What is Autoimmune Disease?

Autoimmune disease is a malfunction of the immune system.

The fundamental role of the immune system is to protect the body from invading pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. In Autoimmune Disease (AID), the immune system mistakenly recognizes the body’s own tissues as a threat and produces autoantibodies. This results in inflammation and damage to cells, tissues and organs which can impair normal functioning.

Autoimmune Conditions

Autoimmune disease affects around 5% of Australians and there are around 80 different known autoimmune conditions, with many more diseases that are suspected to be autoimmune in origin. Many are difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat. Most autoimmune diseases are chronic and lifelong, and their incidence is increasing year on year in most countries around the world.

Some of the more common autoimmune diseases include: Coeliac Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Hashimoto Thyroiditis, Type 1 Diabetes, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (including Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease) and Psoriasis. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are conditions that are suspected to have autoimmune origins.

Why does the Immune System malfunction?

Though the exact causes of autoimmune disease remain unknown, there are certain risk factors that increase the chances of developing an autoimmune condition.

Genetics accounts for approximately one third of this risk, while the remaining risk is thought to come from environmental triggers such as exposure to pollution, toxins, viruses, intestinal dysbiosis (causing leaky gut) and diet and lifestyle factors.

So what does this mean for you?

This means that autoimmune disease is directly linked to your food choices and how you choose to live your life. What this suggests is that you can manage your autoimmune disease by changing your diet and making more informed choices about sleep, activity, and stress.

The Autoimmune Protocol

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is a comprehensive program which focuses on diet and lifestyle factors known to be important modulators of immune function. Healing is supported by the removal of inflammatory stimuli to reduce the chronic inflammation that causes tissue damage.

That may seem like a lot to ‘digest’, so a certified AIP practitioner can help you put this into practice.

The Autoimmune Protocol provides guidelines for both diet and lifestyle changes to successfully manage the symptoms of autoimmune disease.

About the AIP Diet

The AIP diet consists of an elimination strategy, cutting out the foods that are most likely to be holding back our health. After a period of time, many of the excluded foods, especially those that have nutritional merit, can be reintroduced.

The AIP diet provides balanced and complete nutrition by prescribing nutrient dense foods while avoiding processed & refined foods.

The AIP Lifestyle

Lifestyle factors including high stress, poor sleep and minimal activity can contribute to inflammation and increase the risk of immune dysfunction leading to the onset or flare up of autoimmune disease.

The AIP provides strategies for improved sleep, stress management and regular physical activity as these are important immune modulators and are key to successfully managing AID.

Is this lifestyle difficult to maintain?

Autoimmune diseases are difficult to manage and at times can feel out of control.

By adopting diet and lifestyle strategies, such as the Autoimmune Protocol, the frequency and severity of symptoms may be reduced and quality of life improved.

If you are someone who has been recently diagnosed with an AID, or maybe you have been struggling to manage your AID for some time, the Autoimmune Protocol is for you. Book in for a Complimentary Discovery Session with Vicky to find out more. https://thenutritionfactor.com.au/book-appointment/