You should avoid immune-stimulating supplements like Echinacea, Spirulina, Ashwagandha, Elderberry, Alfalfa, and Chlorella, as they can worsen autoimmune flares by overactivating the immune system; also be cautious with high-dose Vitamin E, excessive Iodine for thyroid issues, and St. John's Wort for MS due to drug interactions, always consulting a doctor before starting any supplement.
Some triggers may include:
Taking vitamin D is recommended because vitamin D plays a role in immune regulation and may help reduce autoimmune activity. Many people with autoimmune diseases are deficient in this vitamin, and I am one of them. Eat more foods with omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fish, nuts, seeds, and plant oils.
The "worst" autoimmune diseases are subjective but often cited for severity, impact on life expectancy, or organ damage, with top contenders including Giant Cell Myocarditis (highly fatal), Vasculitis (damages blood vessels), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) (multi-organ), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (nervous system), and Type 1 Diabetes (pancreas, life-long management). Other severe conditions include Scleroderma and Myasthenia Gravis.
Ways diet can help improve your condition
Echinacea stimulates macrophages and cytokine production and has been linked to disease flares, as seen in cases of pemphigus vulgaris. Alfalfa, which contains L-canavine, has triggered lupus-like symptoms in animal studies and can provoke autoimmune responses, especially at higher doses.
And although there are more than 80 different types of autoimmune diseases, they all have three things in common: The immune system is attacking healthy cells. The cause of the disease is unknown. There is no cure.
Common symptoms of autoimmune disease include:
If you have a positive ANA test, an ENA test can check the blood for the presence of antinuclear antibodies that are known to be markers of certain diseases. The ENA test can help your health care team and your rheumatologist diagnose autoimmune diseases such as: Lupus.
Dietary interventions using whole plant-based foods, particularly foods rich in prebiotics (i.e., cereal grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables),113–115 possibly accompanied by customized medically supervised fasting,116–118 may help control and limit symptoms for certain autoimmune conditions and lessen or eliminate ...
Capsules of omega-3 fatty acids show some of the best evidence as anti-inflammatories.
Natural immunosuppressant compounds, derived from plant sources like curcumin, luteolin, piperine, resveratrol are known to inhibit the production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
Green tea
Green tea is a great supportive herb for autoimmune conditions as it contains catechins, notably epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), with strong anti-inflammatory properties. Studies suggest green tea may help reduce inflammation and improve immune function, potentially benefiting autoimmune diseases.
Book an appointment with an autoimmune dietitian
Five signs of a weak immune system include frequent infections, slow-healing wounds, persistent fatigue, ongoing digestive issues, and getting sick with things that last a long time, like a cold that lingers or severe infections requiring strong treatment. These indicate your body struggles to fight off pathogens or repair itself effectively.
The first step in an autoimmune reset is eliminating foods that commonly trigger inflammation or immune responses, including:
A positive result on an ANA test means that antinuclear antibodies were found in your blood. A positive result may be a sign of: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) A different type of autoimmune disease.
Patients experiencing chronic fatigue related to autoimmune conditions often describe their symptoms as more than just feeling tired during the day. This is significant exhaustion that impacts quality of life and makes it difficult to function on a normal basis.
Treatment for autoimmune disorders
Autoimmune diseases can affect people of all ages. While they are more common in adults during their reproductive years (20-40), some autoimmune diseases can appear in childhood. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving the lives of children and teens living with these conditions.
Here are some specialists who treat autoimmune diseases:
Early warning signs of lupus often include extreme fatigue, unexplained fever, joint pain/swelling, skin rashes (especially a butterfly-shaped one on the face), hair loss, mouth sores, and Raynaud's phenomenon (fingers/toes turning white or blue in the cold). Because these symptoms mimic other conditions, lupus can be hard to diagnose early, but they often come in waves (flares) and affect various body systems.
For patients with autoimmune diseases that don't respond to conventional treatments, cellular therapy offers a new sense of hope. Whether through a stem cell transplant or emerging CAR T-cell therapies, these treatments are designed to do more than manage symptoms; they aim to reset the immune system itself.
Nevertheless, the onset of at least 50% of autoimmune disorders has been attributed to “unknown trigger factors”. Physical and psychological stress has been implicated in the development of autoimmune disease, since numerous animal and human studies demonstrated the effect of sundry stressors on immune function.
Autoimmune diseases happen when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own healthy tissues, but the exact cause is unknown; it's believed to be a mix of genetic predisposition, environmental triggers like infections (viruses, bacteria), certain medications, smoking, toxins, diet, and hormonal factors (women are more affected), leading to "rogue" immune cells attacking the body instead of fighting invaders.