Autoimmune disorders result when the immune system wrongly identifies normal tissue as harmful and attacks it. There are dozens of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus and type 1 diabetes. All autoimmune diseases tend to share one characteristic: They can go through periods of a flare-ups and remission. Although specific treatments will depend on the particular problem, following a diet that promotes a healthy immune response might help. You should consult with your doctor or other qualified health-care professional before making any drastic changes to your eating habits.
Inflammation and Immune Function
Normally, inflammation plays an important role in healing an infection or injury; it helps the body bring more nutrients and immune system cells to the affected area to promote a healing response. Sometimes however, inflammation becomes excessive and does not serve any useful purpose. This type of inflammation contributes to an abnormal immune function that leads to autoimmune disorders. You can do several things to quell this inflammation---eating an anti-inflammatory diet being one of them.
Diet and Immune Function
All foods and drinks contain a variety of substances, including vitamins, minerals and specific types of acids and proteins. Some of these substances trigger processes that promote inflammation in the body while others prevent it. Although diet alone might not prove sufficient to manage a particular autoimmune condition, what you eat can certainly influence your body's inflammatory response. You must increase your consumption of foods that prevent inflammation and drastically decrease you intake of items that can trigger it.
Choosing the Right Fats
Meat and poultry contain many fats that promote inflammation, according to Dr. Andrew Weil, physician and integrative medicine expert. You also want to keep a good balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. An anti-inflammatory diet will have more of the former and few of the latter, though the typical Western diet accomplishes the exact opposite.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, trout and tuna, and hemp, flaxseed and walnuts quell inflammation. Your body uses omega-6 fats to make hormones that promote inflammation. Sources of omega-6 fats include oils such as corn, safflower, sunflower and mixed vegetable oils---found in commercially prepared snack foods. When cooking, choose olive or canola oil.
You also want to avoid trans fats---fats produced when hydrogen is added to a vegetable oil to make foods prepared with them stay fresher longer. Avoid any item that lists partially hydrogenated oil as an ingredient. Other common sources include donuts, fried foods, fast foods, margarine and shortening.
Choosing the Right Carbohydrates
What you commonly think of as "bad" carbohydrates, such as white bread, cookies and other sugary treats and drinks, will cause inflammation. The sugars in these foods react with proteins in the body to form substances that cause inflammation. Keeping blood sugar stable will lessen this effect; cut back on these foods and increase consumption of slower-digesting carbohydrates that contribute to steadier release of glucose. Good choices include whole-grains like oatmeal and brown rice, beans, non-tropical fruits and vegetables.
Considerations for Protein
Consume more vegetable proteins in place of inflammation-causing meats. Good sources include whole soy products like tofu and tempeh, beans, nuts, seeds and whole-grains. Weil recommends high-quality yogurts and cheeses when consuming an anti-inflammatory diet but suggests experimenting with a dairy-free diet for autoimmune problems. Casein, the protein in milk, can irritate the immune system in some people. If you choose to experiment, make sure you increase your consumption of non-dairy calcium, such as beans and leafy greens, and consider supplementation.
