Page 45 - The Autoimmune Protocol

The Autoimmune Protocol

It’s no secret that an astounding number of people are being diagnosed with autoimmune

diseases each year. Currently, it is estimated that between 23.5 and 50 million Americans
suffer from autoimmune disease. Between 80-100 different autoimmune diseases have
been discovered so far, with more likely to come. Women seem to suffer from
autoimmune disease on a greater scale than men, which is leading to serious issues. For
women in all age groups up to the age of 64, autoimmune disease is actually one of the
top ten leading causes of death. Furthermore, since autoimmune disease is a fairly new
subject to the medical world, doctors are likely not receiving much medical education on
the subject. However, the dots are being connected slowly, and links have been found
between autoimmune diseases and other factors. There is hope for the future in terms of
treating autoimmune disease, but this may require mainstream medical professionals to
completely reframe the way they once thought about environmental triggers, western
medical practices, and popular medications.

As this unsettling trend continues to grow, questions are being raised as to what genetic
and environmental factors are contributing to this progression. It is important to start
seeking and addressing the root cause of these conditions. When doctors continue to treat
autoimmune disease with temporary solutions that help manage symptoms, more harm
may be done in the long run. For instance, it is commonplace to treat autoimmune disease
with immunosuppressant drugs. This practice has been shown to lead to serious long-
term issues.

A holistic approach to autoimmune disease involves looking at the bigger picture: It
means looking at the whole person and seeking to detect the root cause. Most often, the
causes of autoimmune diseases are a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Someone who is genetically predisposed to develop an autoimmune disease may end up
triggering it by certain foods, issues with bacterial growth, stress, hormones, heavy metal
exposure, and exposure to chemicals found in many things we use on a daily basis. We
are all surrounded by triggers. In some cases, they are right in front of us and we do not
realize it.

The remainder of this book will delve deeper into potential causes and triggers of
autoimmune disease, as well as address dietary protocols, natural remedies to help
provide balance, and surprising everyday triggers we come into contact with that may
have dangerous long-term effects. The goal of this protocol is to raise awareness of the
many inadvertent ways we open the door to autoimmune disease, so we can begin tackling
the root cause, managing current symptoms, and living our best life.

Diet: Your First Defense
When it comes to managing autoimmune disease, as well as fighting inflammation that
results from such diseases, your diet is your first defense. As mentioned earlier in this

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