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Have you been diagnosed with an autoimmune problem? Maybe you haven’t but know someone who has. It seems everywhere we look people of all ages are being diagnosed with various immunity issues. Some people even get told by their physicians that nothing can be done but to learn to live with it, or that it’s simple heredity. That means if your parents had it, there’s a good chance you will, too.
What if you discovered that you don’t need to suffer from autoimmune problems? In this article, we’ll get to the root cause of these prevalent issues and give you some actionable steps you can take to get better.
Autoimmune diseases are affecting more people than ever before. Don’t take our word for it, though. There are stats to back this up. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, at least 50 million people in the U.S. alone have an autoimmune disease. (1) So, the big question here is what is happening? What are we collectively doing wrong?
Autoimmune diseases are sometimes put into silos. That means there are different doctors for different problems. For example, you have Rheumatologists for people with arthritis, doctors who specialize in thyroid conditions, and more. When you consider all the different autoimmune issues combined, it’s easy to see something is drastically wrong.
you look at how people lived hundreds of years ago, you may think that we are so much better off. Is that always the case, though? Think about how farming methods have changed. People don’t spend as much time outdoors getting natural vitamin D these days. We are glued to devices late at night. The list goes on and on. Today, we have pesticides sprayed on our foods that can cause issues from allergies to possible death. These are poisons that most people aren’t talking about, but they can pose a real threat to your health. (2)
Unfortunately, many medical doctors treat the symptoms of autoimmune diseases rather than the root cause. That’s like taking pain medications for a broken arm and never treating the problem.
You may know that autoimmune problems happen when the body attacks itself. Essentially, your immune system reacts like it is fighting an infection but instead attacks its tissues. (3) With so many people having autoimmune diseases, it seems the problem is completely misunderstood by most doctors.
The question we should be asking about autoimmune disease is not getting asked. We should be questioning what is causing the problem. Until we get to the root cause of these issues, everything else only covers up the symptoms.
Functional medicine takes a different approach than traditional healthcare. You may know what your disease is called, but that does not mean you know why it happens. Functional medicine maps out the problems to find the reason for the autoimmune disease.
Cellular inflammation is the key to unlocking autoimmune issues. (4) So, what causes cellular inflammation? Typically, we find that allergens, toxins, microbiome imbalances, poor diet, and stress are the primary offenders. Think of all the chemicals you use every day, from beauty products to cleaning supplies. Are you eating an inflammatory diet, filled with processed foods? Do you need to restore balance in your gut? These are the questions that a functional practitioner will ask.
The first step is to remove the bad ingredients. What does that mean? You want to take out the sugar, processed foods, and unhealthy chemicals. Then, you can add whole foods, like veggies, some fruits, meats, poultry, and seafood. You need these nutrients for good health.
Get your gut healthy, because seventy percent of your immune system is in your gut. (5) Specific supplements can help with healing your gut, like good probiotics. Gluten can also disrupt your gut microbiome, so it’s advisable to remove all gluten products from your diet. Many people find success with an elimination diet where you remove nuts, seeds, beans, sugar, dairy, and grains. This can be extremely effective for healing.
Since we know how damaging toxin exposure can be, we suggest a 90-day cellular detox to cleanse the body while you change your diet. That will help the body remove damaged mitochondria, which can cause cellular damage and chronic diseases.
Another thing you want to do is to calm down the inflammation. Now, we don’t recommend taking loads of NSAIDs, as these can be dangerous and unhealthy. (6) Instead, we recommend a natural product to decrease inflammation without the dangerous side effects. One of the best supplements we have found is HerbalFlam because it contains herbs that support overall health and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Other options to calm your immune system down include vitamin D, fish oil, and vitamin C. These are all inexpensive and can be incredibly effective for your immune health.
Exercise is also great for immune issues. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get started. Begin with a 30-minute walk each day. Don’t overlook your sleep. Getting good, quality sleep is essential for reducing inflammation. (7)
There are also ways to reduce stress, which can be beneficial since stress can wreak havoc on the immune system. Some simple options to try include meditation, journaling, and breathing exercises.
Conventional medicine would have you believe there is no hope for your autoimmune disease except to live with it and take dangerous prescription medications. Functional medicine doctors work to find real solutions that work to fix the problems and not cover them up.
You don’t have to live with autoimmune issues for the rest of your life. There are answers, and you can feel better. Contact us today with any questions you have about autoimmune diseases and learn how functional medicine can help you become a true wellness warrior!
References
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/autoimmune
https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/ai-treatment-modalities-improve-quality-life-autoimmune-patients/
