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Posted by on Jan 5, 2018 in Autoimmune Awareness, Dairy, Gluten, Health Awareness | 0 comments

What Triggers Autoimmune Disease?

What Triggers Autoimmune Disease?

 

Immune dysfunction is poorly understood because the immune system is complicated and our bodies are unique. Western medicine doesn’t understand the cause of autoimmune disease, and has resorted to treating the symptoms with drugs designed to activate anti-inflammatory genes in the body or conversely suppress inflammatory genes in immune cells to shut down the inflammatory response.

Doctors do this with immune suppressive drugs or sometimes steroids. This approach does not address the causes of autoimmune disease nor does it stop the underlying disease processes. It just treats the symptoms of the disease.  Removing the cause rather than treating the symptom is the only way to allow for damaged tissues to heal.

Causes of Autoimmune Disease 

There are multiple theories.  The two most commonly subscribed to are:

  1. Chronic inflammation
  2. Altered expression of a person’s genetic code.

Since we really don’t know how to alter the expression of the genetic code our focus needs to be on the triggers of chronic inflammation.

Autoimmune Triggers

  1. Chronic infections (bacterial, viral, fungal)
  2. Toxins such as herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, organic solvents, and petrochemicals
  3. Immune reactive foods contributing to food allergies and sensitivities such as grains, gluten, dairy, soy, or eggs.
  4. Chronic stress

Good Nutrition

A healthy immune system must incorporate nutrient-dense foods. The days of eating foods with barcodes and fast food is over.  It is impossible to get the quality nutrients you need from processed foods. Processed foods have herbicides, pesticides, and have been stripped of nutrients. We need to eat real food, not stuff in a package. Real food with minimal processing that is rich in phytochemicals, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, natural anti-inflammatories, healthy fat, and quality proteins.

Good Rest, Sleep and Exercise Reduces Stress

Adequate rest and sleep are critical. During restful sleep, the body repairs itself which is vital for a healthy immune system.  Regular exercise is important as well to help reduce the effects of stress.

GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) Foods

Many plants have had their genetic codes altered through GMO procedures that industry has used to increase crop yield and protect the plant from herbicides and pesticides that are applied to the fields.  Despite claims of safety by the agri-businesses selling GMO seeds, adequate research to support these safety claims has not been done.  Many healthcare professionals have concerns that these GMO foods are actually challenging our immune system.

Food Additives

Food additives, including preservatives and other chemicals used to enhance taste and color along with large amounts of added sugars are causing significant chronic digestive inflammation. All contribute to immune system challenges that can lead to autoimmune disease.

Individualized Strategy

Each person is unique in their response to these immune challenges and therefore there is no single strategy that can work for everyone.  Read about the The Nourishing Place’s approach in helping identify an individualized program for each person. Join the Revolution…With an Individualized Solution.

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