A Natural Health Approach to AutoImmune Disease
Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissue normally present in the body. In other words, the body attacks its own cells.
There are a large number of autoimmune diseases (or immune-mediated diseases). The type of disease depends on the target cell attacked by the immune system. The following are some of the more common ones:
Ankylosing spondylitis, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, autoimmune hepatitis, coeliac disease, dermatomyositis, diabetes mellitus type I, Hashimoto’s disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, lupus erythematosis, multiple sclerosis, pernicious anaemia, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome and temporal arteritis.
A Natural Health Approach to the Management of AutomImmune Disease
The following is a protocol for the management of autoimmune disease using a natural health approach. It can be used alone or in combination with the orthodox medical approach which is based mainly on the use of various medications. These drugs either suppress, or slow down, the overactive immune system or replace the substance not produced, for example, thyroid hormone in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
· Acid/alkali balance
The ideal diet should be 75-80% alkali-forming foods. The reasons for this are detailed my September 2005 newsletter ‘Acid/Alkali Balance- The ideal diet’. All animal foods are acid-forming, including dairy foods (milk and milk products and cheese) and eggs. Cereal grains, especially when refined (such as white wheat flour and white rice) are also acid-forming.
· Vegan diet
To meet the requirement of 75-80% alkali-forming foods, the ideal way is to have a vegan diet. This diet excludes all animal foods in all forms. However, it is necessary to exclude from this diet the foods that have little or no nutrient value.
· High nutrient diet
Many vegan foods have low nutrient value and tend to be high in calories/kilojoules. Sugar is a perfect example of this, as are all refined carbohydrates (white flour etc.). Fruits and vegetables, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds are high nutrient foods. The diet should be rich in greens and rich in cruciferous vegetables.
These are an excellent way to obtain concentrated nutrients. In answering the question “Why juice?” in Chapter 8 of my book ‘How to Live to 100+ Years Free from Symptoms and Disease’ (see homepage), the following statement was made: “Drinking the freshly extracted juices of vegetables is the fastest way to obtain the nutrients necessary to restore the human body to health”. It is best to “juice your vegetables and eat your fruit”. However, both fruit as well as vegetable juices are excellent. Many of the protocols for the treatment of cancer, for example the Gersen Institute and the work of Ian Gawler, have juices, especially vegetable ones, at the centre of their regime. A basic juice for health is: 50% carrot, 25% apple and the remaining 25% of greens, especially kale and parsley.
· High dosage of DHA
Docosahexaenoic acid is one of the Omega-3 essential fatty acids. ‘Essential’ means that it cannot be synthesised by the human body in adequate quantities. DHA is the most complex form of Omega-3 and is difficult to include in our diet, as only a few foods contain a significant amount. These are mainly fish, which are not part of a vegan diet. Hence DHA should be taken as a supplement. It has many beneficial effects on, for example, the heart and the brain. It has also been shown to assist in the management of some inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders. In our typical Western diet, the ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids can be as high as 1:30. The ratio should be no higher than 1:3. ‘High’ dose of DHA would be up to 1000mg a day.
· Vitamin D
The importance of Vitamin D and Sunlight have been detailed in my November 2007 newsletter ‘Sunlight and Health’. Vitamin D levels should be checked and, if low, appropriately treated, remembering that exposure of the skin to the direct rays of the sun is the best way for the body to manufacture vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D are associated with increased incidence of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), multiple sclerosis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Water fasting aids in the detoxification process and, according to Dr Joel Fuhrman (author of ‘Eat to Live’, ‘Disease-proof your child’ and other books), fasting “forces autoimmune disorders into remission”. He recommends 3-5 days fasting per month. In my book ‘How to Live to 100+ Years Free from Symptoms and Disease’ (see homepage), in chapter 13 ‘Fasting’, it states: “A one day fast each week is recommended for health reasons.” The rationale for this, and the way to carry it out, are presented in that chapter.
· Green Barley Powder
This is a complete organically grown living food with nature’s blend and balance of nutrients. It contains a natural and comprehensive range of vitamins, minerals, all important enzymes and amino acids. Green Barley Powder is one of the most alkali forming foods. For detailed information, see my November 2006 newsletter ‘Green Barley Powder’.
· Dietary avoidance
Dr Fuhrman strongly recommends avoidance of salt, wheat (in all forms including wholegrain) and oils. Other authors believe that fat intake should be kept low, so that 10% and no more than 15% of dietary calories/kilojoules should come from fat.
The immune system is complex. My June 2007 newsletter ‘The Immune System and Immunity’ presents a detailed overview of it and it is recommended that it be read in conjunction with this newsletter.
Remember that diet is only one of ‘The Seven Requirements for Health’, which are discussed in chapter 2 of my book ‘How to Stop Feeling So Awful’ (see homepage). The seven requirements for health are: proper nutrition, pure air, pure water, exercise, sunshine, rest and positive thinking. Attention to all of these, especially sunshine, rest and positive thinking, is an integral part of the healing process.
* Copyright 2008: The Huntly Centre.
Disclaimer: All material on the huntlycentre.com.au website is provided for informational or educational purposes only. Consult a health professional regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations expressed herein, with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.
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