Diet is what makes our foundation as living beings, but unfortunately, not all of us were created equal, so diet can play a larger role in our day-to-day lives, function, health and overall wellbeing for those suffering with an autoimmune disorder.
There’s a diet out there for everything in today’s world - some of them for aesthetic purposes and some for serious illnesses or life-threatening allergies. With so many dietary recommendations and fads, it’s hard to stay on top of it all and figure out what’s most beneficial for each individual person. Those with autoimmune conditions need to be even more cognizant of what they consume to prevent contributing to any underlying inflammation or autoimmune symptoms.
For starters, lets create a very broad and basic definition of what an autoimmune disorder really is (I prefer the term disorder rather than disease because I believe almost anything can be cured or put into remission with the right help).
An autoimmune disorder is any condition where the body identifies it’s own healthy cells as “intruders” and considers itself a threat.
Examples of autoimmune conditions are multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and irritable bowel disease. There are countless types of autoimmune conditions and some are extremely rare due to the numerous ways the body is able to consider it’s own cells threatening. They can be localized or systemic conditions and could be genetic or due to an environmental or chemical exposure.
When it comes to an autoimmune disorder, diet can make or break a person. I didn’t truly believe this until one of my first clinic shifts in medical school. A dietary change as simple as eliminating white potatoes helped “cure” a woman of chronic pain from rheumatoid arthritis. I put cure in quotations because with autoimmune disorders, there is always the possibility of recurrence and reactivation. It is up to the patient (and their physician/health care provider) to identify their triggers, avoid further damage and strengthen their immune system.
Generally speaking, there are many researched foods and food groups that have been shown to trigger an immune response, even in healthy individuals. For those with a compromised immune system, like those with autoimmune conditions, consuming a food that triggers an immune response could very negatively affect their ability to function and thrive, especially if consumed long-term.
The goal of the different “autoimmune diets” is to decrease inflammation and boost the immune system.
One of my roles as a Naturopathic Physician (ND) will be to help patients in their journey by:
1 - identifying the root cause of the condition
2 – treat the person as a whole
This means that we need to find the underlying issue, treat it (usually by dietary changes) and help strengthen the immune system. This is usually done via elimination diets, to start, then supported by herbal medicines, hydrotherapy, tinctures, unda formulas, acupuncture, etc.
We want to get the patient’s body to heal and function on it’s own, which is often done by removing bothersome foods. While ND’s are not opposed to pharmaceuticals, we try to use them as a last resort. We want patient’s to be able to function on their own and not rely on medications and pharmaceuticals, which typically mask symptoms and don’t treat the underlying condition.
So what diet and types of food hurt or help autoimmune conditions?
You might have heard of some common diets that stand out – AIPS (autoimmune protocol), SCD (specific carbohydrate diet), paleo, dairy-free, etc. The truth is, there is no single diet that can help, but by using an elimination diet to avoid known inflammatory foods, you can greatly improve your quality of life and reduce inflammation in a fairly short time.
Common Inflammatory Foods:
· Eggs
· Dairy
· Wheat
· Grains - oats, rice, amaranth, etc.
· Legumes - peanuts, beans, lentils, etc.
· Soy
· Corn
· Sugar
· Additives, chemicals, processed/artificial ingredients
· Nightshade vegetables - tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, bell peppers
Anti-inflammatory Foods:
· Dark, leafy greens
· Blueberries & high anti-oxidant foods
· Nuts (although these can be troublesome for some people, especially with IBD, other GI issues or nut allergies)
· Omega 3 fatty acids & fatty fish
· Most fruit & veggies
· Herbs & teas – green tea, berberine, nettle, ginger, turmeric, etc.
Keep in mind that just because you’re eliminating some of the “bad” food and introducing more of the “safe” foods, doesn’t mean you’ll treat the underlying issue entirely. There are also many foods from the first list that people with autoimmune conditions have no issues with and some from the bottom list that can trigger an immune response as well. It’s important to be mindful of how certain foods, drinks, environments and lifestyle habits or changes make you feel. Autoimmune conditions are very individualized and need to be carefully monitored and treated.
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