What Causes Autoimmune Diseases
Your immune system function is vital for your health. It protects you from disease and illness by targeting harmful viruses and bacteria. But what happens when your immune system is dysfunctional?
What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
Autoimmune diseases are the result of your immune system attacking healthy cells instead of foreign microbes. Because autoimmune diseases can target different cells throughout the entire body, there are many different types.
Some examples of autoimmune diseases include:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can attack your joints, lungs, and eyes. RA is a unique form of arthritis because it can occur much earlier than other types like osteoarthritis.
- Type-1 Diabetes damages insulin-producing cells within your pancreas, which can ultimately harm other vital organs.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) damages the myelin sheath that protects nerves within your central nervous system.
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis affects thyroid hormone production. This can create a deficiency that leads to fatigue, hair loss, weight gain, and more.
Risk Factors For Autoimmune Diseases
Although millions of Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases, researchers still aren’t sure exactly what causes this immune system dysfunction. However, we do know that autoimmune diseases are non communicable, meaning they can’t be passed from person to person.
Genetics seems to play a role in many cases. So, if autoimmune diseases run in your family, you’re at an increased risk. However, environmental factors play a much larger role. They also impact women at higher rates than men. It’s estimated that about 80% of those suffering from an autoimmune disease are women. If you already have an autoimmune disease, you’re also at risk for developing another.
In recent years, autoimmune disease has also been linked to environmental factors that are believed to contribute to an overactive immune response. This can include infection, chemicals, or even diet. By allowing toxic substances to enter the body, you might put yourself at higher risk of an autoimmune problem.
A diet that is high in sugars and processed foods can contribute to higher levels of oxidative stress, meaning an increased amount of cellular damage within the body. This can cause an inflammatory response from the immune system, leading to low-grade chronic inflammation. It is yet unknown how the hundreds of additives and chemicals in our food system might contribute to this problem.
Chronic inflammation also puts you at risk for arthritis, cancer, type-2 diabetes and other diseases that aren’t necessarily considered fully autoimmune related.
Ways To Promote Healthy Immune Function
Whether or not you already have an autoimmune disease, your immune system is worth the investment. Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can promote your immune health.
Exercise is a great way to improve your overall health. It can help reduce painful joints and improve sleep. Studies show that sleep loss can impact your immune system negatively in a number of ways. So, you’ll want to make sure you’re giving yourself plenty of time to recover each night.
Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals like cigarette smoke or excessive alcohol intake. Both of these habits can lead to a lowered immune system and puts you at greater risk for developing disease.
If you have an infection of any kind, you’ll also want to make sure you get it treated as quickly as possible, and take any follow-up appointments with your physician seriously. Epstein barr virus has been linked to the development of MS for example.
Eating foods that are healthy, like those within the Mediterranean Diet, is a natural way to boost your immune system health. This also means avoiding foods that are highly processed or high in sugars, so you don’t suffer from oxidative stress and inflammation. The closer your foods can get to nature, the better.
Supplements That Boost Your Immune System
Even with the best diet, it can be difficult to get all the nutrients you need. That’s why Dr. Warner developed Well Theory supplements designed to promote a healthy immune system.
The Daily Immune Complex was designed by Dr. Warner to address the various root causes of immune dysfunction, for improved energy, cellular health, and improved overall wellness. It’s packed with ingredients like Zinc, Quercetin, Schisandra Berry, Vitamin C & D, and more!
The Immune Boost Multi is also great for promoting immune health, while reducing inflammation and improving bone and respiratory health! It includes Quercetin, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C.
