Environmental influences your body's autoimmunity

The immune system is a critical component of fighting against bacteria, parasites, and viral infections. A healthy immune response attacks invading organisms and substances. When things go astray, and this system starts attacking components of our own body, then we have a problem. This is called autoimmunity.

Autoimmunity does not usually just happen. There are outside influences. When the body is looking for an invader inside the cells of tissues, it can inadvertently damage otherwise innocent healthy cells. It’s kind of like a runaway train that is on the right track but isn’t able to stop itself.

Immune suppression is the opposite of autoimmunity. This is when parts of our immune system just get turned off. This reduces the ability of the body to fight infections. Whether abnormally low activity, or over activity, these indicate dysregulation where the immune system is not properly controlled or restrained.

Immunodeficiency at birth can be so severe that some people have chosen to live inside of bubbles or houses completely free of germs. But normally we just tend to get colds or flu easier or be at higher risk for other infections. HIV/AIDS is an acquired immune deficiency that leads to later complications.

Some-times the immune system just overreacts and is too sensitive. This is the case with seasonal or food allergies and asthma. Our body is just overly sensitive to dust, molds, animal dander, or pollen. Even some toxins, like from bee stings, can be greater irritants for some people.

Rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease are examples of auto-immunity. So are lupus, Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an example where the body starts attacking the thyroid gland. Even psoriasis can be caused by on overactive immune system which stimulates the skin to product silvery, scaly plaques.

Autoimmunity can happen throughout the body, including the lungs, intestines, blood, skin, liver, kidneys, and joints. Even our brain can be affected. Our immune system is essential for our survival, yet sometimes it can be triggered into dysregulation. Often these triggers slowly and quietly enter our body without notice.

Of late, some studies are indicating that genetics play into about 30% of all autoimmune disease. The other 70% is thought to be due to environmental factors. This includes chemicals, dietary components, imbalances in the gut microbiome, and infections.

The gut is being recognized more and more as an important player. As we develop greater intolerance to some of the things we eat, the microbiome of our gut changes. This in turn affects intestinal permeability which can allow larger molecules into our body. The immune system naturally reacts. But prolonged, this reaction gets turned on all the time.

One of the most common autoimmune diseases is Hashimoto’s, which in turn is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Researchers have been linking chronic infections, exposure to synthetic pesticides, PCBs, BPA, some medications, and food additives to autoimmunity.

Reducing our exposure to environmental toxins, supporting the body to eliminate toxins it does acquire, and taking care of our digestive system and microbiome can certainly encourage the body away from autoimmunity. This also means getting rid of foods that cause ongoing inflammation and watching out for low grade chronic infections.

Scott Porter, a functional medicine pharmacist, is the director of the Center for Functional Nutrition at Sandpoint Super Drug.