Autoimmune Epidemic

From my official diagnosis in 2014 to today, my awareness and understanding of Autoimmune Disease has  grown exponentially. However, I find myself having conversations with clients, family and loved ones, where the term “Autoimmune Disease” is still very much a mystery word that the majority knows so little about. The reality is, that Autoimmune disease is an area that has been slow to be studied and therefore it will take years before we have more answers. Good news is, there’s plenty more information today than there was 5 years ago. Autoimmune Disease is an epidemic that is truly sweeping the nation and this drives me to raise more awareness for AID. 

What is AutoImmune Disease?

• In Short: The immune system has been compromised leading to the body attacking itself. And depending on which autoimmune has developed, will determine more specifically, which organs or which part of the body is attacked.

• AutoImmune Disease is caused by the immune system being confused and receiving the wrong signal to attack.

• Our immune system, which is suppose to protect us from invading microorganisms, instead gets confused and targets the normal proteins within our very own bodies.

• Antibodies are an essential part of the immune system, as they recognize specific protein in foreign cells, such as pathogens. By binding to them, they signal to the immune cells that it is time to attack.

• With Autoimmune disease, the body accidentally creates antibodies that identify not only the foreign proteins, but the body’s own proteins as well, called autoantibodies

• Normally, when our body experiences a virus, bacteria or parasite, it will fight off the virus/intruder. However when Autoimmune Disease is present, the system attacks itself.

• The signs and symptoms of autoimmune disease are present when the immune system’s attack of tissues impacts the body’s regular function. They can impact any organ or system of the body.

Autoimmune Targets

Some FACTS about AutoImmune Disease?

• AID affects more than 50 million people in the US alone

  • population affected by cancer = 12 million

  • population affected by heart disease = 25 million

• 75% of Autoimmune patients are female

• Currently 140 confirmed autoimmune diseases (likely many more are suspected to fall within the AI group)

• Having one autoimmune disease increases the chance of developing more autoimmune diseases

• Up to 45% of those with AID are labeled as hypochondriacs

• Diagnosing AID is incredibly challenging because

  • There currently is no medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune disease

  • Early symptoms often present as vague signs that could easily be dismissed

  • 4 – 6 years OR 5 doctors = the average amount of time/docs it takes to receive a proper autoimmune diagnosis

• Conventional medicine offers no cure for autoimmune disease; as treatment is based primarily on symptom management

• $100 billion dollars = Estimated annual cost of treatment for Autoimmune disease

• Current evidence and medical trials is rising for the inclusion of natural approaches to managing AID, such as dietary and lifestyle modifications

What contributes to developing AutoImmune Disease?

• Genetics

• Diet, Lifestyle, Stress, Poor sleep quality, Poor gut health

• Environmental Triggers

Ways to address/manage Autoimmune Disease

• Research/Find a Functional/Integrative Health Practitioner that will investigate the root cause of your symptoms versus immediately resort to prescription drugs to suppress the symptom (CLICK HERE for Practitioners worth knowing)

• Begin Restoring your Gut health by building up the balance of your good & bad gut bacteria through nutrition

  • INCLUDE: fermented foods, probiotics, nutrient dense foods, organic pasture raised animal protein, lots of green leafy vegetables, good fats, real/whole foods, low sugar content, resistant starches

  • EXCLUDE: Processed foods, sugar (refined/added), Nightshades, lectins, gluten & grains, conventional dairy

• Establishing the proper nutritional diet for your personal circumstance (this is a good place for food sensitivity tests and exploring an elimination diet)

• Reduce your exposure to toxins in your day to day routine

  • cosmetics

  • hygiene products

  • cleaning products

  • Read: Hidden Toxins + How to Avoid them

  • Read: Supporting your body’s natural detoxification processes

Early Signs of Autoimmune Disease

• Allergies

• Anxiety and depression

• Blood pressure changes (usually low)

• Digestive problems

• Extreme fatigue

• Gallbladder disease

• Low blood sugar

• Malaise

• Memory problems

• Migraines

• Muscle or joint pain

• Muscle weakness

• PMS

• Rashes and other skin problems

• Recurrent headaches

• Resistance to weight loss

• Sleep disturbances

• Susceptibility to infections

• Swollen glands

• Thyroid problems

• Unexplained weight changes

• Yeast infections