Understanding Autoimmunity
The immune system is a widely understood concept of how it is a system within us that helps to defend from harmful bacteria, but what people don’t always realize is that our gut houses about 70-80% of our immune system. The physical barrier of our gut is lined with immune cells to help process out the good versus the bad in what we’re feeding to our bodies. A beautiful symbiotic relationship, our immune system and gut work tirelessly for our benefit, but sometimes the wiring gets twisted, and immunity goes into overdrive.
Autoimmunity is a disease caused by immune action produced against substances naturally present in the body. This can be caused in a multitude of ways, but many reasons boil down to infectious triggers or genetic predisposition. One tricky way autoimmunity works is through molecular mimicry; when a pathogen has similar structures to normal human proteins, which confuses the immune system and causes cross reactions.
The autoimmune disease that launched me into my love of health and wellness is Rheumatoid Arthritis; a chronic condition where the immune system attacks the body’s own joints. Most chronic autoimmune issues come with a life of medications and procedures to counteract the symptoms, but in holistic medicine we look at diving into the root of autoimmunity and its connection with the gut microbiome. With the majority of our immunity located within the gut, its ability to regulate through the food we consume is key. The top triggers for autoimmunity is the standard American diet, gut issues, and inflammation. When these triggers are controlled, it’s found that the intensity and frequency of an autoimmune flare up can decrease significantly. There is no cure for autoimmunity, but there is treatment. The goal is to minimize the intensity of flareups and to spend longer time in remission.
Our immune system and our gut are built to ward off the bad and to absorb the good. When the body feels like it’s retaliating through autoimmunity, it’s important to remind yourself that your body is always trying its best, even if the wiring is off. Give your body love and grace, and allow it to move you in a space of self care and intuition. You could use your autoimmunity as an excuse to fold and give up, or you could use it as motivation to level up your intuition, tap into your body’s necessities, and not take a good day for granted. You may have been predisposed or triggered into an autoimmune disease, but it’s up to you to take your life into your own hands and love your body for all that it is.