Autoimmune diseases are more common than we often realize—affecting at least 1 in every 5 Americans, with 75% of those impacted being women. But what exactly are autoimmune diseases, and how can we understand the underlying causes and symptoms? In today’s blog post, we’ll dive deep into the world of autoimmunity, explore its triggers, and discuss how we can better manage or even prevent these conditions.
What Is Autoimmunity?
Autoimmunity occurs when our immune system—our body’s defense against infections and harmful invaders—mistakes our own healthy cells for harmful ones. This leads to a chain reaction of inflammation, cell damage, and even cell death. There are over 100 known autoimmune diseases, with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, and ulcerative colitis among the most common.
But what causes our immune system to go rogue? And how can we recognize the signs of an autoimmune disease before it wreaks havoc?
Recognizing the Signs of Autoimmunity
When it comes to autoimmune diseases, the symptoms can vary greatly depending on the condition. However, some common signs may include:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Brain fog
- Skin rashes
- Low-grade fever
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Each autoimmune disease comes with its own specific symptoms. For instance, Type 1 diabetes will present very different signs from rheumatoid arthritis or ulcerative colitis. It’s crucial to connect the dots and investigate the root causes of these symptoms, which may often involve a deeper look at the body’s inflammatory processes.
The Role of Inflammation in Autoimmunity
We now know that chronic inflammation plays a central role in the pathology of autoimmunity. Current research is more specifically pointing to the innate immune system as having a key role in the development and progression of autoimmune disease.
In the past, researchers believed that genetics played a major role in autoimmunity. While that still holds some truth, recent studies suggest that our lifestyle choices—like diet, environmental exposures, and infections—play a larger role in setting the stage for autoimmune diseases.
Persistent low-level inflammation can lead to the over-activation of immune cells, making them hyper-reactive or causing them to malfunction. This dysregulation is a key player in the development of autoimmune diseases.
A Closer Look at Chronic Inflammation: Is the Gut Involved?
One area where inflammation seems to begin is in the gut. Intestinal hyperpermeability—commonly referred to as "leaky gut,” is when the epithelial lining of the gut becomes damaged and toxins, bacteria and viruses, and even food particles gain access to the bloodstream. This overstimulates the immune system, triggering chronic inflammatory cascades that can lead to immune dysfunction.
Additionally, molecular mimicry can occur when the immune system attacks foreign invaders, such as bacteria, that are structurally similar to the body’s own cells. For example, bacteria may resemble thyroid gland cells, causing the immune system to mistakenly attack the thyroid in conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
The Role of Diet, Food Additives and GMOs
It’s common knowledge that we in America tend to be over fed and undernourished. The typical American diet is low in vegetables but high in inflammatory oils, fried foods, sugar, and white breads. This results in nutritional deficiencies, high blood sugar and inflammation wreaking havoc throughout our bodies.
Did you know that food additives could also contribute to chronic inflammation? The FDA has approved over 3,000 food additives, many of which may cause adverse reactions. Add to this the rise of GMOs and the declining nutritional quality of our food due to soil depletion, and it becomes clear that modern food systems are likely a hidden driver of autoimmune conditions.
In combination with these environmental factors, chronic infections—like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)—can also play a role. EBV can remain dormant in the body and become reactivate later in life, causing ongoing inflammation and immune dysfunction. Similarly, parasites can trigger an immune response, further escalating the problem. Some believe that the rise in this issue can be a result of the hygiene hypothesis, which posits that a lack of early exposure to a large enough variety of microbes or pathogens may increase the risk of autoimmune diseases and allergies.
Other Environmental Exposures: Air, Water, and Medical Interventions
It’s not just our food that contributes to inflammation. Air quality—both indoor and outdoor—can worsen inflammation and make autoimmune conditions more severe. Exposure to toxins like chlorine, fluoride, and chemicals in our water can also increase inflammatory responses in the body.
Additionally, some medical treatments may inadvertently cause autoimmune problems. For example, vaccines contain adjuvants, substances designed to enhance the immune response. However, they may sometimes trigger the production of autoantibodies, which can contribute to autoimmune diseases. Drugs like steroids, NSAIDs, and PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) can also deplete vital nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, and contribute to gut dysbiosis (poor gut microbiome) further weakening the immune system.
Lifestyle Factors: Stress, Sleep, and Exercise
Beyond environmental factors, our daily habits can significantly impact immune function. Lack of sunshine is a key example, as vitamin D insufficiency is being linked to autoimmune conditions like thyroid disease and multiple sclerosis (MS). Similarly, insufficient sleep contributes to low-grade inflammation, making the body more susceptible to autoimmune reactions.
Stress—whether physical, chemical, or emotional—can also trigger inflammation. Chronic stress leads to the release of cortisol, which can impair immune regulation over time. On the other hand, regular physical activity can help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms of many autoimmune diseases.
Finally, obesity itself is an inflammatory condition, and excess weight is known to worsen autoimmune activity. Over-inflated fat cells can release inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation. This inflammation is a hallmark of obesity and is linked to conditions like insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other metabolic disorders. By managing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, we can support our immune systems and reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases.
Managing Autoimmunity: A Holistic Approach
While autoimmunity is complex and multifaceted, it’s clear that addressing inflammation from multiple angles—diet, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and stress management—can make a significant difference. Whether you're managing an autoimmune condition, working to prevent one, or simply aiming to improve your health, a holistic approach that reduces chronic inflammation and strengthens immune function can boost your overall health and quality of life.
It’s crucial to listen to your body, recognize early warning signs, and work with a holistic health professional to uncover the root causes of any autoimmune symptoms. By taking proactive steps to manage inflammation, you can help protect your body from the damaging effects of autoimmune disease.
Final Thoughts
Autoimmunity may seem like a daunting topic, but understanding the factors that contribute to its development gives us the tools to better manage and potentially prevent these diseases. Whether it’s through improving gut health, reducing exposure to environmental toxins, or managing stress, we can all take steps toward a healthier immune system.
Stay informed, stay proactive, and remember—your health is in your hands!