Self help for autoimmune
We are all created with a perfect immune system which works for us and then suddenly it works against us. We can comfortably say how this happens. So what can you do to help yourself at home in between TICM treatments?
Are your hormones balanced?
The human body is governed in part by some-50 hormones, carrying out a multitude of different tasks. When hormones are out of balance or compromised, the fallout can be huge, and oftentimes may lead to or exacerbate existing autoimmune disease. While it’s important to make sure our hormones are fluctuating within normal ranges for day-to-day health, keeping a close and considered eye on any imbalances can help to reduce the severity of any autoimmune disease.
Are your eosinophils and basophils are the correct levels?
Another good way to discover any triggers to autoimmune conditions in the body is through IgG testing - which is a measure of antibodies (immunoglobulins) in the blood.
Heal your gut
Your digestive tract is actually your first line of defense against many autoimmune conditions, so it’s important to make sure everything is in working order. Your digestive tract lining similar to your outer skin in the sense that it acts as a barrier that protects your blood and inner tissues against undesirable substances in your environment. Once the lining of your digestive tract begins to break down, if your genetic programming allows for it, you will begin to experience the antigen-antibody complex formation that occurs whenever incompletely digested protein leaks through your damaged digestive tract into your blood. The same goes for exogenous toxins like synthetic chemicals found in cosmetic products. If you are suffering from an autoimmune condition, chances are good that your digestive tract is not as healthy as it can be, and that the effects of "leaky gut syndrome" and the formation of antigen-antibody complexes are contributing to your current symptoms. So make this your motivation to get your digestion in order. If you're unsure where to begin, make probiotics and fermented foods using my easy recipes.
Sleep well
A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things for our overall health and wellbeing. Of course, it’s not going to heal a chronic autoimmune disease overnight, but it will help to reduce the severity of symptoms (ongoing fatigue, digestive issues, energy slumps) and give the body a chance to heal. Our body exists in two states; the sympathetic nervous system (a natural stress response) and the parasympathetic nervous system (returning to homeostasis). When in the parasympathetic nervous system, our body is able to redirect energy that is used in response to a stressful stimulus to providing the body with all it needs to heal. As it turns out, one of the best, easiest, and most effective ways to trigger this system is with a decent night’s sleep. Now that you’re out of excuses, find a routine that works for you, and get that desperately needed shuteye.
Address pre-existing conditions
The body is a complex organism, made up of many complex systems, and everything needs to be going exactly right at any given moment for us to be healthy. Sometimes, however, not everything goes according to plan. All it takes is one tiny thing to go wrong to cascade into disease, especially autoimmune conditions, and these can often exist (in)harmoniously within the body. So for example, someone with hypothyroidism may also struggle with SIBO, and the two conditions feed off on one another. For specific applications of this approach, or to discover any underlying issues, it’s best to work one-on-one with a qualified holistic practitioner or health coach. See previous posts on SIBO.
Manage stress
Living with an autoimmune condition, no matter what it is in nature, can be a stressful, upsetting, and anxiety-inducing experience. And the chronic stress this puts us under is even more of a threat to our overall health and wellbeing. By taking simple steps to manage any stress associated with states of illness, we can begin to focus our energy on healing and managing the disease. Some of my favorite stress management techniques include Salaah, mediation and mindfulness, qi gong and conscious exercise.
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