How can we figure out which factors may be a trigger for autoimmunity in a certain individual? It varies depending on the situation, but is usually best to start with any triggers in the digestive system... fix the gut first. Testing for reactions to foods is fundamental - either through testing or with an elimination diet. It is known, for example, that people with autoimmune thyroid disease (which is most people with thyroid disease) have a high rate of milk protein sensitivity. A true allergy is a fast IGE reaction, but the delayed IGG reaction does stress the immune system and can act as a trigger. It is very common that these delayed food sensitivities trigger colitis, make "hay fever" worse, and cause more pain and inflammation in arthritis. Wheat, cow dairy and eggs are the most common allergens, but also could be yeast in foods, yeast in the gut, citrus, shellfish, soy, other beans, bananas, etc.

The next most common trigger is stress. This is a major suspect in lupus, colitis, thyroid disease, and many more. This is a whole subject in itself! We have a self test on the IHC site - DASS - it helps to sort out stress and depression and anxiety. We do training with the Heartmath monitor in the office, sometimes teach mindfulness or use Alpha-Stim. Spiritual support can be vital. Dr. Price is very successful treating stress and autoimmunity also with his Acu-Hyp therapy combining Acupuncuture and Hypnosis.

Other triggers are also important. Adjusting the diet not only to avoid allergens but also inflammatory foods. Yes, these are saturated fats, commercial meats (because of the grain diet the animals are fed) too much starch and sugar. Exposure to pesticides and other toxins (eat organic as much as possible). Many people have chronic infections such as the yeast that was mentioned or another bad bacteria in the gut, or Lyme disease, etc and need to treat this. Lower hormones with aging encourage more inflammation. Adding bioidentical hormones and helping some natural restoration with stress and adrenal treatment will often reduce some of the pain, stiffness, and flair ups. Lastly lack of some nutrients can increase inflammation. If the diet is pretty good, there may still be malabsorption. We often use the FIA test from Spectracell to look for this, or the Metabolic Analysis or Nutra-Eval from Genova. Other strategies include various means for detoxification (a subject for another day) use of supplements for immune balance and support and we at IHC often use the Pleo Sanum isopathic remedies for balance of the body's bacteria and yeast.

It is worth some work to reduce or stop autoimmune disease! These conditions not only cause a wide range of damage, pain, and disability but also tend to cause increased risk of heart disease and cancer!

It seems autoimmune problems are on the increase. They are caused by the "humoral immunity" part of the immune system attacking it's own body cells.  Autoimmune problems include the majority of thyroid disease, colitis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory arthritis such as rheumantoid or lupus, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and many other problems. Low or dysfunctional immunity also leads to chronic infections since we contact many pathogens in everyday life, but are usually able to eliminate them. This includes (in my opinion) Lyme disease, and certainly chronic yeast infection, parasites, and many antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  In addition, in recent years most chronic disease such as heart disease, has been found to stem from chronic inflammation. Most inflammation in the body is generated by the immune system.

Many new drugs have come out in the last few years to treat various autoimmune problems. They all suppress the immune system and differ from the old standby cortisone in that they are more specific in the way they suppress it. This is why they all have cancer as a possible side effect - since cancer cells occur in all of us and we depend on our immune system to find and kill abnormal cells.

Is there a natural way to help your immune system regain balance and effectiveness? Yes! The functional medicine approach can often improve these conditions, sometimes dramatically.  Next time I will cover the basics of normal immune function so that you can evaluate how your system is working for yourself.  In the following post, I will explain how the functional medicine approach works.  In my fourth post, which will probably be the last in this immune system series, I will talk about a few cases where I have applied that approach and talk about the results my patients and I have achieved.  Until next time!