Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. Normally, the immune system protects us from infections and diseases by recognizing pathogens like viruses and bacteria. However, in people with autoimmune diseases, the immune system becomes confused and targets the body’s own cells as if they were threats. This can lead to inflammation, pain, and damage to various organs or tissues.
There are more than 100 different autoimmune diseases. They can affect almost any tissue or organ in your body, depending on where your immune system malfunctions. These include disorders like Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, Hashimoto’s or Graves thyroiditis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Raynaud’s, type one diabetes, psoriasis, celiac disease, scleroderma, etc.
The exact cause of autoimmune diseases is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and infections. Alarmingly, the prevalence of autoimmune disease is increasing and it is increasing fast. Data indicates that autoimmune diseases affect approximately 50 million Americans. However, this number is likely an underestimate. Autoimmunity is reaching epidemic levels, with some studies estimating an increase of 3-12% annually.
Here are some numbers to consider:
- Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), the most common marker of autoimmunity, doubled between 1988-2012. In the same study, the prevalence of ANA among adolescents increased nearly 300%.
- The prevalence of type 1 diabetes has nearly doubled in the past 40 years in the adult population.
- Celiac disease in the U.S. is five times higher than it was 30 years ago.
- The estimated number of people with multiple sclerosis worldwide increased 30% from 2013-2022.
- Between 2006 to 2021, the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increased 46%.
This increase is happening all over the world. The underlying reasons for this are not fully understood. Genetic predispositions undoubtedly play a role, but don’t explain the dramatic increase. Environmental factors (infections including Epstein-Barr and Covid, pollutants, medications, toxins, heavy metals, Microbiome health) and lifestyle factors (diet, food sensitivities, sleep deprivation, stress, and lack of physical activity) all likely play a role.
Inadequate understanding and diagnostic testing means that autoimmune patients on average visit four different providers over 4.5 years before receiving a diagnosis. And once they have a diagnosis, management primarily includes steroid treatment and immunosuppressant drugs.
Precisely because there are no cures for autoimmune disease, I believe there is a vital role for functional medicine to play. Medications can be helpful and important for many patients, but so is identifying underlying triggers of inflammation and abnormal immune responses.
Below is a functional medicine approach to autoimmune disease:
- Identify possible triggers of inflammation and autoimmune activity: stress, diet, infection, environmental toxins, etc.
- Assess gut health, food sensitivities, and potential nutritional deficiencies
- Decrease inflammation
- Consider treating underlying infections
- Support detoxification of heavy metals, pollutants, and other toxins if necessary
- Hormone balancing (adrenal function, estrogen/progesterone ratio
- Support restful sleep and stress management
- Targeted supplementation
- Physical activity and exercise
- Treat underlying health issues (reverse insulin resistance, lower cholesterol/triglycerides, etc.)
Interested in discussing or testing for autoimmune conditions? Schedule a virtual appointment with Dr. Ilana Goldberg here:
