Immunity: It is a defense system of body which protects us from infections and illness. But when your immune system attacks your own body, its called Autoimmunity.
Autoimmunity is the presence of self-reactive immune response e.g., auto-antibodies (Humoral) , self-reactive T cells (Auto rective T cells), with or without damage or pathology resulting from it. It mistakes healthy part as an attacking substance.
• It can attack any part of body like blood cells, blood vessels, joints, skin, lungs, kidneys, brain and spinal cord, thyroid, pancreas.
• More than 80 different kinds of diseases has been caused by autoimmunity.
• The attack can be directed either against a very specific tissue or to a large no of tissues.
Cause of Automimmune Disease
As per the best nutritionist in Mumbai it can be caused by immunological, genetic, viral, drug-induced, and hormonal factors.
• There are 4 immunological mechanisms of autoimmunity and all mechanisms cause abnormal B or T cell activation.
• Probability of such diseases occur with multiple mechanisms, which makes treatment difficult.
• Commonly toxins like Bisphenol A (BPA) which is used to harden plastic like water bottle , food containers, utensils which leaches into water and food and cause immune reactions. ; Excitotoxins; Pesticides; Medication; Personal Care products.
Dietary connection of Autoimmunity
• Modern diets include a large number of foodstuffs which are cooked at high temperatures to give them added flavor and texture. However, this leads to enhanced formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) the excess of which has been associated with different lifestyle and age related diseases
• AGEs have been linked to autoimmunity in several studies conducted on patients as well as experimental animals.
• One of the possible mechanisms responsible for triggering of AGE induced autoimmunity is believed to be the enhanced immunogenicity of AGE modified proteins. Sometimes, modification of proteins like albumin, IgG, LDL, and factor VIII may contribute to their enhanced immunogenicity and formation of antibodies against them
• Research has shown that a number of viral and bacterial infections lead to autoimmune disease, including Epstein-Barr (the virus that causes mono), Herpes Simplex 1 and 2, E. coli, and more.
Major nutrients required for healthy Immune System
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Folic acid
• Iron
• Selenium
• Zinc
8 healthy ways to treat autoimmunity by Diet
1. Maintain Gut health -Bacterial growth in the gut are linked to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Research shows that probiotics improve immune system of body. Include probiotics, remove food sensitivities.
2. Avoids foods which have presence of food allergens
3. We can check for heavy metals toxicity which cause auto immunity. Include Vitamin B, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C which helps to remove heavy metal toxicity
4. Anti inflammatory diet –Include foods like omega 3 fish, turmeric, leafy greens which have anti inflammatory properties. And avoid inflammatory foods –Sugar and corn oils.
5. Include Anti histamine foods like quercitin rich foods like onion, apple, okra ; Bromelain present in pineapple; Vitamin C which suppress the release of histamine and thus avoid inflammation.
6. Include resveratol rich foods like red grapes, raisins, dark chocolate which has anti inflammatory properties, hence reducing progression of autoimmune disease.Include alpha lipoic acid rich foods like walnuts, flax seeds etc which have immunomodulatory effects on both adaptive and innate immune systems.
7. Include anti oxidant rich foods which can reduce further progression of auto immune diseases like Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin C rich foods.
8. Try to make healthy detoxification system so that foreign body doesnot stay for long time inside body. Try to include sulphated phytochemical rich foods like garlic or cruciferous vegetables etc which supports detoxification system.
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