How Autoimmune Disease is Related to Gut Health

With one or more autoimmune diseases affecting more than 50 million people, many doctors and researchers are racing to find a medicine that will help with these conditions. Not only do the numbers far exceed those of cancer and heart disease, but autoimmune diseases are also the leading killer of women 65 years and under. So what exactly is causing these conditions and could preventing them or correcting the symptoms can be as simple as taking care of gut health?

What is an Autoimmune Disease?

When looking at what causes an autoimmune disease (AID), it’s important to know what it is. AIDS is a condition where the immune system attacks the body it is meant to protect. It mistakes a part or several parts of the body as foreign and will send autoantibodies to attack healthy cells. An AID may, among other symptoms, be the cause of:

Fatigue
Skin Rashes
Achy Muscles
Numbness and Tingling
Swelling and Redness
Hair Loss
Low-grade Fever
Trouble Concentrating

The Effect of Gut Microbes

While you may not realize it, the gut hosts a lot of microbes that not only help with metabolism but maintaining a healthy immune system as well. While most of these stay contained in the GI tract, there can be instances in which this lining is breached and microbes can get into the bloodstream and nearby organs. This can then contribute to the development of a disease, specifically an autoimmune disease.

As recent as 2018, results from a study were published that looked at the effects of the bacterium E. gallinarum breaching the gut barrier in mice. Not only did it cause an autoimmune response, but it was found in lymph nodes and the liver.

Furthermore, researchers have found this bacterium in liver biopsies from three individuals who had been diagnosed with lupus erythematosus, an AID affecting tissue in the entire body.

Traditional Medication

Since doctors claim to not know what causes autoimmune diseases, many end up treating the symptoms their patients face rather than getting to the root cause. While simply masking the symptoms with medication, the disease continues to attack the body. Additionally, some medication can lead to cancer, further AID development , and deficiencies in important healing vitamins and nutrients.

After prolonged use of certain medications, the body will naturally begin to break down, fueling the need for more medication and possibly surgeries. Along with the high cost of paying for treatment, quality of life will suffer as the body will not be able to function as it once did.

Healing Naturally

So what can be done to prevent or help with an autoimmune disorder? What the 2018 study of E. gallinarum really shows is the importance of gut health. Having a healthy GI microbiome and taking steps to prevent a leaky gut can really make a difference when faced with various health concerns and diseases.

Some ways to improve the health of your GI tract include:

Eating fermented foods and taking a high quality probiotic to help keep adequate microbiome bacteria.
Taking L-glutamine to help heal and reproduce the mucosal lining in the GI tract.
Getting properly tested for bacteria and yeast infections, as well as food allergies and sensitivities.
Avoiding medications like ibuprofen and aspirin, which can affect the lining of the small intestine.
Steering clear of harmful chemicals, whether in plastics, perfumes, and harsh cleaning agents.

Find a Functional Medicine Doctor

Lastly, to truly find natural healing, it’s important to find a doctor that has the same goals and values you do. At The Gut Authority, we are passionate about creating solutions specific to the needs of each individual and helping them find a quality of life that far surpasses their expectations.