07/12/2024
Gut health is closely linked to autoimmune disease. In fact, autoimmune illness affects roughly 23.5 million Americans.
First, a quick review of some autoimmune illnesses:
Autoimmune Illnesses
Rheumatoid Arthritis : Immune system antibodies attach to the linings of joints. Joints react by becoming inflamed, causing swelling, and pain.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitis: Immune system antibodies attack and destroy insulin–producing cells in the pancreas.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): The Intestinal lining is targeted by the autoimmune response.
Lupus : Autoimmune antibodies attach to tissues throughout the body including joints, lungs, blood cells, nerves, and kidneys.
Vasculitis: Vasculitis causes inflammation of the blood vessels. The walls of the blood vessels thicken and as a result blood vessel passageways narrow. Restricted blood flow can cause organ and tissue damage.
Thyroid Illnesses: The immune system attacks the thyroid gland by mistake. Your thyroid then can’t make enough thyroid hormone or makes too much. Graves’ disease, where the body makes too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism), and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where it doesn’t make enough of the hormone (hypothyroidism).
Guillian Barre Syndrome: Nerves controlling muscles in the legs and sometimes the arms and upper body are attacked by the immune system.
So these are just a few, there are many more. Now we’ll focus on how to heal the gut to reverse autoimmune disease.
Why is it important to heal the gut?
An ultra-thin lining separates the gut and immune system. Studies have shown healthy gut bacteria develop healthy immune cells. They also identify invaders and help remove them.
What is the Link between Inflammation and Autoimmune Illnesses?
An inflammatory response is associated with many autoimmune and chronic diseases. However, inflammation doesn’t always cause illness. Acute inflammation helps your body clear infections, repair, and heal after injury. It’s chronic inflammation that causes