Is It Autoimmune Or Is It Allergy
The prevalence of both autoimmune diseases and allergies are increasing worldwide. Did you know that about 50 million adults are diagnosed and suffering from autoimmune diseases today? So what’s reducing our immune function? Is it the food we eat? Is it the amount of stress we are under? The answer is yes to both of these questions!! Therefore, this suggests that our immune systems are not as healthy as they once were. But why? What factors play a role in reducing our immune function?
Here are a few factors that inhibit our immune system to work at its best. Alcohol consumption, antibiotic use, birth history, pain medications, and stress levels. It is finally being recognized that many conditions, especially allergies and autoimmune diseases, may begin with the bacteria colonized in our gut, which is affected by the environment and a person’s lifestyle. The Western diet has been a main contributor to the rising prevalence of these conditions because it disrupts the balance of healthy gut bacteria. Although gut health can play a major role in both autoimmune diseases and allergies, they are two different types of reactions. People who suffer from autoimmune diseases, their body recognizes itself as an invader and attacks healthy tissue. The specific causes of autoimmune diseases is often unclear. In some cases, genetics play an important role but environmental exposures, like diet and lifestyle, play a crucial role as well. Symptoms of autoimmune response vary based on the condition but can include symptoms such as pain, aching, fatigue, and disrupted musculoskeletal health. There are over 200 autoimmune diseases but a few examples are Celiac disease, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 Diabetes, and Crohn’s disease. Later, I will show you the important role that food plays on these conditions. People who suffer from allergies, the body has an abnormally elevated immune response towards a particular substance that is considered harmless to most people. For some reason, others respond differently. Some allergies people have may be toward food, plants, pets, insects, and dust. Some reactions are more severe than others but here are some symptoms to look out for: skin rashes, headaches, sinus pressure, gastrointestinal distress, and anaphylaxis. Food allergies are definitely on the rise. I bet you either know someone who has an allergy or have one yourself! The top food allergens are milk, eggs, soy, gluten/wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.
Allergies and autoimmune diseases may manifest differently but they are basically an inappropriate reaction from the immune system and leads to inflammation. Inflammation refers to the body reacting to something it recognizes as foreign or from an injury it's sustained. Classic signs of inflammation include redness, swelling, heat, and pain. Inflammation is often a crucial part of the healing process, but if inflammation becomes chronic, it makes us more susceptible to illness or disease. Many major diseases that harm us, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and Alzheimer’s, have been linked to chronic inflammation. One of the most powerful tools to fight inflammation comes from the grocery store, not the pharmacy. 70% of the immune system is located in your gut, referred to as gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), which is why the bacteria present in your gut are so important to our health. 2,000 different strains of bacteria live inside our gut or on us. These bacteria serve as several functions, including breaking down food, metabolizing medications, detoxifying, helping the immune system mature, and regulating the immune system over time. Remember, not all bacteria in the gut are beneficial. If there is an overpopulation of unwanted strains of bacteria, it can play a toll on our immunity. This is called dysbiosis, when bad bacteria outnumber the good. This can lead to leaky gut or increased intestinal permeability, which means the intestinal lining has become compromised and no longer functions efficiently as a barrier. The results of this causes the immune system to constantly be on high alert and leads to inflammation. So what’s the remedy for leaky gut or for reducing inflammation in your body? First, remove inflammatory foods!! There is an entire diet devoted to fighting inflammation called the anti-inflammatory diet. You may also benefit from the Mediterranean Diet.
Try to avoid or limit these foods as much as possible:
ultra-processed foods, which refer to foods with additives, colorings, natural flavorings, sweeteners and emulsifiers (packaged cereals, cakes, dairy products, hydrogenated oils, and packaged chips or snacks)
sugar
added sugar hidden in your diet in the form of refined carbohydrates, such as high-fructose corn syrup, white bread and pastries
french fries and other fried foods
soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages
red meat (burgers, steaks) and processed meat (hot dogs, sausage)
fats (particularly saturated fats and trans fats found in margarine, shortening, cheese, poultry with skin, cream and lard)
Try to replace these foods with anti-inflammatory foods as much as possible:
tomatoes
olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil
green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, chard, and collards
nuts & seeds like almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios and pinenuts
foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids: fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines
whole grains: whole wheat, brown rice, oats, rye and quinoa
whole vegetables like onion, turmeric, sweet potatoes, carrots, bell pepper and squash
fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, red grapes, plums, and oranges
Second, add probiotics to help populate the gut with good bacteria. This can help balance the good and bad bacteria. You can also add prebiotics to feed the good bacteria. Always consult with your doctor when adding any supplements to your diet. You can also consider supplements like aloe, licorice, glutamine and l-carnitine which support the integrity and healthy function of the gastrointestinal lining for healthy digestion, immunity and overall wellness.
Improving gut health helps support long-term health. Remember if you are experiencing symptoms of frequent gastrointestinal discomfort or reactions, your body is trying to send you a message. Are you listening? You may want to experiment with removing inflammatory food from your diet and working to support your gut health. Keep in mind that this won't happen overnight and may require the support of a health coach, nutritionist or a skilled healthcare practitioner. Do you ever wonder if you have an allergy, an intolerance or an autoimmune disease related to your gut? It’s important to figure it out. You don’t want your body in a chronic state of inflammation too long. Reduce your risk of disease!