Autoimmune Disease Management

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reports that there are more than 80 different autoimmune diseases and more than 24 million people in the U.S. suffer from an autoimmune disease.

The Importance of a Balanced Immune System

• A healthy immune system is essential for normal growth and development and maximized longevity. It is designed to protect your body against germs. When it senses foreign danger, it becomes activated and attacks unknown germs.
• An underactive immune system may not be able to adequately defend against infections leading to a weakened body or even life-threatening consequences.
• If the immune response is activated without a real threat or is not turned off once the danger passes, this can result in autoimmunity and exaggerated allergic responses. With an autoimmune disease, your immune system overreacts and attacks healthy cells in your body. There is a loss of ability to clearly differentiate “self” from “non-self”. Autoimmune diseases can affect every part of the body and can cause loss of function, an increased risk of hospitalizations, disability, impaired quality of life, and decreased productivity.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps keep the immune system healthy and balanced. When the immune system becomes unbalanced, it can begin to overreact. The inflammatory response can be triggered by extreme stress, an unhealthy diet, and poor lifestyle choices, and a sedentary lifestyle. Below are five tips to help reduce inflammation and flareups.

• Consume Anti-inflammatory Foods – Anti-inflammatory foods reduce inflammation and are considered some of the healthiest foods on the planet. Anti-inflammatory foods are high in antioxidants, polyphenols, and omega 3 fatty acids. Some of the top anti-inflammatory foods include green leafy vegetables (collard greens, kale, spinach, etc.), fatty fish (sardines, tuna, salmon, and mackerel), nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.), olive oil, avocadoes, fruits (blueberries, cherries, strawberries, and citrus fruits).
• Daily Exercise – Regular exercise helps to reduce inflammation in the body by detoxifying the body. Working up a sweat helps to release toxins. In addition to this, as your heart begins beating faster, it pushes more oxygen through the body helping to revitalize the body. For best results, get at least 30 to 45 minutes of cardio five times a week along with 15 to 25 minutes of weight training four or five times a week.
• Reduce Inflammatory Foods – Just like there are foods that help fight inflammation, there are also foods that can cause inflammation. These unhealthy foods include refined carbohydrates (pastries, white bread, etc.), processed meats (hot dogs, lunch meats, and sausages), fried foods (French fries, onion rings, etc.), red meat, unhealthy fats (margarine, lard, and shortening), soda and other sugary beverages.
• Stress Management – Chronic stress and anxiety can contribute to inflammation and increase the frequency of an autoimmune disease flare. Learning how to manage your stress levels may help reduce the number of flareups you experience. Meditation is often used to relieve your stress. This stress management technique is designed to clear your mind. Another stress relief technique is guided imagery. Other stress relief techniques include yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery.
• Weight Loss – Obesity also increases the risk of several autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. A sedentary lifestyle along with a poor diet increases your waistline as well as inflammation in the body. Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of autoimmune disease.