Autoimmunity occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. Like many other complex disorders, autoimmune diseases are believed to occur due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
The cause of most autoimmune disorders is unknown, but considerable research has been conducted into the triggers of autoimmunity.
How and why does Autoimmune Disease occur?
Although it’s unknown exactly what causes autoimmune disease, we have learned a great deal about how diseases progress over time. The activation of an overactive immune system in autoimmunity occurs earlier than the onset of any symptoms. Factors occur that disturb the balance of the immune system after which the immune system no longer acts in a healthy way. Over time, the imbalanced immune system starts to over-react to things that are not actually harmful, which interferes with the healthy functioning of the immune system. Eventually symptoms will arise that if not supported will become an autoimmune disease.
There are several factors that contribute to developing autoimmunity. Experts agree that three things are required to activate an autoimmune response.
- Having a genetic predisposition
- Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
- Environmental triggers, for example, bacteria, virus, gluten, dairy.
Genetic Predisposition
Autoimmune disease tends to occur in families, known as familial aggregation. A genetic predisposition or susceptibility is an increased likelihood of developing an autoimmune disease, based on a persons genetic makeup. However, genetically susceptible individuals do not always develop an autoimmune disease.
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Intestinal Permeability
Research has revealed that intestinal permeability, otherwise known as ‘leaky gut’ can result in the development of an autoimmune disease (Paray, Albeshr, Jan et al. 2020). Leaky gut occurs when holes develop in the gut lining, allowing toxins, bacteria and partially digested food to ‘leak’ through the intestinal wall. The immune system response to this can result in the onset of autoimmunity.
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Environmental Triggers
There are many environmental factors that have been proposed may activate autoimmune disease. Including bacteria, viruses, climate, stress, occupation and cigarette smoking (Jorg, Grohme, Erzler et al. 2016). The western diet; typically high in saturated fat, low in fibre and nutrient poor is associated with autoimmunity and a significant link between gluten and dairy and autoimmunity has been identified.
Ellingham Nutritions approach to Autoimmune Disease:-
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If you have been diagnosed with an Autoimmune Disease, treatment prescribed by your GP will likely be focused on the area of your symptoms. For example, if you have an underactive thyroid condition, conventional medicine will be prescribed to replace the thyroid hormones that the damaged thyroid can no longer produce. However, it is not a problem with your thyroid gland, it is an imbalanced immune system. Unless the immune system is rebalanced and root causes found; of which there can be several, the attack on the thyroid gland will continue. It is similar for other autoimmune diseases.
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Together we can work on the following areas to balance and improve the health of your immune system.
- Gut health and leaky gut.
- Infections, including viral and bacterial
- Anti-inflammatory foods, such as gluten and dairy.
- Toxins, for example, heavy metals, mercury, lead, aluminium, arsenic.
- Stress management
- Restorative Sleep
Every client is an individual and at Ellingham Nutrition we will approach each case differently depending on the history and presenting issues.
Finally, it may be daunting and overwhelming to be faced with a diagnosis of autoimmune disease and it can be difficult to know where to start. Â However, there is so much that can be done in terms of nutrition, stress management, sleep and exercise that can support your journey back to optimal health.
If you would like to know more or are ready to start improving your health, please get in touch with Ellingham Nutrition.
