Natural Ways to Treat Autoimmune Disease

What many of us don’t realize is that we each possess an army of personal bodyguards that offer 24/7 protection against germs and viruses. We call this army our immune system. It comprises a complex network of cells, organs, proteins, and antibodies that work together to fight off bacteria, viruses, and other harmful pathogens.

But what happens if our immune system suddenly turns on itself or can’t differentiate between friend and foe? 

This is what happens in autoimmune disease. Your immune system turns on itself, attacking healthy cells, tissues, and organs. 

Why it does so is still not fully understood. But what we do know is that it can be treated with natural support, therapy, and medical care. 

Let’s dive in to learn more! 

Key Takeaways

• “Natural support” means habits and supports that can reduce stress on the body and improve day-to-day function. 
• Autoimmune conditions vary from person to person. What helps one may aggravate another.
• Natural ways of treating autoimmune disease include dietary changes, lifestyle changes, and psychological support from your care team.

5 Natural Ways to Treat Autoimmune Disease

As of writing this, there’s still no single natural or medical cure for treating autoimmune disease. It is a chronic condition that will likely stay with you for the rest of your life. 

That’s the bad news. 

The good news is that you can manage symptoms through lifestyle and natural health approaches alongside medical care. Natural support strategies that take on a holistic approach have seen much better results in combating and possibly even stemming disease progression.

Here are five that truly work!

1: Adopting an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Inflammation is one of the most common symptoms of immunodeficiency. Reducing it should always be a top priority.

The best way to do that is to adopt an anti-inflammatory diet that typically includes:

• Fatty fish (salmon, sardines) are rich in omega-3
• Olive oil and avocados
• Leafy greens and colourful vegetables
• Berries and antioxidant-rich fruits
• Nuts and seeds

You also need to remove trigger foods from your diet, such as:

• Refined sugar
• Gluten or dairy (for some individuals)
• Fried and highly processed foods

These foods trigger inflammation, resulting in an increased risk of flare-ups. They should be avoided at all costs. 

Many Naturopathic Doctors also recommend the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet. This diet consists of only nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables and is a lot stricter than a Paleo diet or Mediterranean diet, having multiple elimination and reintroduction phases. 

An AIP diet is used to identify trigger foods that may be causing “flare-ups” resulting in symptoms like muscle aches, fatigue, rash, and joint pain. Once trigger foods are identified, they are completely removed from your diet. 

2: Improving Gut Health

Think of your gut as your immune system’s fortress. 70% of your immune system is connected to your gut, and it is where most of the “action” happens. 

Thus, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome matters a lot. Many people find that symptoms improve when digestion is steadier and meals are consistent.

Foods that can positively affect the gut microbiome include:

• Probiotic foods (yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut)
• Prebiotic foods (garlic, onions, bananas)
• Fibre-rich whole foods

The healthier and more balanced your gut microbiome is, the more resilient you are to autoimmune triggers and flare-ups.

3: Stress Reduction

Stress does not “cause” autoimmunity. However, studies indicate it can intensify symptoms and make flare-ups harder to recover from. 

This is because stress hormones like cortisol can aggravate immune dysregulation. This disrupts immune signalling and increases inflammation.

Some common and helpful techniques to help reduce stress include:

• Meditation
• Breathing exercises
• Body scans
• Yoga
• Short walks in nature
• Therapy or counselling

While breathing routines, short walks, body scans, grounding, and consistent daily structure can keep stressors in check, counselling can help reduce negative self-talk, shame, and panic spirals that often come with chronic illness, especially during flares.

4: Improving Sleep Quality

Quality sleep is one of the most underrated ways of staying healthy. 

While sleeping, your immune system is at its most active. As you rest, your immune system focuses on repairing, restoring, and strengthening its defences.

A lack of sleep or poor quality sleep can prevent your body from fully recovering. This can lead to an increase in inflammatory markers and worsening of autoimmune flare-ups.

Improving sleep quality can thus go a long way in reducing the severity of symptoms. Most adults generally need 7-9 hours of sleep for optimal immune balance. 

Some natural and easy ways to do this are by:

• Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
• Avoiding screens 1 hour before bed
• Sleeping in a dark, cool bedroom
• Limiting caffeine or alcohol consumption late in the day

5: Targeted Nutrients and Supplements

Naturopathic Doctors dig deep into what type of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins you may be lacking in. This is essential as a lack of vital nutrients can trigger autoimmune responses, while ensuring desired levels can better regulate immunity.

A lack of vitamin D, for example, is often linked with autoimmune disorders. However, healthcare professionals will also consider other nutrients like:

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Curcumin (turmeric extract)
• Magnesium
• Zinc

Omega–3 fatty acids from fish oil, vitamins C and D, and curcumin can help correct nutritional imbalances and possibly even reduce the severity and frequency of flare-ups. 

Prebiotics and probiotics are also proven to strengthen and heal the gut lining, resulting in a healthier gut microbiome.

Those living with an autoimmune condition should always work with a qualified practitioner before starting supplements or undertaking major dietary changes. Some supplements can interact with medications and may not be appropriate during pregnancy, surgery windows, or other health conditions.

NOTE: Targeted supplements work best as a complement to medical care, not a replacement. 

What Causes Autoimmune Disease?

The field of immunology is still being fully understood, and there is a lot that we don’t know. As our immune system is a highly complex and intricate network, pinpointing exactly what causes autoimmune disease is extremely challenging.

What we do know is that over 100 autoimmune disorders exist, and those living with autoimmune disease usually have at least a cluster of these autoimmune disorders that can target one or multiple systems in the body. 

Depending on the type of autoimmune disorder, you may experience symptoms like joint pain, muscle aches, fatigue, and even rashes. In most cases, these symptoms come and go, but can progressively worsen over time, especially without proper care.  

Treating Autoimmune Disease Through Spectrum Therapeutic Solutions

At Spectrum Therapeutic Solutions, we offer a holistic and compassionate approach to treating autoimmune disease.  

Our panel of renowned therapists and clinicians work together to create a customized therapeutic plan that not only addresses mental and emotional health but also physical wellness.

We believe in listening first, challenging negative self-talk, reframing thoughts, and celebrating progress, even the small wins. Our goal is to stay with you every step of the way, nurturing and empowering you to be your best self!

Book an appointment today or contact us for further details.

FAQs

Q1) Can natural approaches replace medication for autoimmune disease?

Natural approaches should never be replaced with medication for autoimmune disease or any other disease without discussing it first with your medical practitioner. Natural approaches can complement medications that you may be taking, but are never meant to replace them altogether. 

Q2) What diet is best for autoimmune disease?

There is no single best diet for everyone. However, anti-inflammatory diets like the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet, Paleo diet or Mediterranean diet are usually recommended. 

Q3) Are elimination diets safe?

They can be helpful in the short term when done carefully, as long as there is a clear reintroduction plan and support to prevent nutrient gaps.

Q4) How can therapy help with autoimmune symptoms?

Therapy can go a long way in helping with autoimmune symptoms. It can help reduce stress load, improve sleep routines, help manage health anxiety, and support healthier communication and boundaries during flares.