Page 37 - The Autoimmune Protocol

The Autoimmune Protocol

Foods that Trigger RA Symptoms

Just like some foods help reduce inflammation, other foods can have the opposite effect
and actually make inflammation in the body worse. Avoid processed foods as much as
possible, especially foods that contain processed flour and carbohydrates. Processed
white sugar is generally understood as being unhealthy for the diet, but it does much more
harm than people realize. White sugar and high fructose corn syrup can trigger an
inflammatory response in the body. Also try avoiding foods containing high amounts of
saturated and trans fats.

Rheumatoid arthritis, like so many other autoimmune diseases, has no known cure.
However, learning to manage triggers and eat healthy can greatly reduce the
inflammation in the body that leads to so many other issues over time.

Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
(IBD) is an autoimmune
disease characterized by an
immune response that
attacks the digestive tract,
causing inflammation.

One type of inflammatory
bowel disease called Crohn’s
disease has already been
discussed. However, there is
another type of IBD called
ulcerative colitis (UC) that
affects the lining of the large
intestine, specifically the
rectum and colon, by causing
sores to develop.

This chronic condition is more common in North America, leading some to suggest that
a Western Diet may be to blame. A Western Diet could be defined as a diet high in sugars,
red meat, and processed foods. However, at this time, researchers can point to no specific
cause in particular. Like many autoimmune diseases, ulcerative colitis is likely the result
of a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Symptoms of UC
Oftentimes, symptoms of UC present themselves gradually. This may begin with diarrhea
mixed with blood and mucus. Because of the inflammation in the colon and rectal area
associated with this disease, bleeding may occur on a regular basis. This bleeding may

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