10 Steps To Reverse Autoimmune Diseases
Yesterday, we explained how the body attacks its own tissues under the influence of autoimmune disorders. Today’s article lays out steps to reverse the inflammation.
Except for treating infections with antibiotics, medicine today approaches most diseases by prescribing a pill to suppress, cover over, block, or otherwise interfere with the body’s biology. We generally do not attempt to seriously address the underlying problems that lead to the disease in the first place. We don’t ask that one simple question:
Why is the body out of balance, and how do we help it regain balance?
There is a movement that is now being advocated by thousands of practitioners at the cutting edge of medicine. It is an approach called Functional Medicine that has helped thousands of patients experience good health. It focuses on interactions between the environment and the gastrointestinal, endocrine, and immune system.
What is the approach?
Functional Medicine practitioners have amazing success with autoimmune diseases. The approach of finding and removing triggers of diseases such as hidden microbes, toxins, or allergens, and supporting the body’s function with nutrients and herbs and “pro” drugs such as probiotics is more than an idea that needs to be proven.
How do you reduce inflammation?
Start with the food you eat. A major source of inflammation is processed food, including sugar, flour and low-quality vegetable oils. Gluten, dairy, grains, and beans are often a trigger for autoimmunity. Clearing out all these foods for 10 days (and longer if it is helping) can help reset your system.
10 Steps to Reverse Autoimmune Diseases
Our bodies are not defective, says Functional Medicine advocate Dr Hyman. Paying attention to a few natural laws of biology can reverse the condition of disease. Here’s what he recommends for reversing chronic illnesses:
1. Cut out flour and sugar because these are inflammatory foods.
2. Get rid of gluten from your kitchen. We know gluten can be a trigger for autoimmune diseases and can contribute to a leaky gut.
3. Eat the right fats. Increase your intake of anti-inflammatory foods rich in Omega-3 fats, including cold water fish, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds and hemp seeds.
4. Eat the rainbow. Choose a variety of colourful non-starchy vegetables and berries every day. These foods are packed with phytonutrients.
5. Check for hidden food allergens with food sensitivity testing.
6. Keep your intake of nightshades (tomato, eggplant, peppers, etc.) low to moderate in order to lessen the potential for an autoimmune reaction.
7. Take supplements to help boost levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, probiotics, curcumin, and antioxidants – all of which are instrumental in calming down an overactive immune system.
8. Exercise is a natural anti-inflammatory. Move your body regularly and appropriately for your physiology.
9. Manage your stress. Practice deep relaxation through yoga, breath work, biofeedback, or massage because stress worsens the immune response.
10. Check for hidden infections like yeast, viruses, bacteria, and Lyme. These are often indicators of a hidden autoimmune disorder.
The human body has an amazing ability to heal itself, if you allow it to.
This article was issued in public interest as part of a series on natural healing.
