What is an Autoimmune Disease?

An autoimmune disease develops when the immune system mistakenly sees healthy cells, tissues or organs as a dangerous threat and launches an inflammatory response.

Autoimmunity can affect many types of bodily tissue and can impair normal functioning of the body’s systems. Examples of autoimmune diseases include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Causes of Autoimmune disease

A primary cause of autoimmunity is leaky gut. When the gut wall is too porous, fragments of food, wastes, viruses and bacteria can get into the bloodstream and trigger the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency is also linked to autoimmunity, as vitamin D helps control the immune system’s inflammatory responses.

Lacking in any of the body’s natural barriers (saliva, stomach acid, bile, mucus and the gut microbiome) can pave the way for foreign microbes to get into the bloodstream. Vaccines also introduce various types of foreign matter into the body that may prompt a hypersensitive immune response.

Symptoms of Autoimmune disease

Since autoimmunity can strike any area of the body, symptoms vary; however, common symptoms include joint and muscle pain, weight loss or gain, insomnia, brain fog, fatigue, cold or heat intolerance, rashes, blood or mucus in the stool, and numbness or tingling in the feet.

Long-term effects of Autoimmune disease

One of the most common long-term effects of autoimmune disease is the development of other autoimmune conditions. Once the immune system loses the ability to distinguish between self and non-self, other areas and systems of the body may eventually be affected.

Surgery may be needed to remove damaged organs and tissues. Autoimmune conditions are commonly treated with immune suppressing drugs which increase the risk of infections and cancer. If the bodily systems are affected severely enough, death may result.

Natural remedies for Autoimmune disease

Food combining has been shown to help promote more efficient digestion, which in turn can help ease inflammation in the digestive system. Food combining centers on pairing foods together that require similar digestive enzymes to ease the overall burden on the GI tract.

Super Shield Plus Multi-Strain Probiotic Formula can help support a healthy intestinal flora balance and a strong gut wall.

Optimum DK Formula with FruiteX-B. Vitamin D helps curbs excessive, inflammatory responses that characterize autoimmune diseases.

VitalMega-3 Fish Oil Formula can help ease inflammation in the body.

Other helpful measures include avoiding NSAIDs, steroids, birth control pills, acid reducers and antibiotics (which all upset the gut microbiome), having a diet of whole foods and avoiding refined carbohydrates. Also, carefully weigh the risks versus benefits of vaccines.