If you suffer from an autoimmune disease you need to take a diet according to your needs. Food plays a fundamental role. Therefore, a proper feeding plan is recommended for people with autoimmune diseases.
This plan, known as the autoimmune protocol, will help relieve discomfort. Also, as it is perfectly healthy, it is recommended for anyone.
Autoimmune diseases
The immune system protects us from diseases and infections. However, sometimes it can attack healthy cells in the body. In these cases, we speak of the so-called autoimmune diseases, in which it is the immune system itself that acts as an aggressor.
Unfortunately, the causes of these diseases are unknown. However, it seems that they tend to be hereditary and that intestinal permeability plays an important role in them. The intestine is, by nature, semi permeable, allowing the absorption of nutrients and blocking that of harmful elements for the organism. However, when this permeability is altered for various reasons, the immune system can also be altered. In that case, it could lead to inflammations and autoimmune diseases.
In general, these diseases can be chronic or remit and appear with more or less acute symptoms during periods of time. That is, they do not follow a certain pattern, and it depends on the person.
On the other hand, the same happens with the symptoms, which are very varied. From fever or headache to fatigue and fatigue … However, there is a typical and characteristic, inflammation.
Therefore, due to the variety of diseases, causes, courses and symptoms, the treatment will depend on each person and the diagnosed autoimmune disease.
More than 80 of these diseases are known. Some of the best known are:
- Celiac Disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Autoimmune hepatisis
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Guillain Barre syndrome
- Headaches
Diagnosis
Diagnosing an autoimmune disease is not easy. It is a long process and, often, really stressful. Because most symptoms are common to various autoimmune diseases and other general health problems, specialists usually take a long time to be able to diagnose them.
In the case of celiac disease, for example, even the patient himself can confuse the symptoms with certain intolerance to certain foods. However, it is not intolerance: celiac disease is a chronic disease.
On the other hand, since they can be due to numerous causes and the diseases that are included are many and different, it is even difficult to establish which specialist to go to. Gastroenterologist? Dermatologist? Endocrinologist? Make a list of your symptoms; it will help you to determine it.
In addition, as varied as the symptoms and diseases are the medical tests for its diagnosis. Therefore, we can find blood tests, antibody tests, etc.
At this point, it is important to emphasize that the patient should not give up if this is a slow and stressful process. Indeed, reaching a diagnosis is not easy, even for the health specialist. However, remember that if you have symptoms, you must know the causes that cause them to have a better quality of life.
The autoimmune protocol
The autoimmune protocol is a set of dietary guidelines for people with autoimmune diseases. However, because it consists of a healthy diet, it is suitable for everyone.
In fact, it shares many of the principles of paleodieta, albeit with variations. Therefore, advise against foods such as:
- cereals
- vegetables
- dairy products
- added sugars
In addition, it also eliminates other foods that can inflame the digestive system. These potentially irritating foods are:
- eggs
- nuts
- artificial sweeteners
- alcoholic drinks
- some spices
- coffee
However, these foods are only eliminated at the beginning. That is, as we move forward with the protocol, the intestinal permeability syndrome will improve . Thus, little by little, they will be included again.
In addition, in this way, we can observe the reactions caused by each one.
Forbidden food
In general, non-recommended foods are those unhealthy. For that reason, among the “forbidden”, we also find:
- Snacks and industrial processed. That is, Tran’s fats are discouraged.
- Meat products such as sausages, minced meat or cold meats. On the other hand, it is better to consume meat from animals that graze freely.
- Fish such as tuna or salmon, which contain many heavy metals. In addition, in relation to fish, it is better to consume wild fish and not those from fish farms.
- In effect, they can irritate the digestive system. Therefore, it is better to add the oils in the raw.
- Preservatives and colorants. Look at the labels well because these additives can alter the digestive system.
- We are obliged to mention it again. Gluten seems to be able to affect and inflame some brain areas. In this sense, it is associated with various autoimmune disorders.
Recommended foods
In general, the recommended foods are those rich in carbohydrates. Now, they should not contain gluten, which can irritate quite as we indicated.
In this sense, recommended products would be potatoes, cassava, sweet potatoes, etc. Not only is it easy to digest food, it is also not difficult to incorporate it into meals. In fact, they are very versatile and we can add them in soups, cream, salads, etc.
Among these foods we can mention avocado, blue fish, seeds and vegetable oils.
However, in relation to oils, we must insist that they should be added to the raw foods. Fried foods and cooked oils are not as healthy and are not contemplated in the autoimmune protocol.
Other foods and habits that can help you
Other foods
There are other foods and / or ingredients that seem to help people with autoimmune diseases.
Among them, we can highlight:
- It is an immunomodulator used to treat some autoimmune diseases.
- One of its components, sodium benzoate, seems to be effective in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
- Green tea. Known for its multiple properties, it helps regulate immune function. Therefore, it is recommended to people with these diseases.
As can be seen, these are products that help balance the intestinal flora and immune function. In this way, the permeability will improve; the immune system will work better and, therefore, will help alleviate the symptoms.
Bad habits
Finally, we must point out some bad habits that could increase the chances of developing autoimmune diseases. These are bad practices that, in general, affect our health and balance. Therefore, factors that could potentially contribute to the appearance of these diseases are considered.
Among them, we highlight:
- Tobacco
- Lack of physical exercise Physical exercise is key to the proper functioning of our body and the immune system.
- Bad nutrition. As we have seen previously, a poor diet can contribute to intestinal permeability.
- Obesity
- Especially the chronic one, supposes an emotional imbalance but also physiological. In this sense, it can be a triggering factor for autoimmune diseases.
- Consumption of alcohol
- Lack of vitamin D. It is an essential vitamin for the proper functioning of the immune system.
Finally, we must remember that your doctor will be the one who guides you towards an effective remedy for the disease or, at least, its symptoms. Together you can get them to remit and improve your quality of life.
It begins, however, by adopting a healthy lifestyle. It is sure that it will have a positive impact on your illness or, at least, it will help to prevent it and mitigate the symptoms.
