AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS
(by Steven HORNE)

The immune system's job is beautifully orchestrated to determine what is "self"' and what is "not self" and to get rid of anything that is "not self" by destroying or eliminating that "not self' thing. But sometimes things go awry and the immune system becomes confused enough to begin to attack the body's own tissues. This is what causes autoimmune disorders. In essence, the immune system goes renegade.

Think of the renegade immune system as an army that has received confusing messages on who and where the enemy is. Acting on this critical misinformation, the commanding officers order an attack on what they think is the enemy, while in reality they are attacking their own troops and destroying them with what is called "friendly fire". Like the confused commanding officers, instead of being the protector of health, the confused immune system has become the destroyer of health. These attacks are directed at different tissues, systems and parts of the body in different people, creating symptom clusters that have been named as various diseases. The beginning of all of these conditions is the same-a confused, renegade immune system. But which condition manifests depends on factors such as viruses, bacteria, genetics, trauma, stress, allergies, medications, environmental factors, toxins, dietary influences and hormonal changes, all of which can be possible culprits in causing the immune system to turn on itself.

Before our modern society started monkeying around with our health and environment, immune disorders were relatively uncommon. In recent years the incidences of immune disorders have risen at alarming rates, with new conditions raising their ugly heads all the time. In order to turn the tide and stop the onslaught, we need to understand what we are doing to ourselves, and our environment - that may be major contributors to these increases in autoimmune disorders. We also need to know what we can do to prevent further health damage, and how to recapture our health through diet, life style changes, and natural health supplements.

Autoimmuue Disorders: Cause and Cure

There are many possible causes for autoimmune disorders. Here are the major ones and what to do about them.

Viruses
Certain viruses are known to trigger immune problems. A good example is Epstein-Barr virus which is often at the root of many fatigue and pain related autoimmune disorders. Immunizations bypass our body's first line of immune defense-the skin and mucus membranes. This can confuse the body's immune system and may cause the viral material in the vaccine to get mixed in with the body's own DNA. The body then associates some of its own tissues with disease organisms. The polio vaccine is particularly suspect.

Mercury Filings
One of the most toxic of all substances on earth is the liquid metal mercury. Among other things, it damages our immune system. Just touching it is extremely dangerous, and yet we mix it with silver and put it in our mouths where it stays for the rest of our lives, leaching tiny amounts into our bodies. Consider having a properly trained dentist remove the mercury/silver fillings and replace them with composite fillings.

Air pollution
If the air we breathe is loaded with toxins and chemicals, it will negatively affect the immune system. If you live where the air has been damaged by pollutants, use filters and ionizers in your home and make sure you take frequent breaks to clean air places. We have to do whatever we can to protect our air. Plant trees and other greenery and have an active voice in environmental issues.

Water pollution
Our bodies are made of nearly 70% water, and we need to constantly replenish our water supply. When we put bad water and chemically loaded liquids into our bodies, we suffer immediate de-energization. Some of the most dangerous viruses are waterborne, as are chemicals and toxins, so filter and purify your water.

Chemicals in Food
Commercially grown and processed foods typically contain numerous chemicals. These chemicals also contribute to immune problems. Non-organic foods are grown with artificial chemical fertilizers and toxic chemical pesticides in "dead" soil. This greatly reduces the nutritional value of the foods, as well as being questionably safe for human consumption. Non-organic meats are raised with steroids, antibiotics, and hormones. These are passed through to us when we eat them. So, wherever possible. insist on certified organic foods.
Also, avoid eating saturated fats, hydrogenated oils, fried foods, prepackaged foods, artificial dyes, flavorings and additives. Hydrogenated fats are a major problem for people with autoimmune problems.

Other Negative Environmental Influences
Many cleaning fluids are made of highly toxic chemicals. Toxic paint fumes, formaldehyde in new carpets and chemicals in particle board can be invisible enemies as well as the electromagnetic frequencies from high tension electrical wires that scramble our energy. Microwave ovens and cellular phones are also suspect in our quest to find and eliminate factors that can be negatively affecting our immune systems. Some medications can also negatively affect the immune system.

Aids to Balanced immunity
The key to overcoming and healing autoimmune disorders is in calming down the immune system response, detoxifying the body gently, and building health from within. Natural therapy for autoimmune disorders includes undoing the damage we have done to our bodies and our environment. Massage, acupressure, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, spas, gentle exercise, regular stress-breaks, calm and quiet, and rest are valuable possibilities. The only way to recover from autoimmune disorders is to pamper and take care of yourself.

Stress
Avoid or reduce stress wherever possible. Stress can push one's health to the breaking point and exacerbates autoimmune problems. Practice meditation, prayer, yoga, Tai chi. Take walks, garden, and journal, enjoy life, take a nice bath, listen to quiet music.

Emotional Factors
Find the attitude or feeling that may be presenting itself as a health condition in your life. (i.e. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) eats at the nervous system, so take a look at what in your life could be eating at your nerves.) If the inner body is attacking itself in any way because of self-guilt, shame, anger, etc., then self-care and self love, the antithesis of the attack, can be a powerful tool for turning the autoimmune condition around.

Exercise
Exercise has to be the right kind for the autoimmune profile. It's very important not to overdo on exercise and stress the body! Hard aerobics and intense team sports are out.
What is needed most is oxygen in the system and staying flexible. Yoga, tai chi and other flowing martial arts and dance disciplines, hiking, walking, swimming, light bicycle riding and other enjoyable activities that stretch the body and gently oxygenate the blood are appropriate choices. Keep the exercise regime on the gentle side, but be regular about it.

Diet
Stick to white meats (fish and organic poultry), cut off extra fats and avoid fried foods. It may take total abstinence from meats for a while for the body to heal, then careful reintroduction.
Hydrogenated oils are very aggravating to autoimmune conditions. Use olive oil.
Make sure your diet is 2/3rds fresh veggies and fruits, organic when possible. Watch out for dairy, corn and wheat/gluten sensitivities. You may also need to abstain from these completely for a time while the body heals.

Candida treatment with Candida Clear and Bifidophilus to repopulate your digestive system helps. Stay off of sugars and sweets.

The autoimmune disorder profile includes digestive weakness and malabsorption, so enzyme supplementation is essential.

Healing Happens!

All tissues, even those attacked by the immune system, can be repaired by the body's incredible healing capabilities. Virtually all-autoimmune conditions have an up and down pattern, going asymptomatic and into long periods of remission. It is important to know that damage need not be continual or permanent. With proper self-care using diet, exercise, emotional and stress adjustment and appropriate herbal supplements, you can heal.

Some Specific Autoimmune Disorders

Alzheimer's Disease
A decline in social and intellectual abilities due to abnormalities in the brain.

Multiple Sclerosis - MS
Attack on the nervous system creates numbness, paralysis, and blurred vision.

Lateral Sclerosis-ALS
(Lou Gehrig's Disease) severe and fast progressive paralysis and degeneration.

Fibromyalgia
Aches, pains in the muscles, fatigue, and insomnia. Feels like flu without the fever.

Myasthenia Gravis
Weakness, fatigue of voluntary muscles, abnormalities of the thymus gland.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Painful lymph nodes, general weakness, fatigue with no apparent cause for long periods of time.

Environmental Illness
Inability to tolerate any chemicals. Immune system reacts to everything.

Lupus
Joint pain, swelling, inflammation, rashes, fatigue, fevers. Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Hashimoto's Disease
The body becomes allergic to thyroid hormone. Causes goiter. Under active thyroid.

Graves'Disease
Overactive metabolism and thyroid. Causes bulging or pressure around the eyes, blurring.

Crohn'sDisease
Inflammatory bowel condition, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain.

Ulcerative Colitis
Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, painful and urgent bowel movements, fever, weight loss, joint pains.

Herbs and Supplements to Avoid

Avoid all herbs and supplements that stimulate the immune system. Immune stimulants can be devastating to autoimmune disorders because the immune system is already in a state of hyperactivity. (Small amounts in formula bases may be moderated enough, but use with care.)

Herbs and supplements to avoid include Echinacea, golden seal, yarrow, dandelion root, Nature's Immune Stimulator and Trigger Immune. Caffeine containing foods and beverages and ephedra-based supplements may also over stimulate the immune system.

Essential Oils to Avoid

Avoid ylang ylang, geranium and thyme, as they are too stimulating to a hyperactive immune system.

BASIC RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Consult your heathcare professional.
2. Colon cleansing a must
3. Followed by a parasites cleanse
4. Body detox a must
5. Repeat colon cleansing
6. Support the liver