Something is happening. There’s been a real shift in the world of health and it seems that, suddenly, autoimmune diseases are everywhere. Of course, we’re also more aware and educated about them; better able to diagnose them, thanks to a deeper understanding. But these diseases certainly are on the rise and are bound to affect us or those we care about.
We personally have so many close family and friends that are suffering from major autoimmune diseases and it hurts to live through their daily pain and discomfort as they struggle to ease their symptoms. Why are autoimmune diseases increasingly common these days and what can we do about them?
What is an Autoimmune Disease?
The immune system’s job is to detect and attack harmful pathogens (like viruses, parasites, and bacteria).
Although the specific diseases under the autoimmune umbrella differ, they’re all a result of one thing – the immune system mistakenly turns on your own body, attacking your healthy tissues, instead of focusing on harmful invaders.
Common autoimmune diseases (and the tissues that they attack) include:
- Hashimoto’s disease (thyroid)
- Ulcerative colitis (colon)
- Crohn’s (entire digestive tract – from anus to mouth)
- Lupus (widespread)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (joints)
- Axial spondylarthritis (spine and pelvic joints)
- Psoriatic arthritis (skin and joints)
- Systemic vasculitis (veins and arteries)
- Type 1 diabetes (beta cells, which produce insulin)
- Multiple sclerosis (myelin sheath around the nerves)
- Coeliac disease (intestinal lining)
However, there are over 10 different autoimmune diseases; so these are just the tip of a very big, painful iceberg.
What Causes Autoimmune Diseases?
While every person and situation is different, there seem to be five main causes of autoimmune diseases:
- Anxiety, stress or trauma – this is a major contributing factor. In fact, just about every person with an autoimmune condition can pinpoint a major trauma just before its onset.
- Genetics
- Diet – foods that cause inflammation (particularly sugar, refined carbs, and unhealthy vegetable oils).
- Lack of good sleep
- Environmental factors – such as a bad infection, chemical exposure, or viral attacks.
Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases
While everyone is different and these diseases present differently from one person to another, there are some common symptoms. These include:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Anxiety / depression
- Compromised mobility
- Visible damage to joint or skin (for certain diseases)
- Fever
- Weight changes
- Rashes
- Inflammation
Easing the Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treating these diseases; and the best options are usually multifaceted and based on time and experimentation. It’s about finding what works best for you. However, the focus should be on 1) REDUCING INFLAMMATION and 2) MANAGING YOUR STRESS.
Remember that, no matter what organ or system in your body is affected by your disease, it isn’t the organ that is faulty. It is your immune system. So, while some doctors may treat the symptoms (e.g., the pain in the colon or the hormone output of the thyroid), it’s really your immune system that is misdirecting its attacks.
Diet
Your immune system depends heavily on your diet, so this is not the place to take liberties. It’s essential to cut sugar, refined grains and, for the most part, alcohol; as these are major culprits of inflammation.
Make very nutritious choices. Include lots of grain-fed and grain-finished beef, omega-3 oils, fresh vegetables, and some unprocessed grains in your regular daily diet. For those with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, diet becomes even more delicate and important. Many have found that a keto or even carnivore diet is most effective for these painful conditions.
Interestingly, Dr Berg recommends consuming more of the organ being attacked in your diet. So, if you have ulcerative colitis, try to include colon in your diet (either as a desiccated supplement or as sausage casing). If yours is rheumatoid arthritis, be sure to eat the gristle of the meat you consume. This gives the immune system something to focus on, allowing your own organs to heal.
Lifestyle
In order to take the best care of your body and keep it from succumbing to stress and inflammation, there are a few ways you can reduce the painful symptoms of an autoimmune flare. What works for you depends on you, but both regular exercise and meaningful rest are essential.
Opt for walking, Pilates, yoga and regular stretches if your body isn’t able to handle higher-intensity activities.
Then, ensure that you include massage, acupuncture, or a hot bath with salts and a soothing essential oil in your weekly routine. These measures lower your stress levels and ease sore bodies.
Medicine and Supplements
Often, doctors prescribe immuno-suppressants, anti-inflammatories, and cortisone for these diseases. This has often become necessary for patients with intense symptoms or progressive disease. However, they all have serious side effects that need to be understood in full before proceeding with treatment. If possible, try to resort to these measures only after exhausting other options.
Nordens Ultimate has a number of top-notch products that reduce the painful symptoms of autoimmune diseases and help to keep inflammation and stress at bay. These include:
- Vitamin D3 – this vitamin is incredibly potent and is a major part of supporting even a compromised immune system and creating a healthier environment.
- Organi-Mune Diabetes
- Quadri Mune Immune Booster
- Joint Guard – this not only eases painful joints and muscles, but also reduces acidity and inflammation in the body.
- Organamin – we love this supplement! It contains zinc, magnesium and calcium; amongst other things. It alkalinises the body, reduces joint pain and inflammation, and helps to heal stomach ulcers.
To order your supplements today and start your journey of healing or, at least, easing the symptoms of your autoimmune disease, please email info@nordens.co.za or send Tracy a WhatsApp on 072 621 7725.
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