Autoimmune got you down?
Has a doctor diagnosed you with an autoimmune disease? Are you confused over what that may mean? Are you suffering with no end in sight? Well, perhaps The James Clinic can help!
We have extensive knowledge of autoimmune diseases, what causes them, and how to treat them. Read on for more about autoimmune diseases, their relation to leaky gut, and what we can do to help.
What Is an Autoimmune Disease?
According to a 2020 review, “An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system produces autoantibodies against self-antigens, causing assault on body tissue.” In other words, your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks your healthy cells. There are many different types of autoimmune diseases. Some of the most common include:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Celiac Disease
- Psoriasis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Addison’s disease
- Graves’ disease
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Common symptoms of autoimmune diseases include:
- Fatigue
- Achiness in muscles and joints
- Low-grade fever
- Brain fog
- Swelling and redness
- Hair loss
- Numbness and tingling in your hands and feet
- Skin rashes
How Are Autoimmune Diseases and Leaky Gut Related?
A leaky gut is when your gastrointestinal tract (your stomach and intestines) has small holes that allow harmful elements through to the rest of the body. If this impairment is not addressed, it results in even larger holes over time. When there is a breach in your gastrointestinal tract by harmful elements, a series of events occur that cause your immune system to turn against you, resulting in various autoimmune diseases.
So, what can we do about that?
How We Can Help
We start the process by testing the gut. Our stool tests provide data on digestion, absorption of food, inflammation in the gut, and the microbiome (bacteria in the gut that affect many health parameters).
Once we know what we’re dealing with, we can start the five steps of healing the gut, significantly impacting autoimmune conditions. These five steps are:
- Remove
We use an elimination diet to get rid of the most triggering foods. We treat any signs of infection or overgrowth of bacteria in the gut.
- Replace
Our bodies need adequate gastric-acid digestive enzymes to break down our food. If there are signs of deficiency, we replace what is missing.
Medications such as proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole and pantoprazole) create an acid deficiency in the stomach and drive the inflammatory process in the gut. Never stop them without a doctor reviewing your medical conditions.
- Repair
The damaged gut needs nutrients to repair itself. We use natural, plant-based juices and glutamine-based supplements to expedite this process. Patients notice a significant improvement in about two weeks under optimal conditions.
- Re-inoculate
The microbiome of the gut outnumbers our body’s cells 100:1. We need a diversity of bacteria and yeast to support the processes in the gut. We can accomplish this by using probiotics, prebiotics, and fermented foods, like kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
- Rebalance
Life affects the gut. Each of us may be able to recall a time when stress has led to an overactive gastrointestinal tract. It’s necessary to reduce stress, slow down, and transition to a calmer state to maintain progress.
Autoimmune Diseases and Leaky Gut: A Recap
Autoimmune diseases can present themselves in many ways. However, one thing many autoimmune diseases have in common is that they are made worse by a leaky gut.
A leaky gut is when there are holes in the epithelial lining in your gastrointestinal tract. This impairment allows harmful elements to access other parts of your body. It sets off a series of events that cause your immune system to turn against your body. In other words, it triggers an autoimmune response, which results in some of the symptoms mentioned earlier in this blog.
We must treat leaky gut to treat these symptoms, as it’s the root of many of your problems. Our treatment is a five-step process:
- Remove
- Replace
- Repair
- Re-inoculate
- Rebalance
With these five steps, you’ll be feeling significantly better in no time!
Treat Autoimmune Diseases and Leaky Gut with The James Clinic
No matter the underlying autoimmune disease, we can improve it by working on gut health and reducing inflammation. At The James Clinic, we can help regulate your gut and treat the various symptoms that can encompass autoimmune diseases and leaky gut. For more information about our services or to request a consult, visit our website today. We’re here to help!