Autoimmune disease

Did you know that approximately 50 million Americans (one in five of the population), suffer from autoimmune diseases? These diseases can affect people of all ages, including both men and women, but the majority of those affected are women.

Autoimmune conditions occur when your immune system attacks itself, harming healthy tissues. There are a great number of different autoimmune diseases and the symptoms can vary from person to person. In some autoimmune diseases, no two cases are the same, making them very difficult to diagnose and treat. These diseases can affect any and all areas of your body, both internally and externally.

You can be genetically predisposed to develop certain autoimmune diseases, while others have unknown causes. With current research however, we do know that high levels of stress on the body including environmental factors can play a role.

So, what can we do to lower our risk of developing an autoimmune disease?

• Reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, both inside and outside your home.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that is nutrient dense and promotes healthy digestion.
• Reduce stress.
• Practice healthy sleeping habits.
• Maintain a healthy gut.

While we may not be able to completely prevent autoimmune diseases, by implementing these healthy strategies, we may lower our risk.