Did you know that autoimmune diseases, which impact millions of individuals, are increasing in prevalence? In the early 2000s, around 24 million people were found to have antinuclear antibodies. Presently, approximately 41 million individuals have been identified with ANA.
While it is true that healthy individuals might possess these antibodies, their existence frequently signifies autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, lupus, scleroderma, and Sjögren’s syndrome.
Autoimmune diseases manifest when your immune system initiates an assault on your organs, tissues, and cells, resulting in distressing symptoms that vary from chronic fatigue to joint pain to gastrointestinal distress.
At present, there is no known cure for autoimmune diseases, but you can still make use of natural remedies to significantly improve your condition. By making small adjustments to your diet and lifestyle, you can effectively manage your symptoms by lessening the inflammatory reaction.
Possible Causes, Risk Factors and Risk Groups of Autoimmune Diseases – Why The Immune System Attacks Your Own Healthy Cells?
In the case of an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakenly considers certain parts of the body, such as the joints, skin, nerves, thyroid, adrenal glands or blood cells, as foreign, although it can typically distinguish between foreign cells and your own cells.
Scientists still do not have a clear consensus on why the immune system, which is meant to safeguard individuals from viruses and pathogens, malfunctions by sending autoantibodies (proteins) to attack their own healthy cells.
However, there are various theories and it has been observed that some people may be at higher risk of developing autoimmune disease than others:
Gender. It has been observed that women suffer from autoimmune diseases about twice as often (6.4% of women vs. 2.7% of men) than men. But why is that? According to Dr. Gundry, one possible explanation is that a woman’s immune system must be able to do two things that are completely opposite. First, always monitor for pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and parasites, but at the same time focus on completely ignoring the largest parasite of all time during pregnancy. According to Dr. Steven Gundry, it might be precisely this dual role, along with a number of other factors, that may contribute to the confusion of the immune system in women.
Age. In women, autoimmune disease often begins between the ages of 15 and 44.
Ethnic group. Some autoimmune diseases are more common in specific ethnic groups. For example, lupus affects African Americans and Hispanics more than Caucasians.
Genetics. Some autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as lupus, tend to run in families. This does not mean that every member of the family has the same disorder, but they may inherit a predisposition to autoimmune disease.
The environment. As the prevalence of autoimmune diseases increases rapidly, researchers believe that environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals, heavy metals or solvents and infections may also increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases.
Nutrition. Although it is not yet scientifically proven, researchers suspect that the “Western diet” may be another major risk factor for developing an autoimmune disease. This is because processed, high-fat, and high-sugar foods can be associated with inflammation in the body, which in turn can trigger an immune response.
Gluten and lectins in food. Most believe that autoimmune diseases are the result of an attack by the immune system on a person’s own cells. However, according to Dr. Steven Gundry, the real reason for this may be a false identity when immune cells attack the body’s proteins, as they bear a strong resemblance to the proteins in lectins. The result is an attack on itself due to molecular similarity. In his view, this is a classic plant strategy that makes predators (in this case humans) suffer, or otherwise encourage these predators to eat something else, because these plants do not want to be eaten. Autoimmune diseases are difficult to understand precisely because they have so far been misunderstood and treated incorrectly.
Altered microbiome. Due to the proliferation of our modern food, some drugs such as Advil and Aleve, and antibiotics (both during treatment and by eating the meat of animals to whom antibiotics have been administered), our microbiome has completely changed, making autoimmune diseases more prevalent now than ever before.
Hygiene hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, low exposure to dirt, or all kinds of bacteria and microbes, are good for the development of our immune system. However, due to antiseptics, antibacterial cleaners and vaccines, children are not exposed to as many microbes today as they used to. Therefore, some researchers suspect that lack of exposure to microbes may make their immune system prone to overreacting to harmless substances.
Natural Remedies For Autoimmune Diseases
Drink More Green Tea
Epigallocatechin gallate, a compound found in green tea, has shown great effectiveness in reducing inflammation and alleviating symptoms of autoimmune disorders.
You have the option to introduce green tea into your daily diet either by consuming green tea extract or by substituting your morning coffee with this calming beverage.
Explore the health benefits of cannabis
The majority of medicinal cannabis and CBD users are represented by patients with chronic arthritis, as stated in a study published in the Molecules Journal.
The endocannabinoid system, which is present in the body, has CB1 and CB2 receptors that are crucial in the management of pain and inflammation.
By going to a nearby weed dispensary, you can gain knowledge about which medicinal marijuana products are most suitable for treating your particular ailment.
If you suffer from arthritis, applying a topical cream will specifically target inflammation, offering substantial pain relief. Similarly, individuals with IBD or Crohn’s Disease can alleviate inflammation in their gastrointestinal tract by consuming a cannabis tincture, RSO syringe, or edible. Nonetheless, it is crucial to purchase marijuana from a reputable supplier.
Eat More Mushrooms
Mushrooms possess inherent properties that have anticancer and immunomodulating effects, which are advantageous for the treatment of tumors and autoimmune disorders. Furthermore, mushrooms serve as a natural source of vitamin D and melatonin, both of which play a crucial role in regulating immune responses.
If you do not enjoy eating mushrooms, there is no need to worry because you can still take advantage of their medicinal properties by using mushroom extracts. Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Turkey Tail mushrooms are especially effective in treating autoimmune disorders.
Reishi mushroom extract can assist your body in managing the stress caused by inflammation, damaged blood vessels, lack of energy, and hormonal imbalances. Lion’s Mane mushroom extract can enhance your cognitive abilities, relieving brain fog associated with chronic fatigue. Additionally, Lion’s Mane mushrooms possess neuroprotective properties that support the formation and upkeep of brain cells. Turkey Tail mushroom extract is renowned for its ability to regulate immune response. Additionally, Turkey Tail mushrooms contain prebiotics, which aid in rebalancing your gut by encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Try a Mediterranean Diet
The Greek and Italian nutritional habits serve as inspiration for the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes a well-balanced consumption of fish, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains. Enrolling in a beneficial functional Nutrition Course can teach you the techniques to manage autoimmune problems effectively.
Salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel, all of them are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient that helps reduce inflammation and control the immune response.
Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated that the intake of omega-3 has been beneficial for patients with Crohn’s disease, lupus, and multiple sclerosis in reducing their dependence on anti-inflammatory drugs used to manage their symptoms.
By prioritizing fruits and vegetables, the Mediterranean diet promotes the consumption of numerous foods abundant in natural antioxidants and other beneficial vitamins.