What is Autoimmune Disease?
Autoimmune diseases are like a puzzle to the conventional medicinal system. The conventional practitioners are not an expert at identifying the underlying cause of any disease. Their treatment is based on one symptom one pill formula. Let’s try to understand the autoimmune disorder from a functional medicine perspective. Functional medicine looks into different reasons and conditions which ultimately lead to an overactive immune response in Autoimmune diseases.
What is Autoimmune disease?
Our body has an immune system, which fights against pathogens, microbes, bacteria or viruses entering our system through various routes. It is like our internal army, which attacks the invaders and protects us. The body produces antibodies to deal with the toxins, allergen or infections. The small intestine is permeable to specific nutrients and components. It prevents the other non-specific particles from entering into the bloodstream. Under certain circumstances and conditions, the GUT barrier becomes more permeable leading to a condition known as Leaky Gut Syndrome. Digestive Health is of prime importance when treating Autoimmune Diseases.
Leaky GUT leads to Autoimmune response
A leaky gut allows the entry of undigested food, allergens or pathogens into the system. When these unknown particles enter into the system our immune system becomes active. It starts producing killer cells and antibodies to neutralise them. If that is not taken care of or if there is a continuous influx of these unknown particles, the condition becomes chronic. The body keeps producing antibodies and until the threat is neutralised. The overactive immune system and excess antibodies haphazardly attack its own tissues or organs. This condition is known as an Autoimmune response. It can attack joints, glands and skin or any other organ or system. It is known as Autoimmune Diseases. List of the disease ranges from rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, uveitis, diabetes and other 100’s of them.[Study]
Underlying Reasons for Autoimmune Disease
- Stress (emotional and physical stress)
- Hidden Gut or Systemic Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic)
- Food Allergies/Sensitivities (Gluten, milk or other food sensitivities)
- Poor Lifestyle and Diet (disrupted sleep patterns and highly processed foods, sugar)
- Toxic exposure (mold, heavy metals, plastics, radiation)
- Genetic predisposition
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Leaky gut syndrome
Autoimmune disease treatment by Functional Medicine includes
- Finding the underlying cause of the autoimmune condition
- Removing any kind of chronic infectious agent
- Removing any kind of food allergens through elimination diet
- Repairing the intestinal barrier and supporting digestive functions
- Re-inoculating healthy microbes in the gastrointestinal tract
- Supporting the body’s immune system with nutritional supplements like vitamins and minerals essential for optimal functioning of the immune system
- Balancing Th1 and Th2 response in case one of them either underactive or overactive
- Lifestyle modifications
