Why is Autoimmunity on the Rise?

Over the last century, modern humans have drastically moved away from the way we have lived for thousands of years. While modernization has led to many advances and conveniences allowing us to live longer and healthier lives than ever before, there are consequences for this modernization: autoimmunity. 

What is Autoimmunity? 

In short, autoimmunity is what occurs when the immune system is unable to differentiate between foreign invaders like germs, allergens, viruses and the body’s tissues and cells. The resultant symptoms – fatigue, pain, neurological changes, and inflammation – are the hallmarks of a family of conditions commonly referred to as autoimmune disorders. 

Currently, there are 100 diseases that are categorized as autoimmune disorders, including: 

• Rheumatoid arthritis 
• Crohn’s disease 
•  Fibromyalgia 
• Celiac disease 
• Type 1 Diabetes 

Prevalence of Autoimmunity 

Autoimmune disorders affect approximately 8% of the general population, with new cases accounting for an increase of 4-7% each year. Autoimmune disorders are the third most commonly reported maladies, after heart disease and cancer. It is estimated that by 2030, 46 million more people will be diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder.

Causes of Autoimmunity 

While we know that autoimmunity is on the rise, the exact cause is still relatively unknown – due in large part to the multifactorial conditions that can trigger the onset of autoimmunity. There are several factors that can make an individual a likely candidate for developing an autoimmune disorder: 

• Genetics: Your family history may play a role in developing autoimmunity. For instance, if you have a “first degree” relative with the disease – a parent or a sibling – you have a 1 in 5 chance of receiving a similar diagnosis.
• Comorbidity: Many patients who have received a diagnosis of one autoimmune disorder will be diagnosed with another similar disorder. Comorbidity is one of the reasons that diagnosing patients with autoimmunity is challenging, because of the overlapping symptoms of multiple disorders. 
• Environmental Factors: While genetics and preexisting conditions may play a role in the development of autoimmunity, our modern lifestyle may “activate” the condition. For instance, a diet high in wheat and other processed grain products may lead some patients who have a genetic predisposition to develop celiac disease. 

Autoimmunity Intervention and Treatments 

When the immune system is functioning properly, it is able to distinguish between our healthy cells and “foreign invaders.” However, continued exposure to environmental influences can “flip the switch” and cause our immune systems to no longer be able to recognize healthy cells. While genetics are unavoidable, taking preventative steps to minimize our environmental risks to prevent autoimmunity from developing – or slowing the progression of existing disorders. 

• Focus on gut health. Make sure to eat probiotic and prebiotic foods, and take supplements when natural sources are scarce or unavailable. Take antibiotics only when absolutely necessary.
• Avoid using chemical household cleaners. Instead, opt for natural cleaning solutions, such as vinegar.
• Limit the use of or avoid chemically-based skin care products and cosmetics.
• Limit or avoid dairy, gluten, and high-sodium foods.

For more information about autoimmunity and to discuss prevention and treatment options, please feel free to schedule an appointment with Dr. Courtney Homberg, Naturopathic Doctor in Toronto, by calling 647-351-7282 today! 

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FUNDAMENTALS OF THE AUTOIMMUNE PROTOCOL

Millions of people around the world live with autoimmune disorders, which is why it’s so important that our understanding of these disorders continues to grow rapidly. A growing body of research suggests that chronic illness responds best to a multifaceted methodology of diet and lifestyle changes that include a focus on anti-inflammatory nutrition, moderate exercise, adequate and plentiful sleep, and reasonably reducing stress. 

This approach to managing autoimmune disease has been termed ‘the Autoimmune Protocol’ (AIP) and may be the key to successfully managing autoimmune disorder symptoms. Read More

PCOS: MAYBE SHE’S BORN WITH IT

PCOS is a medical condition that affects hormone levels in women, impacting 5%–20% of women of reproductive age worldwide and characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Women with PCO end up producing a higher amount of male hormones, like testosterone, and often experiencing resistance to the metabolic hormone, insulin. 

These imbalances can lead to issues with acne, and missed menstrual periods (impacting fertility), amongst other symptoms. The 2003 Rotterdam criteria are currently the internationally accepted criteria by which PCOS is diagnosed.  

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HOW SLEEP IMPACTS YOUR MICROBIOME

We all know that getting enough sleep is important. But how important? Sleep impacts our mental health, emotional health, and physical health. But with our busy lives and hectic schedules, it’s often easy to put a good night’s rest on the back burner.
Sometimes, even when we get into bed at a reasonable hour, we may not be able to fall asleep or stay asleep. However, recent research confirms continuous sleep deprivation can have more far-ranging consequences on health than we may have once realized, with negative impacts demonstrated on our intestinal microbiomes, immune system, insulin resistance and weight management, amongst a myriad of other health issues.

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THE GALLBLADDER HORMONE CONNECTION

We typically don’t give much thought to our gall bladder when we think about digestion, or hormones for that matter. While critical to more than just digesting fats, the importance of this tiny organ sitting tucked below our liver is often overlooked. Unless you’ve had gallstones or experienced some form of gallbladder disease, you might not even be aware of its function.​While originally thought to be a disorder brought on later in life by obesity and a high saturated fat diet, I’m seeing more and more young, thin and otherwise healthy women in my practice with disease of the gall bladder; from sludge to stones, to full cholecystectomy (removal) by the time they’re 30. This presents questions surrounding the variables causing gall disease and brings us back to their relationship to hormones.

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