Autoimmune diseases have become more prevalent, and are often underdiagnosed. It's even common for some people to have more than one autoimmune disease. So let's take a look at the immune system and autoimmunity.

 

Your Immune System and Autoimmunity

The job of your immune system is to protect you from infections and harmful substances. It differentiates "self' from "non-self" and wages an attack on "non-self". However, with an autoimmune disease, your immune system has mistakenly identified your own tissues as "non-self" and attacked it. Why does it do this? No one really knows why, but it’s believed that there are multiple factors contributing to its development.

 

Root Causes of Autoimmunity

Root causes of autoimmune diseases include gut issues, such as leaky gut syndrome, insulin surges, mental and emotional stress, adrenal fatigue or HPA axis dysfunction, chronic infections, environmental toxins/chemicals, food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, and estrogen dominance. Genetics also play a role in developing an autoimmune disease if someone in your family has had it. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll develop the disease, because your body has the ability to turn off bad genes and turn on good ones. Genes are influenced by your environment, such as your diet, toxins, stress, hormones, inflammation and more. When your body is overwhelmed with any of these triggers, the genes that predispose you to the disease are turned on.  

 

Although there are many autoimmune diseases – at the core they have a lot in common. They are characterized by a dysfunctional immune system that attacks your body’s tissues; and two different autoimmune diseases may be driven by the same root causes.  

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​Ayurveda and Autoimmunity

Ayurveda's view on autoimmunity is similar but there are differences, and the treatment approach is different. According to Ayurveda, autoimmune diseases are often the result of poor lifestyle choices, improper diet, and mental stress (just like the root causes mentioned above), which lead to imbalances. For example, if you consume foods that are incompatible with your constitution (Prakruti), have irregular mealtimes, or have chronic stress, it can disturb the body’s natural equilibrium, leading to autoimmune conditions. "Ama" is an Ayurvedic term that refers to toxins and/or undigested material in your body due to poor digestion. Ama clogs channels and disrupts normal tissue function; and over time, this ama build-up can trigger an autoimmune response. An Ayurvedic approach for autoimmune diseases will focus on eliminating ama through detoxification, improving digestion, and then strengthening the body’s immune system. This approach will differ for each person, because we are all unique and have unique constitutions (doshas).​

 

What You Can Do

If you're living with an autoimmune disease and seek a complementary approach to your health concerns, consider my Ayurvedic Wellness & Herbal Consultation. You could also visit my shop for all-natural herbal products, or join one of my yoga classes. ​

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Start taking care of your health today.​

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