The Link Between Gut Health + Autoimmune Conditions
By Barb Beavis,
Functional Nutritionist
Nov 26, 2023
If it seems like you know more women than men who are impacted by autoimmune diseases, you’re not imagining it. Current statistics estimate that women account for a whopping 78% of the roughly two million Canadians who suffer from autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune diseases are caused by a miscommunication in the body. Your immune system’s job is to recognize a viral or bacterial infection and produce the antibodies needed to defeat it. However, in the case of an autoimmune disease, the body is creating antibodies that attack healthy cells, with often severe health complications.
What has any of that got to do with your gut, you may be wondering. It might not be the first place you would look for the root of an autoimmune disease like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis. Yet a growing body of evidence suggests that gut health is a major factor in causing them - and in potentially relieving symptoms and reducing severity.
The gut is your second brain, and it affects every system in your body, impacting mood, metabolism, and overall wellness. The microbiome of your gut is also closely linked to your immune system, which is why it’s vital to maintain a healthy microbiome with a variety of good bacteria. When dysbiosis, an imbalance between good and bad bacteria in your gut, occurs, trouble begins.
Autoimmune diseases are by no means simple to understand or resolve. Many patients come to us after years of frustrating interactions with conventional Western medicine that provides little in the way of relief or understanding. It’s partially because so many factors can play a role in this class of diseases: genetics, environmental conditions, lifestyle choices, and more can all play a role. Medicine can trigger a change that confuses the immune system, or exposure to certain chemicals, a bacteria or a virus…
Nevertheless, more and more research is connecting the dots between gut health and autoimmune diseases. 80% of the immune system resides within the gut lining, which means that any imbalances in your microbiome can negatively impact the immune system. Also note that antibiotics can drastically reduce the variety of good bacteria in the gut, thereby increasing risk of developing an autoimmune disease.
The good news is that knowledge is power. We know that healing the gut and being mindful about our microbiome can have a true and life-changing effect on autoimmune issues, reducing both the frequency and severity of flare-ups. That gives us the power to improve our wellness.
If you suffer from an autoimmune disease, functional nutrition is your friend. We can discover more about what’s really going on in your body at a cellular level and adjust what you put in your body to create a healthier gut environment.
Specifically, we may recommend a number of supplemental treatments to consider for basic autoimmune support. Probiotics and other gut healing agents; Omega 3 fatty acids and other essential fatty acids; Selenium, which can be found in Brazil nuts (try 2-4 raw nuts per day, but watch out for rancidity and make sure they are fresh); Vitamin C, bromelain, turmeric, ginger, and resveratrol can help modulate inflammation; also consider adaptogenic herbs like reishi mushrooms and ginseng, depending on your specific condition.
We can also use lifestyle medicine and a number of other modalities to reduce stress, calm your nervous system, exercise properly, and get better sleep - all of which will help to improve your gut health and - therefore - autoimmune conditions.
Every system in your body is intricately connected and they are all connected to your gut. By treating your overall health and wellness and finding balance in your life, you will find that the quality of your life quickly improves.
Don’t waste another day feeling unheard or unseen by your medical professional. Don’t live with pain and discomfort any longer. Come see us and find out how functional nutrition and our other services can address your autoimmune disease.
Barb Beavis
Functional Nutritionist