Why Did I Get an Autoimmune Disease?
Or maybe the better question is, Why is my immune system attacking me?
Our bodies rely on natural defenses to keep us healthy and well. The immune system is supposed to protect us from foreign macro-molecules or invading organisms such as virus proteins, worms, or parasites. [1]
The immune system has two sides. You are born with innate immunity. Innate immunity is like the wall of a city--it can defend all attackers, and it is not specifically targeted for a particular pathogen. When it needs assistance, it signals the other side of our immune system, the adaptive or specific immunity. Adaptive immunity is your immune system’s adjustment for a different situation (adaptation) based on what antigens your body has been exposed to at any given time. [1]
The adaptive immune response is highly specific to the pathogens that it remembers. Any substance eliciting an adaptive immune response is called an antigen. [2] For example, if you had the chicken pox once, you will not get it a second time because of your adaptive immune system. However, that does not mean you would not get the mumps or measles, as these viruses are different than chicken pox and a specific memory has not yet been created in your immune system.
The job of the adaptive immune system is to destroy invading pathogens. The cells that make up the adaptive immune system have a the ability to distinguish something foreign from what is native. However, sometimes this fundamental ability fails and the immune system sees our tissue as foreign and attacks it. [3] This is called an autoimmune disorder.
When you have an autoimmune disorder, two things are happening simultaneously. First, your immune system has decided to attack healthy tissue. Second, you have inflammation, which can cause other health issues such as HPA-D (adrenal fatigue), insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and permeable bowel syndrome. [4]
Let's use the autoimmune disorder, Hashimoto's disease as an example. In this case, the immune system decides to attack the thyroid tissue. Along with the enraged immune system, you may feel fatigued, have tender lymph nodes, or experience weight gain, hair loss, or depression. Most likely, you are on a synthetic hormone to replace what your thyroid can no longer produce, however, prescribing a thyroid hormone does not address the real issue of your immune system attacking healthy thyroid tissue. Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease before it is a thyroid disorder. Similarly, multiple sclerosis is an immune disease before a demyelination disorder, and Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune disease before it is a joint disorder. This process is the same with each autoimmune disorder.
What causes an autoimmune disorder and the immune system to no longer be able to tell the difference between foreign and self is not known. Researchers have been asking this question for years. While there are many ideas of what happened, there are multiple factors, including the following:
Gender - Autoimmune diseases are more prevalent in women than in men. According to the American Autoimmune Related Disease Society (AARDA.org), the ratio is 10:1.
Genetics - If a family member has an autoimmune disorder, there is a higher chance that you may develop an autoimmune disorder, although it may not be the same disease. For example, while one family member could have lupus, another could have scleroderma.
Vaccinations - In an extensive research study done by a French scientist, it was discovered that vaccines were not the major cause of autoimmune disease. However, they also suggest that a potential link between vaccines and autoimmune diseases cannot be definitely ruled out and should be carefully explored during the development of new candidate vaccines. [5]
Chemical Toxins - It has been found the chemical contamination of the environment (for example: pesticides) plays a significant role in allergies and autoimmune disorders. Research proves that these harmful chemicals cause a shift in the balance of the immune system. This shift is medically associated with a wide variety of chronic illnesses, including (but not limited to) AIDS, CFS, multiple allergies, viral hepatitis, autoimmune disorders, and a host of other chronic infections. [6]
Metal Toxins - High levels of metals in the system are associated with autoimmune conditions. Heavy metals such as mercury (found in amalgam or metal fillings) can attach to collagen tissue in those individuals with multiple sclerosis. When heavy metals are present in the tissue, the body sees them as "not self" and mounts an immune attack. [7]
Food Toxins - All processed food is toxic. Processed food is anything that has been altered from its natural state. Unfortunately, a large number of foods consumed on a daily basis are processed. Consuming these foods multiple times each day may be toxic to you and can cause your immune system to react. [8]
Food Allergies - The top foods to cause allergies and intolerances in people are wheat (gluten), corn, soy, dairy, peanuts, sesame, sugars, grains, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and eggs. [9]
Leaky Gut - Leaky Gut is a term that modern medicine will not discuss. Unfortunately, physicians do not know enough about the gut. The gut leaks when the tight junctions do not work properly and become permeable, allowing food particles into the body. "In a self-perpetuating viscous cycle leaky gut flares up autoimmune conditions, which in turn further damages the gut lining" [10]. My fellow holistic practitioners and I believe that every person with an autoimmune also has leaky gut.
What does all this information mean? As you have read, there are a number of things that lead to chronic disease states and autoimmune disorders. And, in reality, it does not matter if you have one or all of these interferences leading to an autoimmune disorder; you need to find those interferences and remove them.
The quieting of your immune system is not a mystery; it is a method—a roadmap. Together you and I will address the foundations of your autoimmune and determine where you are imbalanced, and it always starts with nutrition. Optimizing your nutritional status by teaching the body to digest properly, and by encouraging a whole foods, properly prepared, nutrient dense diet. We will work together to remove the foods that your body views as toxic. Proper nutrition leads to strengthening and healing the immune barriers, including your intestinal barrier.
I look forward to partnering with you to determine which chemical stressor(s) you have encountered in your environment. Together we will remove them so your body can heal and you can be balanced. Click here to book your free Health Discovery Session
and get started.
1. Sompayrac, L. M. (2012). How the immune system works. (4th ed.). New York, NY: Wiley-Blackwell.
2. Owen, J., Punt, J., & Stranford, S. (2013). Kuby immunology. (7th ed.). New York, NY: W. H. Freeman.
3. Manoff, M. (2012). An epidemic of absence: A new way of understanding allergies and autoimmune diseases. Scribner; Reprint edition.
4. SE Shoelson, L Jongsoon, and BG Allison, "Inflammation and insulin resistance," Journal of Clinical Investigation (2006): 1793-1801.
5. Wraith, D., Goldman, M., & Lambert, P. (2003). Vaccination and autoimmune disease: what is the evidence?. The Lancet.
6. Ehrman, J. (2009). Pesticide use linked to lupus, rheumatoid arthritis. Retrieved from http://nihrecord.od.nih.gov/newsletters/2011/03_18_2011/story4.htm.
7. Silberod, R. (1992). A comparison of mental health of multiple sclerosis patients with silver/mercury dental fillings. 70: 1139-51, Psychology Reports.
8. Campbell-McBride, N. (2010). Gut and psychology syndrome: Natural treatment for autism, dyspraxia, a.d.d., dyslexia, a.d.h.d., depression, schizophrenia . Medinform Publishing.
9. Guandalini, S., & Newland, C. (2011). Differentiating food allergies from food intolerances. Current gastroenterology reports, 13(5), 426-434. Retrieved from 10.1007/s11894-011-0215-7
10. Kharrazian, D. (2010). Why do i still have thyroid symptoms? when my lab tests are normal: a revolutionary breakthrough in understanding hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism. Elephant Press.
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Heidi Toy FNTP
I help people all over the world heal by identifying and treating the root cause of their body imbalances. Through diet and nutrition, I guide them towards wholeness and balanced lives.
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When it comes to autoimmune conditions, many of my clients are eager to find answers about the foods that could be triggering their symptoms. They often think, "If I just avoid certain foods, I’ll feel better." But, what they might not realize is that food combinations can play a huge role in causing autoimmune flare-ups, even when the individual ingredients don’t show antibodies on their own. It’s a tricky and often frustrating area of functional medicine, but understanding it is key to healing. Here's what you need to know. Understanding Food Protein Reactions Let’s start with the basics. In a perfect world, food sensitivities and allergies are pretty straightforward. You eat a food, your body reacts, and you know exactly what caused the problem. Unfortunately, with autoimmune disease, the story is more complex. As a functional medicine practitioner trained under Dr. Datis Kharrazian, I don’t just look at individual foods—I look at immune response. And food proteins can behave very differently when combined. You may have a test that shows no antibodies for specific foods, think chicken, potatoes, or broccoli. But when those foods are cooked together in a meal, something changes. The proteins in those foods could combine in a way that causes your immune system to recognize them as a threat, triggering an autoimmune flare-up. The reason for this is cross-reactivity, where similar amino acid sequences in different food proteins can cause your immune system to confuse one food for another. This phenomenon is real, and it's something I see often in my practice. Just because a food doesn’t show a reaction on its own doesn’t mean it won’t cause issues when combined with others. The Role of Cross-Reactivity Cross-reactivity happens when your immune system mistakes one protein for another because they share a similar amino acid sequence. For example, if you react to salmon, you might also react to other types of fish due to similarities in their protein structures. This concept is why combining foods like certain grains, dairy, and legumes might trigger reactions in some individuals, even if they’ve tested negative for antibodies to those foods. Let’s look at a real-world example. Imagine eating a gluten-free Kung Pao chicken that’s free of contamination. You’d think that meal would be perfectly fine, right? But if that combination of chicken, spices, and vegetables triggers a reaction, it could be because of how the proteins in those foods interact once combined. Why You Should Pay Attention to Food Combinations In the context of autoimmune disease, where your immune system is already overactive, food reactions can be subtle and unpredictable. So, the next time you’re tempted to dismiss a food intolerance because a test didn’t flag it, think again. It’s not just about the individual foods—it’s about how they interact in your body. You need to pay close attention to how different food combinations make you feel. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking that food sensitivities only apply to the big culprits: gluten, dairy, or soy. But as an autoimmune patient, it’s essential to understand that your body might be reacting to the interaction of multiple foods. So while a test might show that chicken and broccoli are “safe” on their own, eating them together in a casserole could trigger symptoms. The N=1 Approach to Autoimmunity and Food Sensitivities Here’s the bottom line: There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to food and autoimmunity. As I always tell my clients, you are the expert on your own body. Testing can give us a great starting point, but it’s your unique experience that helps us narrow in on what’s truly causing your flare-ups. This is why food sensitivity testing—while helpful—is just one part of the puzzle. You have to be keenly aware of your body’s reactions and the foods you’re combining, even if the individual ingredients test negative for antibodies. Don’t ignore what your body is telling you. If something doesn’t feel right after a meal, listen to it, and make adjustments accordingly. The Takeaway If you're struggling with autoimmune symptoms and haven't been paying attention to food combinations, it’s time to start. While food testing is an invaluable tool, it doesn’t give us the full picture. You may need to do some trial and error with food combinations to uncover what’s really triggering your symptoms. It’s also important to remember that autoimmune healing is complex and individualized. You are an N=1, which means your treatment plan should be tailored to you. Don’t be afraid to advocate for your health, and work with a functional medicine practitioner who can help guide you through the nuances of food reactions and autoimmune management. Are you struggling to identify food sensitivities or autoimmune triggers? Let's work together to find a personalized solution that addresses your unique needs. You are welcome to start with a Free Health Discovery Session.
For many of us, our experience with food comes with some sort of baggage. Maybe you eat to cope with stress, anxiety or depression. Maybe you’ve grown up with value-words placed on food such as “junk” and “healthy,” and told you couldn’t eat the “good stuff” (brownies and ice cream) until you finished the “yucky stuff” (broccoli and lettuce). Or, even more serious, maybe you or a loved one has struggled or is struggling with an eating disorder. Food is amazing and life-giving. It can be used as a means to celebrate, socialize, or simply just provide fuel for the body. Our relationship with food shouldn’t be a difficult one, it should be an enjoyable one. A way to get to that healthy place in your relationship is to practice mindful eating. Mindfulness is a Buddhist concept of mediation that can help you recognize emotions and physical sensations present. Through mindful eating, you can learn to truly pay attention to your experiences, cravings and physical cues. The basics of mindful eating are: Eat slowly, without distraction. If you are eating with others, take a least five minutes at the start of the meal to enjoy the food on your plate before engaging in discussion. Pay attention to your body--are you still hungry, or are you getting full? Learn to distinguish between cravings and true hunger. Use all your senses when you sit down to a meal. Make an effort to notice how the food looks, smells, tastes, feels in your mouth, and sounds when you chew. Appreciate your food, who has prepared it (even if it’s you--what an accomplishment!), and where it comes from. Being mindful of your experience will help you slow down while eating. This can prevent overindulgence by making the act of eating intentional instead of automatic. It will also help you become aware of triggers that make you want to eat (are you truly hungry at 9pm every night when you sit down to watch that Netflix show, or do you just pour yourself a bowl of Chex Mix because that’s what you always do?). Knowing your triggers can give you time to process what’s truly going on and the ability to react properly.
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Successfully healing Adrenal Fatigue requires a holistic approach focussed on fixing the root cause of your problems and supporting your body through the healing process. This means we are going beyond just temporary symptom relief. We want you to return to vibrant health so you can get back to the active and healthy lifestyle that Adrenal Fatigue is holding you back from. (Adrenal Fatigue is more accurately known as HPA-D. Check out my blog HPA-D vs Adrenal Fatigue to learn more.)Again, we would be completing further testing to get to the root cause of your issues, but this protocol is a great starting point for healing. We focus on five essential areas for fast and long-term healing.
Change up where/how you purchase your food.
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