The Rise in Autoimmunity

Autoimmunity is a mysterious illness that leads the immune system to overreact and begin attacking its own tissues in the absence of a foreign invader. One hypothesis is that in our over-sanitized and antibiotic-ridden society, our immune systems are “bored” and hence the dramatic increase in allergies, sensitivities, and autoimmunity. There are a variety of autoimmune diseases, most of which have overlapping symptoms and a lack of straight-forward solutions. Autoimmunity has almost become a catch-all term for diseases with high inflammatory markers and no singular root cause (i.e. a bacterial or viral pathogen). Autoimmune diseases range from eczema to celiac disease to rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and a microbiome lacking diversity are all environmental factors thought to trigger autoimmunity in genetically susceptible individuals. Current medications and treatments are often immunosuppressant drugs, like steroids, that come with an entire host of other side effects and rarely, if not never, address the root cause of this complex disease.

Part of the reason that the root cause cannot be addressed, though, is that it is unknown. A hypothesis that is rapidly gaining popularity is the idea that stress, antibiotics, environmental toxins, pesticides, and gluten irritate the lining of our guts, leading to intestinal permeability, which allows foreign substances to leak out, wreaking havoc and creating inflammation in numerous organ systems. Our guts are hosts to trillions of bacteria that greatly influence our biology. There is an incredibly diverse variety of species occupying the gut. Ideally, 85% are good and helpful guests. This isn’t always the case, and can be seen in SIBO, obesity, diabetes, and more. With the microbiome being so linked to mental health, diet, and hormones, it can be hard to know which angle to begin attacking the problem. Which bacteria in the gut does someone need more of? How can we guarantee this species will assimilate and populate in the gut?

Western medicine doctors do not have FDA backing for many potential treatments, nor do we have the intensity and number of clinical studies and research to prescribe medication. Western medicine has rigorous testing standards. Many tests used to clinically diagnose autoimmunity require such high levels of certain inflammatory markers that the disease has been brewing and has already progressed so far in the patient. Many patients live with irritable symptoms that aren’t clinically high enough to require medicine for years (which reminds me of a good topic to write about another week which is the sexism of “hysterical” women that persists even today). The flaws of Western medicine can clearly be seen in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, as fear of liability and slow FDA approval time leaves patients miserable and hopeless.

Holistic, naturopathic, and Eastern medicine, in their ultimate goal to do no harm, suggest lifestyle and diet changes alongside gentler herbal antidotes. However, many patients want a quick fix, an easy solution, so they can continue living their sedentary, sugar-laden lives. As a society, we have gotten so used to constant comfort that the mere thought of discomfort seems unbelievable and despicable. God forbid I have to get my heart rate up for 20 minutes a day. Isn’t there some machine that will work my muscles and heart for me?

Sometimes I wonder if the problem isn’t simply agricultural produce lacking nutrients because of poorly treated soil and pesticide use. It isn’t hidden added sugar, blue light, sedentary lifestyles, etc. … Well it is… but many of these issues seem to stem from our comfort and distraction addiction and our need for instant gratification. So my question is how could our society possibly give up all the luxuries we have become so accustomed to, in order to stop destroying the earth and to stop trashing our bodies?

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