Autoimmune Diseases: Allowed And Prohibited Foods

Food plays a fundamental role. Therefore, a correct eating plan is recommended for people with autoimmune diseases.

This plan, known as the “autoimmune protocol,” will help relieve discomfort. In addition, as it is perfectly healthy, it is recommended for anyone.

We’ll tell you then

Autoimmune diseases

The immune system protects us from disease and infection. However, it can sometimes attack healthy cells in the body. In these cases, we speak of the so-called autoimmune diseases, in which it is the immune system itself that acts  as an aggressor.

Unfortunately, the causes of these diseases are unknown. However, it seems that they tend to be hereditary and that intestinal permeability plays an important role in them.

The intestine is, by nature, semi-permeable, allowing the absorption of nutrients and blocking the absorption of elements that are harmful to the body. However, when this permeability is impaired for various reasons, the immune system can be disrupted as well. In that case, it could lead to inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

In general, these diseases can be chronic or remit and appear with more or less acute symptoms for periods of time. That is, they do not follow a certain pattern, and it depends on the person.

On the other hand, the same happens with the symptoms, which are very varied. From fever or headache to fatigue and tiredness … However, there is a typical and characteristic one, inflammation.

Therefore, due to the variety of diseases, causes, courses and symptoms, the treatment will depend on each person and the autoimmune disease diagnosed.

More than 80 of these diseases are known. Some of the best known are:

• Celiac Disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Autoimmune hepatysis
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Guillain Barre syndrome
• Headaches

Diagnosis

Diagnosing an autoimmune disease is not easy. It is a long process and, many times, really stressful. Because most symptoms are common to various autoimmune diseases and other general health problems, it usually takes a long time for specialists to be able to diagnose them.

In the case of celiac disease, for example, even the patient himself can confuse the symptoms with a certain intolerance to certain foods. However, it is not an intolerance: celiac disease is a chronic disease.

On the other hand, since they can be due to numerous causes and the diseases that are included are many and different, it is even difficult to establish which specialist to go to. Gastroenterologist? Dermatologist? Endocrinologist? Make a list of your symptoms, it will help you determine it.

In addition, as varied as the symptoms and diseases are the medical tests for its diagnosis. Therefore, we can find blood tests, antibody tests, etc.

At this point, it is important to emphasize that the patient should not give up if this is a slow and stressful process. Indeed, reaching a diagnosis is not easy, not even for the health specialist. However, remember that if you have symptoms, you must know the causes that cause them in order to have a better quality of life.

The autoimmune protocol

The  “autoimmune protocol”  is a set of dietary guidelines for people with autoimmune diseases. However, because it consists of a healthy diet, it  is suitable for everyone.

In fact, it shares many of the principles of the Paleo Diet, albeit with variations. Therefore, he advises against foods such as:

• Cereals
• Vegetables
• Dairy products
• Added sugars

In addition, it also eliminates other foods  that can inflame the digestive system. These potentially irritating foods are:

• Eggs
• Nuts
• Artificial sweeteners
• Alcoholic drinks
• Some spices
• Coffee
• Cocoa

However, these foods are only eliminated at the beginning. That is, as we progress with the protocol,  the intestinal permeability syndrome will improve . Thus, little by little, they will be included again.

In addition, in this way, we can observe the reactions that each one causes.

Forbidden food”

Generally speaking, the foods that are not recommended are those that we consider unhealthy. In other words, we are referring mainly to processed foods, high in calories or of little nutritional value.

Although they are frequent in the diet, their consumption is usually very harmful in these cases, especially because they affect the increase in inflammation. For that reason, among the “prohibited”, we find:

• Snacks and industrial processes. That is, trans fats are discouraged.
• Meat products such as cold cuts, minced meat or cold cuts. On the other hand, it is better to consume meat from animals that graze freely.

• Fish such as tuna or salmon, which contain many heavy metals. In addition, in relation to fish, the consumption of wild fish is better and not those from fish farms.
• Fritos. Indeed, they can irritate the digestive system. Therefore, it is better to add raw oils.
• Preservatives and colorants. Look closely at the labels as these additives can alter the digestive system.
• Gluten. We are obliged to mention it again. Gluten seems to be able to affect and inflame some areas of the brain. In this sense, it is associated with various autoimmune disorders.

Recommended foods

In general, the recommended foods are those rich in carbohydrates. However, they should not contain gluten, which can be quite irritating as indicated.

In this sense, recommended products would be potatoes, cassava, sweet potatoes, etc. Not only are these foods easy to digest, it is also not difficult to incorporate them into meals. Indeed, they are very versatile and we can add them to soups, cream, salads, etc.

On the other hand, foods rich in healthy fats are also recommended . In particular, the Omega 3 and Omega 6 in these foods are essential for health. In addition, they act as powerful anti-inflammatories. In this sense, its consumption is recommended to people with autoimmune diseases.

Among these foods we can mention avocado, blue fish, seeds and vegetable oils.

However, in relation to oils, we must insist that they should be added raw to meals. Fried and cooked oils are not as healthy and are not considered in the autoimmune protocol.

Other foods and habits that can help you

Other foods

There are other foods and / or ingredients that seem to help people with autoimmune diseases.

Among them, we can highlight:

• Saffron. It is an immunomodulator used to treat some autoimmune diseases.
• Cinnamon. One of its components, sodium benzoate, appears to be effective in treating multiple sclerosis.
• Green tea. Known for its many properties, it helps regulate immune function. Therefore, it is recommended for people with these diseases.

As can be seen, these are products that help balance the intestinal flora and immune function. In this way, the permeability will improve, the immune system will work better and, therefore, they will help to alleviate the symptoms.

Bad habits

Finally, we must point out some bad habits that could increase the chances of developing autoimmune diseases. These are bad practices that, in general, affect our health and its balance. Therefore, factors that could potentially contribute to the appearance of these diseases are considered.

Among them, we highlight:

• Tobacco
• Lack of physical exercise. Physical exercise is key to the proper functioning of our body and the immune system.
• Bad nutrition. As we have seen previously, a poor diet can contribute to intestinal permeability.
• Obesity
• Stress. Especially the chronic one, it supposes an emotional but also physiological imbalance. In this sense, it can be a trigger for autoimmune diseases.
• Alcohol consumption
• Lack of vitamin D. It is an essential vitamin for the proper functioning of the immune system.

Finally, we must remember that your doctor will be the one who guides you towards an effective remedy for the disease or, at least, its symptoms. Together you can get them to refer and improve your quality of life.

Start, however, by adopting a healthy lifestyle. It is sure that it will have a positive impact on your disease or, at least, help prevent it and mitigate the symptoms.

Do not give up!