Submitted by YHR on Thu, 04/01/2010 - 07:43
While allergies are the prime example of an overactive immune system that attacks harmless foreign substances such as pollen or certain foods, another class of immune disorders is the autoimmune diseases, which occur when the immune system attacks the cells of our own bodies.
A healthy immune system protects the body from harmful substances, or antigens, such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, cancer cells, and foreign tissues. But in people with an autoimmune disorder, the immune system can't tell the difference between those antigens and healthy body tissue. The result is an immune response that attacks and destroys normal body tissues.
An autoimmune disorder may affect a particular organ or tissue type, or an entire bodily system, and in some cases, a person may have more than one autoimmune disease. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders, including:
• 
Multiple Sclerosis, a disorder in which the immune system attacks the nervous system, beginning with the myelin sheaths that protect the nerves and their communication centers
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis) a systemic immune system attack of the joints
• Lupus, or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus , which can affect skin, joints, connective tissue, kidneys, heart, brain, red blood cells, and other tissues
• Grave’s Disease and Hashimoto’s Thryroiditis, both of which affect the thyroid gland
• Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, which is an autoimmune disorder of the pancreas islet (Type 2 Diabetes, which accounts for 90-95% of diabetes cases, is NOT an autoimmune disorder)
• Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, immune attacks of the GI tract
• Guillain-Barre syndrome, affecting the nervous system
• Scleroderma, which attacks mainly the skin, and also the intestine
• Vitiligo, attacks the pigment melanin, causing white patches on the skin
The cause of autoimmune diseases is unknown, but it appears that there is an inherited predisposition to develop them, with autoimmune diseases tending to run in families (although family members may not have the same disorders). Autoimmune disorders are more common in women, especially those in child-bearing years, leading researchers to believe that there is a hormonal connection as well. Environmental triggers such as certain medications, toxins, viral infections and lifestyle choices may also play a role.
Traditional treatment of autoimmune disorders is to relieve the symptoms with anti-inflammatories, or pain relievers, or to use immunosuppressive medicines, such as steroids, which inhibit the immune system. But suppressing all immune function puts the body at risk for infection, viruses, and other real threats.
What really needs to be done is to balance the immune system. Like a person suffering with poor vision, it has lost the ability to distinguish between friend and foe. So what we want to do is put glasses on the immune system – restore its vision, its ability to recognize true danger, and respond appropriately.
In the next article, Balancing Your Immune System, we will look at the vitamins, minerals, herbs, fruit extracts and other compounds that work together to balance the immune system – not suppressing it, and not putting it into overdrive.
But for those with autoimmune disorders, there are some specific foods and nutrients guidelines that address the inflammation that underlies many of the diseases.
Foods to Avoid
• High glycemic foods such as sugars, white flour and processed foods, which increase inflammation
• Corn/safflower/sunflower oils which contain high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids (not to be confused with the very beneficial omega-3 fatty acids)
• Saturated fats, which are also inflammatory
• Alfalfa sprouts, which stimulate the immune system
Foods/Nutrients to Have Regularly
• Omega-3 fatty acids, which reduces inflammation
• Vitamin D and B vitamins, which can inhibit pro-inflammatory responses
• Vitamins C, E and K
• Turmeric/curcumin and ginger
• Boswellia extract,
• Low starch vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and salad greens
• High flavonoid foods such as berries, citrus, tea and coco
In addition, getting enough rest, exercising regularly when possible, and finding ways to reduce and manage stress are extremely important for those suffering from autoimmune diseases. And above all, pray with understanding for God to reveal to you the pathway for your healing.
A friend of mine has been diagnosed with Multiple Schlerosis. She is still young. Are there any known natural ways of reducing symptons or reversing this disease?
I appreciate any recommondations you could give.
Thank you!
Our prayers are with your friend in her battle with multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, nothing has been shown to reverse the disease, but a good diet and nutrition may be of some benefit.
Because MS is an inflammatory disease, a good place to start is following an “anti-inflammatory diet”, which is high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and omega-3 fatty acids and low in trans fats, sugar, saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates (see the article above as well as Battling Inflammation With Food for more details)
In addition, she may want to talk to her doctor about supplementation with specific nutrients, and see how they could fit into her treatment program.
Two nutrients that have shown the greatest promise are:
• Fish oil/omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the inflammatory response and are needed for normal function of nervous system and production of myelin (the protective nerve covering that is damaged by MS).
• Vitamin D: Several studies have suggested that maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D may have a protective effect and lower the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Other studies suggest that for people who already have MS, vitamin D may lessen the frequency and severity of their symptoms.
Other nutrients that should be considered include:
• Calcium to help prevent osteoporosis, which is more common in MS patients.
• A full spectrum multi vitamin, mineral and antioxidant complex to support all body systems, combat free radicals (which may play a role in MS), maintain energy, and support overall health.
• Immune-balancing nutrients such as probiotics and astragalus to support a healthy immune system (please see Balancing Your Immune System for more information).
As is always the case when dealing with a diagnosed medical condition, before beginning or changing any diet or nutritional program, your friend should first discuss it with her doctor.
God Bless.
I have been diagnosed with several autoimmune conditions and my doctor is not looking into the possibility of having sclorderma. It is my prayer that God will restore my immune system and protect my body from a further autoimmune conditions. What would you suggest for vitamin supplements that would help to improve my immune system and prevent further autoimmune problems?
In Christ,
Mimi
I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH MYASTHENIA GRAVIS(MG) SINCE 1989 AND THE LORD HAS LEAD ME IN HOW TO USE THE MEDICATION PRESCRIBED BY MY DOCTORS FOR TREATMENT OF OF THIS AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER. I HAVE BEEN IN WHAT DOCTORS CALL REMISSION FOR PERIODS OF 5 TO 7 YEARS WHERE I WAS NOT BED-RIDDEN AND OR TOTALLY INCAPACITATED BY USING ALTERNATIVE SUPPLEMENTS. I HAVE A PROBLEM IN THAT I CAN NOT FIND HARDLY ANY ADVICE ON DEALING WITH MG FROM THE ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS. AND I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD ADVISE ME FURTHER IN DEALING WITH MG. I AM TAKING MESTINON AN ANTICHOLINASE AND PREDNISONE TO SUPPRESS MY IMMUNE SYSTEM -- FROM ALL THE REGULAR MEDICAL INFORMATION, TO PUT IT IN SHORT FORM EXPLANATION, MG IS AN OVER-ACTIVE IMMUNE THAT DOES NOT KNOW HOW OR WHEN TO SHUT OFF AFTER DEALING WITH A SITUATION OF STRESS OR AFTER RESPONDING IN AN EPISODE OF INFECTION INVASION. SO, IT THEN ATTACKS THE NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION SWITCHES AS IF THEY WERE INVASIVE DISEASE TO BE ATTACKED AND DESTROYED.
DO YOU OR CAN YOU FIND INFORMATION ON HOW TO BETTER DEAL WITH MYASTHENIA GRAVIS IN A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY WHERE THE MEDICATION LITERALLY IS NOT JUST AS BAD AS THE AILMENT.
THX,
GOD BLESS YOU
CW IN FORT WORT, TX
The ingredients found in Immunity Support can help to balance an immune system that is overactive or underactive, and to provide nutritional support to the system as a whole, so they may be helpful for the autoimmune disorder myasthenia gravis.
In addition, these nutrients have shown promise specifically for MG:
• Creatine can enhance muscle power and strength, and along with resistance exercise may promote gains in strength and lean muscle mass in myasthenia gravis patients.
• The herb Huperzine A, which is a highly effective and highly selective inhibitor of the acetylcholinesterase and may enhance muscle contractions.
• Choline and lecithin, which are critical to normal membrane structure and function and may be an effective means of increasing the levels of acetylcholine in myasthenia gravis patients
• Vitamin K may have a regulatory effect on myasthenia gravis
Other supplements that might help with muscle function or reduce inflammation include branch chain amino acids, coenzyme Q10, fish oil, DHEA, vitamin E, and minerals such as calcium and potassium. The B vitamin complex is also highly involved in cellular function and acetylcholine production and may help boost acetylcholine levels. (The full spectrum nutritional program Basic Nutrient Support provides many of these nutrients.)
As always when dealing with a condition such as yours, before starting/changing any supplement program be sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider. Continue to pray for your pathway to healing and God Bless.
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