Autoimmune disease

Why is autoimmune disease so common?

Question:

I have Hashimoto’s and celiac disease, two autoimmune diseases. I have friends with eczema, arthritis, Type II diabetes, and MS. Why is autoimmune disease so common now?

Answer:

Incidences of autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue, have skyrocketed in this country and continue to climb.

Hygiene hypothesis incomplete

The media darling for an explanation is the hygiene hypothesis – that being too clean in early childhood improperly strengthens the immune system.

While likely valid, it dismisses more significant factors linked with triggering autoimmune disease:

Environmental pollutants:

We live in a world of more than 80,000 chemicals. The few studied play a role in triggering autoimmune reactions. Research show people who work with toxins are significantly more likely to die from autoimmune disease. It also shows that infant fetal-cord blood contains 287 pollutants.

Genetically modified foods:

Although the effect of genetically modified foods on humans has not been studied, multiple animal studies link them with immune dysregulation and inflammation, which trigger autoimmune disease. Diets that set the stage for autoimmune disease include artificial chemicals, excess sugar and starchy carbohydrates and trans fats. Gluten in particular has been linked to autoimmune disease.

Leaky gut:

In leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, the lining of the intestines becomes too porous, allowing undigested food and pathogens to slip into the bloodstream. This can trigger autoimmune disease.

Chronic stress:

Chronic stress from bad diet, poor health, lack of sleep and excess sugar and caffeine lead to inflammation and immune dysregulation, setting the stage for autoimmune disease.

What can you do?

The best medicine is prevention. To help your body cope with the burdens of modern life, eat an anti-inflammatory diet and work with a practitioner to address the health imbalances that make you more vulnerable to autoimmune disease.

Call the South Jersey Institute of Functional Nutrition (located at Olivieri Chiropractic) or sign up for our eNewsletter to find out what you can do to achieve optimal health.

Dr Robert Olivieri

Olivieri Chiropractic and the South Jersey Institute of Functional Nutrition