Over the last couple of years, as I have integrated more and more chemical, hormonal and internal balance work with my physical practice, I have had the opportunity to work with an increased amount of clients presenting with autoimmune disorders. Some examples are:
• Chronic fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Chron’s disease
• Lupus
So what exactly is an auto immune disease? When the immune system becomes overactive the body fails to recognise a part of the body and literally turns on itself. Recently a clients’ wife was diagnosed with lupus, one of the first tests that I decided to run was a gastro-intestinal panel to determine the health of the digestive system.
The findings were as follows:
- Multiple parasite overgrowth
- Bacterial and fungal overgrowth
- Reduced digestive enzyme output
- Antibody or allergic responses to gluten
The medical practitioner’s course of action was to recommend a course of steroids, which one of many side effects is the suppression of the adrenal glands. The lab test that I ran was effectively ignored. The problem…… that all these potential pathogens or disease causing microbes were causing an immune system reaction. When the body identifies an antigen or foreign body that it doesn’t like, it starts to go to work with the production of antibodies.
A vicious cycle often ensues, for many people are often in a state of adrenal fatigue. The adrenal glands control a host of major functions, one of these is the regulation of cortisol, cortisol is produced to help regulate many things from waking up, blood sugar regulation and control anti inflammatory reactions. Too much cortisol produced through long term stress can not only suppress the immune system but over time exhaust the adrenal glands and a decreased amount of cortisol is readily available and its anti inflammatory properties.
Once this occurs, an overproduction of antibodies and other natural defences can often elevate and perceive parts of the body as a threat and sees friend as foe, the attack or auto immune response occurs. Like most medical conditions symptom suppression rather than causative investigation is sought.
Here’s some top tips to help avoid autoimmune disease and to help recover. Removal of
• Environmental toxins, from perfume, to mould and other household substances
• Exposure to daily foods which cause inflammation, such as flour
• Exposure to drugs, contraception, pain killers etc
• Emotional stress
Testing or identifying these factors is a relatively simple process and is a step in the right direction when treating any autoimmune issue
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