Understanding Autoimmune Conditions

Living with an autoimmune condition can be challenging, but it doesn't have to control your life. Understanding what is going on with your body and being able to identify changes to your norm can help you get closer to the answers you need.

What is an autoimmune disease?

Autoimmune diseases are a broad range of conditions in which the immune system produces an inappropriate response against its own cells, tissues and/or organs, resulting in inflammation and damage.

This irrational misfiring of the immune system means that antibodies are produced and actively attack and damage cells and/or organs. At current count there are over 80 different distinct autoimmune diseases.

Some autoimmune diseases affect mainly one part of the body, such as multiple sclerosis, autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes. Others can affect many parts of the body, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic vasculitis.

We view autoimmunity as a spectrum; a process of irrational inflammation affecting various areas of the body, to varying degrees.

As every person is unique, with a different autoimmune disease at a different stage, the autoimmune protocol is a helpful strategy for identifying the role food plays in your particular health paradigm. At the end of 4 -5 weeks we will reassess and develop an ongoing strategy from a food perspective.

Examples of Autoimmune Diseases:

• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, affecting metabolism.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): The immune system targets the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.

• Crohn’s Disease: A chronic condition where the immune system attacks the digestive tract, leading to inflammation.

• Alopecia: Hair loss.

• Psoriasis: Affects the skin.

• Graves Disease: Affects the thyroid gland.

• Endometriosis: Causes tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus to grow in other places where it doesn’t belong.

• Vitiligo: Causes your skin to lose colour or pigmentation.

• Srjrogens: Chronic dryness throughout the body.

• Diabetes Type 1: Affects the pancreas.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Includes ulcerative colitis.

• Lupus (SLE): A disease that can affect multiple organs, including the skin, kidneys, and heart.

• Vasculitis: Involves inflammation of blood vessels, which can affect blood flow and lead to organ damage.

• Multiple Sclerosis: Affects the nervous system.

• Addison’s Disease: Underperforming adrenal glands.