An autoimmune disease involves the immune system mistakenly attacking your own body.  The immune system is producing antibodies against normal parts of the body as if they were foreign substances.  Generally, doctors and scientists have been puzzled by what would cause your body to start attacking itself.  Though some specific autoimmune diseases are quite rare, as a group they affect millions.  Most autoimmune diseases affect women more than men, usually women of childbearing age.  Some autoimmune diseases are initiated by factors such as viral infections.  Other factors include aging, chronic stress, hormones, and pregnancy.

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE EXAMPLES

Nervous System

            Multiple Sclerosis

            Myasthenia gravis

            Guillain-Barre

            Autoimmune uveitis

Gastrointestinal System

            Crohn’s Disease

            Ulcerative colitis

            Primary biliary cirrhosis

            Autoimmune hepatitis

Blood and Blood Vessels

            Hemolytic anemia

            Thrombocytopenia

            Pernicious anemia

            Temporal arteritis

Skin

            Psoriasis

            Dermatitis herpetiformis

            Pemphigus vulgaris

            Vitiligo

Endocrine Glands

            Type I Diabetes

            Grave’s Disease

            Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

            Addison’s Disease

Multiple Organs

            Rheumatoid arthritis

            Systemic lupus erythematosus

            Scleroderma

            Polymyositis

            Ankylosing spondylitis

            Sjogren’s syndrome

IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNCTION

            Immune function revolves around the body’s response to foreign proteins (or perceived foreign proteins) called antigens to which the immune system makes antibodies.  There are a number of types of white blood cells involved in the immune response.  T Lymphocytes destroy infected cells and coordinate the response of the immune system overall.  B Lymphocytes make antibodies, which attach to antigens, marking them for destruction by other white blood cells.

            Macrophages (lit. “big eaters”) and neutrophils circulate in the blood stream looking for foreign invaders.  Upon discovering antigens, they surround and eat them.  The downside of this process is that to destroy the foreign antigens, toxic molecules are made that can destroy surrounding tissue or produce inflammation, as in the case of arthritis.

            B Lymphocyte cells make antibodies after receiving instruction from the T cells.  In some autoimmune diseases the B cells mistakenly make antibodies against tissues of the body called self antigens instead of against foreign antigens.  There is a lot of highly technical information available on this functioning and malfunctioning of the immune system.  Conventional medicine has little explanation for autoimmune disease and generally just prescribes symptom-oriented treatments.

ROOT CAUSES

            Many natural medicine practitioners believe that autoimmune diseases are primarily triggered by excess toxicity in the body.  This could take many forms:  chemical, dental mercury, parasitic, bacterial, viral, fungal, etc.  The point is simply that there’s more toxicity than the body can properly handle.  As we go through life, we tend to accumulate toxicity.  Of course, with the right kind of diet, supplementation, fasting, exercise, and other modalities we stimulate an ongoing detoxification of our bodies.  Absent those detoxififying habits, though, the toxins keep building up.  At some point we sort of reach “critical mass” and our immune system goes haywire.  It may not be any particularly dramatic assault on our immune system, but more of a “straw that broke the camel’s back.”  In any event, your body begins to have autoimmune reactions.  The type of autoimmune disease that might develop probably depends on where you’re hereditarily or otherwise weakest — the chain breaks at it’s weakest link.

COMMON AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis — The immune system attacks the snyovium, the capsule around the joint producing inflammation, pain, stiffness and destruction and ultimate fusion of the joint  (See Better Health Update #22).  Conventional medicine approach is anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs.
2. Multiple Sclerosis — MS involves the immune system attacking the nervous system, specifically the myelin sheath around the nerves.  The myelin is analogous to insulation wrapped around electrical wiring.  In MS, this “insulation” is chipped away, resulting in “short circuits.”  Like many autoimmune diseases, MS is characterized by periods of remission when symptoms may not be too bad.  Overall the disease tends to affect speech and movement, such that advanced cases are often wheelchair-bound.
3. Type I Diabetes — Also known as “juvenile onset” diabetes, this disease results from autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.  This and the non-autoimmune type of diabetes (Type II), are the leading causes of kidney damage, loss of sight and leg amputation.
4. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases — This term encompasses both Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.  Crohn’s normally involves the destruction of small intestine tissue, resulting in surgical removal of portions of the small intestine in extreme cases.  High doses of corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are used to control symptoms, which may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and pain. Ulcerative colitis involves inflammation of the large intestine, again involving surgical removal in extreme cases.
5. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus — Lupus is a connective tissue disorder with similarities to rheumatoid arthritis.  Fatigue, rashes, and joint pains, as well as damage to the kidneys, brain, or lungs is common.  Sunlight exposure can trigger or worsen lupus.  Women, particularly black women, most often develop this disease.  Corticosteroid drugs are used to control symptoms.
6. Psoriasis — This skin disease produces patches or large areas of red scales called plaques.  Conventional treatments focus on topical medications to relieve itching, inflammation and scaling.  From a natural medicine point-of-view, food allergic sensitivities, candidiasis, and B vitamin deficiencies are often root causes.  (See Better Health Update #45.)
7. Scleroderma — Thickening of the skin and blood vessels comprise the primary symptoms.  This can result in loss of movement and shortness of breath.  Most scleroderma sufferers also have Raynaud’s Phenomenon, which involves spasming of the blood vessels of fingers and toes, resulting in increased sensitivity to cold.
8. Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases — Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Grave’s Disease are caused by autoimmune reactions to the thyroid.  In Hashimoto’s Disease the body becomes allergic to thyroid hormone with lymphatic infiltration into the thyroid.  This results in hypothyroidism.  Grave’s Disease is a hyperthyroid condition usually indicated by goiter and protruding eyeballs.  (See Better Health Update #34.)
9. Sjogren’s Syndrome — The autoimmune reaction here is against the body’s moisture producing glands.  Minor symptoms include dry eyes and mouth, while more severe symptoms include blurred vision, eye discomfort, recurrent mouth infections, swollen parotid glands, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and eating.  Sjogren’s may also cause skin, nose and vaginal dryness and produce severe fatigue and joint pain.  Kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, brain and blood vessel damage may also result.  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the primary conventional treatments.
10. Interstitial Cystitis — Inflammation of the bladder occurs without positive tests for urinary tract infection.  Symptoms include bladder spasms and pain, bladder frequency, low bladder capacity, and incontinence.  This can occur by itself or in connection with other autoimmune diseases, such as scleroderma, lupus, or Sjogren’s.

NATURAL MEDICINE APPROACHES

            Since I began with the premise that autoimmune disease is the eventual result of cumulative toxicity in the body, it follows that detoxification would be perhaps the most useful healing approach.  Likewise, most approaches will focus on general remedies, rather than very specific ones.  Here are some suggestions:

DIETARY

1. Detoxifiying Diet — See 7 Day Cleansing Diet in Better Health Update #15.  This could be repeated every couple of months.
2. Natural Food Diet — Basic healthy eating guidelines should be adhered to, including no refined sugar or flour, no synthetic food additives, no plain cow’s milk, lots of fruits and vegetables, and low red meat intake.

DENTAL

           Due to the persistent linkages between dental toxicities and autoimmune diseases, including MS, this should be a major area of attention.

1. Replace amalgam fillings — See Better Health Update #4 for more information.  Only go to a dentist specially trained in proper mercury amalgam removal and detoxification procedures, lest you make the problem worse.   A list for Washington State is available from our clinic.
2. Pull root canal teeth — The dentists we work with are concerned that “embalmed teeth” present a significant toxicity and health hazard.  Consult with a knowledgeable dentist  on this subject.
3. Clean out cavitations — Cavitations are the hole that’s left when a tooth is pulled.  Inadequate removal of periodontal ligaments can provide a place for bacteria to fester, unreachable by the immune system.  Again, see a dentist who works in this area.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

1. Buffered Vitamin C — The non-acidic, ascorbate form of vitamin C generally tests best.  This is a detoxifier, an anti-inflammatory and encourages a healthy immune system.
2. Emulsified Vitamin A — This form of Vitamin A does not as readily build-up in the liver.  Again, it’s a key immune system ingredient.
3. Homeopathic Anti-Inflammatories — For rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases using anti-inflammatory drugs, homeopathic combinations for inflammation or single remedies like Rhus Tox should be tested for compatibility.
4. Enzyme Anti-Inflammatories — Proteolytic enzymes like bromelain, papain, S.O.D. and others may also have a helpful anti-inflammatory effect when taken on an empty stomach.
5. DHEA — In addition to having anti-inflammatory and immune system properties, DHEA is believed to have a detoxifying effect on the corticosteroid drugs used with many autoimmune diseases.
6. Cetyl Myristoleate — This is a fatty acid which occurs in a few species of mammals — mammals that don’t get arthritis. It may increase the lubrication and resilience of cartilage or other tissues — it’s been described as a “WD-40 for the joints.”  CM is also an immune system modulator and has been effective with lupus, MS, and inflammatory conditions.  It may stimulate immunoglobulins.  The third mechanism of action of CM relates to it’s anti-inflammatory effect, resulting from regulation of short-acting local hormones involved in the inflammatory response called prostaglandins.  Though it’s an expensive supplement, testing at the clinic for compatibility is highly recommended.

Better Health Update is published by Pacific Health Center, PO Box 1066, Sisters, Oregon 97759, Phone (800) 255–4246 with branch clinics in Boise, Idaho, Post Falls, Idaho and Portland, Oregon.  E-Mail:  drkline@pacifichealthcenter.com.   Monte Kline, Clinical Nutritionist, Author.  Reproduction Prohibited.

DISCLAIMER:  The information contained in this publication is for educational purposes only.  It is not intended to diagnose illness nor prescribe treatment.  Rather, this material  is designed to be used in cooperation with your nutritionally-oriented health professional to deal with your personal health problems.  Should you use this information on your own, you are prescribing for yourself, which is your constitutional right, but neither the author nor publisher assume responsibility.