According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association and the National Institutes of Health, as many as 23.5 million Americans are diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Researchers have been able to identify as many as 100 different autoimmune diseases and there is speculation that another 40 diseases have an autoimmune connection. Some of these diseases include multiple sclerosis, celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes. For many of these diseases, a change in diet and nutrition is essential.
Gluten-Free Diet
A gluten-free diet is a diet where gluten, a protein found in grains like wheat and barley, is removed completely from the diet. In regards to autoimmune diseases, a gluten-free diet is essential if you have celiac disease in order to help to control inflammation in the small intestines. A 2011 study published in "Gastroenterology Nursing" shows that people with celiac disease are intolerant of gluten proteins and that through limited gluten intake, patients can lead relatively normal lives. Gluten-free awareness is becoming more widespread with many food companies now advertising and displaying the term "gluten free" on their packaging.
Low-Fat Diet
A healthy diet is recommended for all patients with an autoimmune disease, and the intake of fat should be limited due to it causing an increased risk in cardiovascular complications. A 2011 study published in the journal "Gender Medicine" looked at the connection between fat consumption and the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The results showed that dietary fat accelerates renal injury and peripheral vascular dysfunction and promotes visceral obesity in patients with chronic inflammation.
Nutrition and Vitamin Deficiencies
With many autoimmune diseases, the disease itself, or the medication you take to treat the disease can cause vitamin deficiencies that can contribute to increased symptoms. Researchers have found that a deficiency in vitamin D plays a large role in many autoimmune diseases. A 2011 study published in the "Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology" looked at the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with lupus. Their study treated these patients with high doses of vitamin D and concluded that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the perpetuation of lupus in patients. A 2011 study published in "Immunological Investigations" looked at the connection between vitamin D deficiency and multiple sclerosis. The researchers treated 62 patients with multiple sclerosis with high doses of vitamin D and concluded that vitamin D supplementation may help prevent the development of multiple sclerosis as well as be an effective form of therapy in patients already diagnosed.
Considerations
Before making any changes to your diet or vitamin supplementation, consult your physician or nutritionist. They will be able to guide you and develop a proper diet designed for your autoimmune condition. Talk to your physician about having your blood tested for possible vitamin deficiencies and, if deficient, he will be able to advise a proper dosage for bringing your vitamin levels into the optimal ranges.
References
- American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association Inc.: Autoimmune Statistics
- MayoClinic.com; Gluten-free Diet; January 2010
- "Gastroenterology Nursing"; Celiac Disease: Implications for Patient Management; M. Ryan, et al.; May-June 2011
- "Gender Medicine"; High Dietary Fat Promotes Visceral Obesity and Impaired Endothelial Function in Female Mice With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; E.L. Gilbert, et al.; April 2011
- "Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology"; The Immunopathological Role of Vitamin D in Patients With SLE: Data From a Single Centre Registry in Hungary; P. Szodoray, et al.; March 2011
- "Immunological Investigations"; Therapeutic Effect of Vitamin D3 in Multiple Sclerosis Patients; G. Mosaybei, et al.; May 2011
