Last Updated on December 6, 2023 by Cathy
What causes an autoimmune disease? That’s a tricky question with no real answers. Fortunately, we live in a world where it’s easy to look up answers with many options. You don’t have to wait around for the “next” study. You can start doing something today that makes a difference.
You’re sick and tired of the current medications with their horrible side effects. That’s probably what brought you to this website to find an alternative. I was once in your shoes feeling hopeless and scared, then I discovered I could use food as my medicine and you can too.
That was many years ago. I truly believe it was the medications that were making me worse, so I stopped them one year after I changed my diet. And, I’m glad I did, I haven’t had an MS attack since! However, I want more than just stopping the progression. I wanted to reverse ALL of the damage MS left me.
I’m sure you’ve heard – “What works for me, may not work for you.” But, you can start with the basics and tweak the diet to fit your needs. Since autoimmune diseases aren’t fully understood. You will need to become a detective and listen to your body.
Possible Triggers
Bacteria, poor diet, stress, and viruses are a few triggers leading to autoimmune diseases. A 20-year study released in 2022, found Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the main cause of MS.
- Poor Diet
- Infections (bacteria, parasites, viruses, and yeast overgrowth)
- Environmental toxins (heavy metals, mold, pesticides, etc.)
- Chronic stress
- Hormones (adrenaline, cortisol, etc.)
But, it all goes back to that same old question. Why me?
Who gets autoimmune diseases?
Some autoimmune diseases attack one organ like type 1 diabetes attacking the pancreas. Others like lupus or fibromyalgia attack the entire body. Some autoimmune diseases are more common in certain areas. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is more common the further away a person lives from the equator.
Autoimmune diseases have risen dramatically in the past couple of decades. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) estimates there are 50 million Americans with an autoimmune disease. That’s 20% of the population or one in five people with an autoimmune disease.
Even more children at younger ages are getting diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. About 8,000 to 10,000 children (under 18) have MS. There are 15,000 children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes each year. That’s about 200,000 kids suffering from diabetes.
What’s going on?
Researchers suspect environmental factors like diet or infections are the cause. The standard American diet is one of those factors. It’s full of processed foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats it’s no wonder so many people are sick. The human body wasn’t made to eat artificial foods. Including preservatives, pesticides, or other unnatural ingredients.
Some diseases like MS and lupus have genetic links. This doesn’t mean the person will get an autoimmune disease, it just puts them at a higher risk. And women are at a higher risk than men.
Genetics load the gun, environment pulls the trigger.
Having one autoimmune disease puts a person at a higher risk of having another one. Having three or more autoimmune diseases it’s called multiple autoimmune syndromes (MAS). Yes, there’s a name for that.
There are three categories of MAS.
- Contains a pathogenic mechanism like Graves’ disease and thymoma.
- Includes rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome.
- Includes Addison’s disease, type 1 diabetes, and systemic lupus.
10 Common Autoimmune Diseases:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriasis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Lupus
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Addison’s disease
- Graves’ disease
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Autoimmune diseases can run in families if you have a parent or sibling it puts you at a higher risk. I always wondered why I was the only one in my family with MS. But as I started looking into family health problems I wasn’t alone when it came to autoimmune diseases. Unfortunately, it passed down to our son with type 1 diabetes. He was 16 years old at the time and no one else in our family had it.
Early symptoms can range from:
- Acne
- Allergies
- Bloating
- Brain fog
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Digestive issues
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Food sensitivities
- Gas
- Hair loss (thyroid)
- Muscle pain
- Numbness
- Stiffness
- Weakness
Gut Bacteria
Researchers are getting closer than ever to what’s causing autoimmune diseases. They have discovered the gut microbiome influences our immune system. The bacteria live in our gut, mouth, nose, skin, and genitals. The majority of our immune system is in our gut so it’s important to take care of it.
Think of your gut biome as your flowerbed, if you take care of it it will thrive. If you don’t take care of it the weeds multiply until it’s overwhelming and kills out the flowers. This same thing happens in your gut with the good bacteria.
A poor diet, antibiotics, steroids, and birth control pills can throw off the balance. When good bacteria get killed off it keeps the immune system running flawlessly. Bad bacteria or yeast (Candida) takes over growing out of control.
This eventually leads to a leaky gut. Allowing food particles and toxins to pass through the guts protective lining. The immune system becomes confused and begins attacking healthy tissues. Leading to autoimmune diseases.
What You Can Do Today
Knowledge is your best answer, learn everything you can to stop the progression. It’s time to take action!
- Eat a healthy nutrient-dense diet and avoid toxins
- Get plenty of exercise like walking, yoga, tai chi, stretching
- Manage stress by listening to music, laughing, walking, meditation, soaking in a tub
- Replenish your good bacteria
- Get plenty of sunshine or take a vitamin D
