What is it-What causes it-How do I get rid of it?

Inflammation:The root of all illness. There are many ways to get it. Autoimmune disease starts when the body detects an intruder and through inflammation, attempts to get rid of it. This is natural, however, when the infection is gone the inflammation should also leave and when it doesn’t, the inflammation begins attacking the home team. Tissue, joints, thyroid, the lymph system… It can wreak havoc on your body and many people become crippled with pain or diminished use of their bodies. 

Some examples of autoimmune diseases include systemic lupus, Sjogren syndrome, Hashimoto thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile (type 1) diabetes, polymyositis, scleroderma, Addison disease, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, glomerulonephritis, and pulmonary fibrosis. It’s a long list and when a person lives with one, other autoimmune diseases can follow.

We can zone in on the pain and treat it from this angle or we can go to the root and stop it there. Get rid of the inflammation and the rest will follow.

My Story…

21 years ago I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and since then, Sjogren Syndrome and Reynard’s has been added to my collection. There were many months of extreme pain, flare ups, days filled with exhaustion and depression. Self-pity and anger were often near, waiting for me to give up. I knew on a level that was bigger than myself that this was not meant to be my destiny. I knew there was a plan for me, a way out, but I couldn’t see it. I kept a journal of my days. What I did and how I felt. Foods, medications, prayer, education, science. I took control of my health. I fired doctors and hired Doctors. I assembled a team of healers who all had expertise and the desire to see me well.

Today, the RA is in remission and I take help when I need it. I use medication if I need it and if I do need it, I also use natural remedies to keep any side effects to a minimum, however, I am usually able to offset any signs of inflammation by using natural foods and avoiding hidden (and openly visible) foods that can cause problems.

What can you do if you are living with an autoimmune disease?

Stay on your medication if it is working and use the good healthy time to get the good habits started:

Add in:

Hot water with lemon (this helps cleanse body of excess medication/side effects)

Berry Smoothie

Greens/fresh veggies

Lentils, quinoa

Wild Fish

Grass fed meats- Know where it comes from/how it was raised

Organic/pasture raised eggs

Fermented foods

Nuts, seeds, nut butters

Avocado

Frozen/fresh berries

Take out:

Pop- diet or regular

Fast food

Additives-Read Labels

Gluten

Dairy

Processed Sugar

Alcohol

Caffeine

Beans

Rice

Soy

Potatoes-(sweet potatoes/yams are ok)

Corn

Tips:

Before having an item on the don’t list have a cup of warm water w/lemon.

Supplements

Spices: Turmeric, Cinnamon, Ginger

Multiple strain probiotic

Magnesium- 250mg

Multiple digestive enzymes

Vit D

Fish oil

Try for 14 days and see how you feel.

If you want to one by one add in the

Gluten, Dairy, Beans, Rice, Soy, potatoes- then after a few days with each one, check in with your body to see how you feel.

A word about Kale and cruciferous veggies;

Cook them first.

Sleep:

At least 7 hours a night. This is probably the most important ingredient!!!

I follow an 80/20 plan. 80% of the time I eat healthfully and over time you will learn that this is an achievable list, but I didn’t get here all at once, this took time and even now I enjoy good food and occasionally that means an indulgence that is not healthy. When you do this, Do it with Gusto! Enjoy.

Take that Inflammation and SMACK it down!

If you would like more information on reducing inflammation naturally with food, join me at YourHolisticHero.com or contact me at Sonya@YourHolisticHero.com