What is an autoimmune disease?
An autoimmune disease is when a person’s own immune system mistakenly attacks their body similar to how it might attack a foreign virus invading the body.
These are more common than ever before and encompass a wide range of diseases including type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.
Diet and autoimmune disease
New research suggests they all autoimmune diseases may have the same root cause – a combination of imbalances in gut bacteria (gut dysbiosis) and low-grade inflammation (inflammation in our cells) (1, 2).
The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is an elimination diet which may improve symptoms for those with an autoimmune disease.
The AIP is simply an extremely nutrient-dense diet that excludes all known or suspected gut irritants, and is said to help eliminate certain food chemicals and compounds that cause gut dysbiosis and low-grade inflammation in sensitive individuals.
Cutting out these foods (in theory) reduces inflammation and gives your body the opportunity to recover and “reset”, although more research is needed to prove this.
More on autoimmune disease
All articles about Autoimmune Disease
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[Last updated 24th July, 2018]
Feeling stressed?
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Some may diagnose this cluster of symptoms as Adrenal Fatigue… but is it actually a real condition?
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[Last updated 12th June, 2019]
There are many recognized triggers of eczema.
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This article reviews the current evidence surrounding eczema treatment.[Discover More…]
Psoriasis Treatment: Does Your Diet Matter?
[Last updated 3rd April, 2019]
Psoriasis is complex to treat.
In fact, Physician Paul Bechet once said it’s “the antidote to a dermatologist’s ego” (1).
It’s an autoimmune disease that causes chronic pain and itching that can severely impact on quality of life.
Many foods and supplements are rumored to help with psoriasis treatment. But does research support these claims?
This article examines the evidence surrounding the relationship between diet and psoriasis. [Discover More…]
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[Last updated 10th February, 2018]
Many argue that nightshade vegetables causes various health issues.
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Celiac Disease and Celiac Disease Diet: The Beginner’s Guide
[Last updated 10th February, 2018]
Around 1 in 100 people have celiac disease worldwide (1).
The only known treatment is a strict gluten-free diet, which is not easy to do.
This article takes a detailed look at managing celiac disease and how to do a gluten-free diet.[Discover More…]
The Best Diet For Rheumatoid Arthritis: Reviewing The Evidence
[Last updated 3rd April, 2019]
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases.
It affects up to 1.3% of the population worldwide, mostly women.
New research indicates that diet may influence traditional treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. This article summarizes the current science and recommendations.[Discover More…]