Autoimmune disease (noun) pathology: a disease resulting from a disordered immune reaction in which antibodies are produced against one’s own tissues, as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It was first recorded in 1960 – 65.
Normally, our immune system produces antibodies that protect us from harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses, toxins and cancer cells, and blood and tissue from outside the body. These substances are know as antigens. Antibodies destroy antigens, and we remain healthy.
When you have an autoimmune disorder, your immune system does not distinguish between healthy tissue and potentially harmful antigens. As a result, the body sets off a reaction that destroys normal tissue. This reaction may result in destruction of body tissue, abnormal growth of an organ, or changes in organ function.
An autoimmune disorder may affect one or more organs or tissue types, and may include blood vessels, connective tissue, endrocine glands such as the thyroid or pancreas, joints, muscles, red blood cells, and the skin (our largest organ).
Some of the common illnesses that have their root cause in the autoimmune system include Addison disease, Dermatomyositis, Fibromyalgia (FM), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD/IBS) including Crohn’s and Celiac disease, Diabetes, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s (PD), Pernicious anemia, and Psoriasis amongst others. More than 80 have been identified so far, and it is not uncommon to experience more than one simultaneously.
The health of our immune system is front and centre these days due to the pandemic. Recent research has determined that 70 – 80 percent of our immunity depends on our gut health.[i] The stronger our immune system is, the less chance we have of contracting the Covid 19 virus, or any other malady, including the autoimmune diseases listed above. If that ship has sailed, it is never too late to improve your condition, or at the least, slow its progression.
Where do we start to regain a healthy immune system? We need to maintain a healthy balance of the gut flora, and for it to thrive it needs fiber. Fiber has many positive actions in our body, and one of the key factors is to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in our bowel. It is relatively common medical knowledge that both health and disease start in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Think of fiber as the fuel behind our gut health, and remember that we are all unique, so not all fiber will react the same for everyone.
It is important to monitor your reaction to high fiber foods and through some trial and error, determine the best one for your metabolism. Keeping a food journal is very helpful. Scientists have determined that an adult requires 30 to 40 grams (about 2 oz.) of mixed dietary fiber per day to sustain healthy gut flora. I suspect that the 80,000 environmental chemicals we are exposed to daily would increase that requirement.
The three most common types of fiber are water-soluble, insoluble, and resistant starch. Each has its role and together, their support of a healthy gut is immeasurable.
Where can we find these?
Both water-soluble and insoluble fiber are present in all plant foods as well as whole grains, wheat, oat and corn bran, flax seed lignans, xanthan gum and vegetables such as carrots, celery, green-beans, and potato skins. Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material. It can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. It is found in oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, barley, and psyllium. Insoluble fiber are carbs that we can not dissolve such as whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts, beans, cauliflower, green beans, and potatoes. Common sources of resistant starch include legumes, whole grains, green bananas, yams, and potatoes, especially if baked and allowed to cool before eating them.
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) like Omega 3’s (EPA and DHA) work like rocket fuel for healthy gut flora as well. Eat deep and cold-water fish such as mackerel, salmon, and sardines as a good source. Cold pressed virgin Avocado and Olive oils are good sources of Omega 6s due to their stability when moderately heated. Since Omega 6s tend to be inflammatory and Omega 3s anti-inflammatory, a good balance of the two is important. Ask me for more information at your next appointment.
If you must eat animal products, choose grass fed and free-range sources as much as possible. Organic produce may be more expensive, but they are more economical than medications.
Due to potential heavy metal contamination in fish, a molecular distilled supplement for purity and potency like Shaklee’s OmegaGuard® is a wise choice for several reasons. Vitamin D3, a fat-soluble vitamin, has hormonal characteristics that also supports healthy gut flora.[ii] One of nature’s most nutritious green plants, organic Alfalfa in tablet form, has a list of proven health benefits 21 maladies long, the majority of which are connected to our digestive system.[iii] Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and miso are also complimentary.
Patience is more than a virtue when dealing with a dysfunctional immune system – it is a necessity. Your condition did not develop over night, nor will it heal over night. Several decades ago, while I was healing my irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), there were times when I felt my program was not working – and there were a couple of occasions I thought I was going to die from abdominal pain. Sometimes to accomplish our goal, we have to be prepared to experience some discomfort. Veganism and mono-meals were an important part of my healing. A vegan eating program does not include any animal products and a mono-meal is a single food meal that allows a lighter load on our digestive system. The latter makes it possible to monitor how our unique system is responding to what we have ingested. Although that may sound boring, it is one of the quickest routes back to a healthy gut. Perseverance, like the tortoise and the hare fable, won the race. Trust me, it was not a one hundred metre dash!
One of the best hugs I have received was from a 16-year-old young lady when we were able to pronounce her Celiac disease healed and she was prednisone free. I admired her tenacity of being able to stick to her program which was not an easy task for a teenager.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we are trained that the symptom is just a signal of the root problem. We focus on finding the underlying cause of the disharmony or imbalance. My clinical approach is to balance a patient’s metabolism with acupuncture and then develop a customized nutritional program that allows optimum return to better health. In general, we leave the treatment of symptoms to Western Medicine practitioners, as they attempt to counteract a medication caused symptom by adding another prescription medication.
A starting point is to book a regular balancing session. One on or near the winter solstice on December 21st, is especially effective at balancing our metabolism. As we move toward the darker nights of winter, we will get through the current pandemic better by optimizing our health, which automatically reduces our risk of contracting Covid-19, especially when we practice social distancing, wearing a mask and washing our hands thoroughly and often.
Good health,
Dr. Bill
[i] Autoimmune Secrets – Autoimmune Disease Revealed
[ii] Dr. Jay Davidson – Autoimmune Disease Revealed -disc 5 Q&A
[iii] Dr. Richard Brouse – Build a Better You- 8th Edition 2011p. 23-24
Photo by Nijwam Swargiary on Unsplash