Autoimmune conditions are on the rise in the US and they affect 7-10% of the global population. There are a number of triggers associated with the manifestation of an autoimmune condition. If you are someone who has been suffering from an autoimmune condition, you may have been told there is no cure and you have to take medications for the rest of your life to manage the symptoms. This may or may not be true and it varies from individual to individual. Autoimmunity is complex as our immune system is constantly adapting to the environment it has been blessed with. The environment and our immune system are interconnected from the moment of conception. Human cellular function is ever adapting to triggers of our immune cells such as psychological and physical stress, toxin exposure such as pesticides, alcohol, medication exposure, and antibiotic use. The ever changing environment is what shapes our genetic code, which is what determines how our cells respond to the environment. Sometimes the environment changes faster than our immune system can appropriately adapt in a way that does not manifest disease or symptoms. Autoimmunity is a condition that occurs when the immune system becomes, in a way, confused between an environmental trigger it needs to attack and eliminate and part of your own human tissue such as joint cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, is an autoimmune reaction where the immune cells start to eliminate cartilage in certain joints as though it is a foreign substance that shouldn’t be there. The leading theory is this occurs due to having too much of a trigger for too long that gets into the bloodstream through the gut. The immune cells may recognize these triggers that shouldn’t be there and destroy them. The problem is many of these triggers have a chemical structure similar to the structure of certain human tissue. This is known as molecular mimicry and it explains why the immune system might attack itself under certain environmental conditions. Currently, gluten and casein are good examples of triggers for autoimmunity as many people are finding food sensitivities to wheat and dairy.
How do you know if you have any of these triggers or if you might be genetically predisposed to autoimmune conditions? There is a growing body of evidence for laboratory testing to be able to pinpoint triggers as well as doctor's and scientist's understanding of how these triggers present. Standard blood tests can determine some forms of autoimmunity, however they are often only discovered when the condition is in its late stages and much damage has already been done. Early detection of the triggers and knowing early signs of potential autoimmunity coupled with family history and individual environment dating all the way back to birth (and even before birth). Sometimes a simple elimination diet can identify your triggers, and sometimes specialty antibody tests are needed to hone in on environmental triggers of autoimmunity such as chemical and food sensitivities.
If you have a parent who has suffered from autoimmunity, then it is a good idea to find your triggers before symptoms even begin. Genetics testing can help determine if there is any genetic susceptibility for those who do not know their family history, and antibody testing helps determine potential triggers. See your functional medicine practitioner for more information if you feel this is something you need to investigate further and together we can prevent future health problems, reduce health care costs, and improve quality of life.
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