At their core, they have one thing in common: an out-of-control immune response, linked with systemic inflammation. The right diet can help ease pain and heal autoimmune diseases. In general, avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugar, grains, dairy and red meat, and focus on fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and fish.
People who are around certain things in the environment — Certain events or environmental exposures may cause some autoimmune diseases, or make them worse. Sunlight, chemicals called solvents, and viral and bacterial infections are linked to many autoimmune diseases.
Doing little things like moving around, cooking, or going for a walk can be a great way to create a specific routine that will help you to cope with the disease you have. Keep in mind that the goals may be different depending on the autoimmune disorder you have.
Avoid things that increase inflammation, such as sugar, trans-fat, alcohol, and smoking. Focus on things that decrease inflammation, like regular low-intensity exercise and foods such as coconut oil, avocados, olives, vegetables, herbs, salmon and sardines.
Antioxidant foods: Berries, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, cruciferous vegetables (kale, cabbage, etc.), beans, tomatoes and beets. Omega-3 fatty acids: Olive oil, fish oil, flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts or soybeans. These help reduce inflammation and the need for pain meds.
Some of the foods to avoid that are known to affect the immune system in people with autoimmune diseases include: Nightshade vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants. Grains like wheat, rice, oats, rye, barley, and foods made from grains such as breakfast cereals, bread, pasta.
Most autoimmune diseases cause inflammation. But the symptoms they cause depend on the body parts affected. You can have pain in your joints or muscles. Or you may experience skin rashes, fevers, or fatigue.
However, eggs also contain proteins and cholesterol, containing pro-inflammatory properties. Moreover, some egg proteins are also prone to molecular mimicry, appearing as harmful foreign substances. Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and other nightshade vegetables are off-limits for patients with autoimmune disease.
Avoid high doses of vitamin C, beta carotene, cat's claw, echinacea and ginseng, among others. Why add fuel to the fire? Doing so may cause you to slip out of remission and into more misery.
Like Blair, Christina Applegate has MS. Zoe Saldana and Gigi Hadid have Hashimoto's disease. Selena Gomez has lupus, Venus Williams has Sjögren's syndrome, Missy Elliott has Graves' disease, and Lady Gaga has fibromyalgia.
As far as controllable factors, it seems that cow's milk is, by far, the food most commonly linked to autoimmune disease. I suggest to my patients that they avoid cow's milk products in all their forms.
To this end, these studies have found that coffee intake can reduce the risk of Rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune thyroid disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, autoimmune liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Living with an autoimmune disease can be complicated. Diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis are complex and serious. Although there are no cures for these diseases, many of their symptoms can be treated, and sometimes they go into remission.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Based on research to date, having RA may decrease life expectancy by a decade or more. RA is one of a number of autoimmune disorders called rheumatic diseases, or musculoskeletal conditions marked by inflammation.
Most autoimmune disorders are not fatal. People can live full lives with a typical life expectancy. Your potential lifespan and your quality of life will depend, though, on getting the right kind of medical care. Many of these disorders can be managed with medication that alleviates symptoms.
Try not to make grains or legumes the focus of your diet. Those with autoimmune diseases would be wise to omit grains, pseudograins, legumes, and nightshades completely. Avoid nuts and seeds as well, which can be inflammatory.
Abstain from Eggs
Eggs can allow proteins (usually lysozyme, from the egg white) to cross the gut barrier where they don't belong and contribute to molecular mimicry. This is when antibodies form against not just foreign protein but also the normal protein in your body, as if it too is foreign.
Choose low-impact exercises.
Consider exercises like walking on the treadmill, yoga, Pilates, weight training, low-impact circuit training and swimming. Add in cardio and aerobics which fit your ability levels such as rowing, stationary bike or outdoor cycling, step climbing, elliptical and dance.
When it comes to foods that can help you manage your autoimmune disease, all berries make the list. Adding blueberries to oatmeal or topping your next spinach salad with strawberries will provide your body with important prebiotic fiber and act as an antioxidant.
The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet for Detox
This way of eating encourages the consumption of nutrient-dense foods, such as approved vegetables and fruits, minimally processed meats, and bone broth, while excluding potential irritants like grains, legumes, nightshade vegetables, and processed oils.