Autoimmune Balance

Auto immunity is a misfiring or miscommunication within the immune system where a faulty signal is given and the body attacks ‘self’. This can result in tissues or organs being treated like an invader by the immune cells.

The collection of conditions and syndromes that are called autoimmune affect 1 in 20 Australians and about 75% of those are women. Autoimmune conditions are on the rise, especially in men and younger individuals. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Graves’ Disease, Coeliac Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, and Type 1 Diabetes are names you hear frequently now. Even heart disease and cancer are now considered a part of this continuum.

Autoimmune disease requires three elements to exist:

1. A genetic predisposition
2. A leaky gut (intestinal hyperpermeability)
3. A triggering event (infection, illness, stress, pregnancy, toxic exposure etc.)

Do you have achy muscles and joints, brain fog, depression, insomnia, fatigue, acne, rashes, hives, intolerance to cold or heat, hormone imbalances, diarrhea, bloating, or constipation, among many other symptoms? If you have these in multiples, there’s a reasonable chance you have an autoimmune condition. These disorders often appear as a set of seemingly unrelated symptoms that look like many other illnesses, but aren’t clearly defined. This creates a “gray area” that can be very frustrating for people struggling with these conditions.

The good news is that whether you have a diagnosed condition or the vague set of symptoms that look like one, taking a personalized, functional medicine approach can reverse this process. Until recently, it was believed that the autoimmune process couldn’t be reversed, but now we know differently. They can be put into remission by identifying ALL root causes that drive immune system attack, inflammatory processes and leaky gut, which are at the core of reversing the autoimmune progression in the body. By addressing these areas and making some lifestyle changes, the body can heal by improving physiology and achieving balance.