Does having an autoimmune disease really mean your body is attacking itself?

Autoimmune diseases include Hashimoto’s, Graves’ Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Type 1 Diabetes, Lupus, Psoriasis, Multiple Sclerosis, and more. These diseases affect different organs in the body and the root of the problem is found in the immune system.

Our immune system is focused on keeping us safe by identifying and “attacking” foreign substances that enter our bodies. If our immune system senses something is unsafe, it will “attack” by releasing antibodies to fight off the dangerous invader. This heroic act is called an “autoimmune response.”

What could these invaders be? Well, it depends on the person but allergens, toxins, foods, or infections are all dangerous to our immune system. The problem occurs when your body is working hard to protect you and accidentally mistakes your own tissue for invaders. So now your own immune system is attacking your own body. Whoops.

According functional medicine doctors, there are 5 root causes of autoimmunity.

leaky gut
diet
toxins
infection
stress

The good news is that you can certainly improve your own symptoms (just like I have). After taking control of my gut, diet, stress and environmental toxin exposure, my symptoms are 100% better than they were a year ago.

You are in control. Don’t know where to start? Schedule a consultation with me here.