanding and the vague symptoms, autoimmune diseases have become something of a “catch-all” in the public mind. If an illness goes undiagnosed, is composed of a collection of nonspecific symptoms, people might naturally wonder about “autoimmune.”
Autoimmune disease is extraordinarily complicated. There are several intertwined factors that may affect risk of autoimmune disease:
- Genes (especially celiac and ankylosing spondylitis)
- Infections
- Environmental factors (including diet, sun exposure, and tobacco use)
- Gut health (which includes the bacteria living in your intestine and their activity.
Leaky gut is a condition that always accompanies any autoimmune disease and treatment with probiotics has been shown to improve outcomes for patients. Having a healthy colony of beneficial bacteria is crucial for your immune function, your ability to absorb nutrients from food, and your ability to keep the intestinal barrier healthy so that partially digested food and other pathogens and bacteria don't get into the bloodstream.
There is no "cure" for autoimmune diseases, unlike what I thought years ago when the crohn's went into remission then returned with a vengeance, culminating in having a foot of my colon removed. At the time of diagnosis, there was no internet where I could play online doctor. The doctor treating me at first never took the time to educate me and continued to prescribe multiple medications. When I asked him what foods I should eat or not eat, he told me that food had nothing to do with this. By the time there was internet, I was too sick and tired and had resigned myself to thinking that this was my way of life. My story goes deeper, and I usually share more with whoever wants to hear. But I need to share the most important part of my journey: how finding the RIGHT resources and learning how changing my diet and lifestyle enabled me to be in remission and stay that way.
It is not just diet, but there is evidence that psychological factors can be a trigger. There are two ways in which our thoughts and emotions can impact GI health. First, we have a nervous system in our GI tract called the enteric nervous system that operates independent of our autonomic and central nervous systems. Also, there are psychological profiles of people who are more inclined to develop and maintain irritable bowel, even when they do all the right things to fix it.
I love sharing and teaching and go into more detail and depth regarding these conditions in my classes. Taking the steps to control your health is the best thing you can do. Keeping informed is the best way to make choices and there are many opportunities to learn.
1. Sign up for the newsletter if you haven't already.
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3. Schedule a health assessment and find out which program will work best for you.
4. Email me to learn about the healthy food offerings.
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Liz Fattore
Licensed Food Over Medicine Health Professional
Resources:
Thomas Campbell, M.D.
Pam Popper, PhD, ND
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