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12 Ways You Can Heal Your Autoimmune Disease Naturally
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There are many illnesses that now fall under the category of autoimmune diseases. Around eight percent of Americans are affected by this syndrome which amounts to more than 24 million people in this country. Currently, there are around 80 diseases that are considered autoimmune and the number keeps growing.
Included in the autoimmune category are:
- Lupus
- Celiac disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriasis
- Thyroid disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- General inflammation
An illness is considered an autoimmune disease when your immune system gets confused, can’t tell what it is fighting, and can’t decipher between the good cells from the bad ones. It will turn on your body and attack your brain, joints, skin, and even your entire body.
While there are medications that can bring autoimmune diseases under control, they often come with serious side effects. Most doctors don’t bother taking the time to determine what is causing the problem but instead, fill the patient with more and more medicine.
A breakthrough has come about in a new way of treating this disease. Functional medicine is where doctors first try to locate where the illness is coming from and then find out what is causing the issues that result in the symptoms. Here are 12 ways you can heal your autoimmune disease naturally.
1. Go on an anti-inflammatory diet
Make sure you eat foods such as leafy greens, wild fish that are rich in anti-inflammatory properties and omega-3 fatty oils, and turmeric. Stay away from foods that will aggravate your inflammation such as corn oil and sugar.
2. Make sure you don’t have any infections
Check with your physician to see if you can get a blood test to check if you have any infections you may not be aware of. Get tested for Lyme disease, a yeast infection, any viruses, or any bacteria.
3. Check for food allergies and celiac disease
Again, you will have to check with your doctor to have a blood test done to make sure you do not have celiac disease. This condition is the result of an allergic reaction to gluten. Make sure you check to see if you are allergic to any other foods like dairy or soy.
4. Deal with problems in your gut
It has been discovered that up to 70% of the immune system is located directly underneath the thick lining of the gut. When this area breaks down it gets your immune system involved and it begins to react to any toxins, bugs, or foods that are in your gut.
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5. Exercise every day
You do not have to join a gym but you do have to begin an exercise program and stick to it. Even just a walk 20-30 minutes each day will make you feel better. Exercising regularly is known as a natural type of anti-inflammatory.
6. Make sure you get eight hours of sleep nightly
Another easy way you can cut down on inflammation and reverse your health issues is to get enough sleep every night. When you don’t get at least 8 hours of sleep, you will ruin your metabolism, create sugar and carbs cravings, and increase your chances of getting any number of autoimmune diseases.
7. Learn deep breathing and relaxation techniques
You will improve your health and your immune response if you learn to relax. Some of the best techniques you can do are to learn yoga, practice deep breathing exercises, and get a massage regularly.
RELATED: Top Warning Signs of Autoimmune Disease and How to Reverse it Naturally
8. Add supplements to your regime
There are a number of supplements that you should add to your daily program. Some of them include vitamin C, fish oil, probiotics, and vitamin D. In addition, you might want to include some nutrients that have anti-inflammatory properties such as rutin, grapeseed extract, and quercetin. These supplements will help to naturally calm your immune system.
9. Make sure you have the right doctor
In the past, you went to a doctor, followed their orders, and you got better. It is different in today’s world and you need to participate in your own health decisions. Don’t be afraid to look for another doctor if the one you have currently doesn’t listen to you and trivializes the issues you are dealing with. It is important that you do your part in getting well too. Don’t eat all the wrong foods, smoke, and not exercise, and think your doctor has a magic pill that will make it all go away.
10. Work on cutting down the stress hormones in your body
It will make you more stressful if you are told to get rid of the stress in your life but you can cut down on the stress hormones you are carrying around with you. Practice deep breathing, take up meditation and utilize visualization techniques to achieve your goals of a healthy life.
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Photo credit: bigstockphoto.com
11. Rest for an hour each day
It’s important for you to rest each day. That means you can sit and meditate or sit down and read for an hour. You don’t have to sleep but you do have to rest your body so you can recharge yourself and go on for the rest of the day with renewed energy.
12. Try fasting
Many physicians endorse fasting as a way of healing autoimmune diseases because they feel that the body is able to rest and heal itself when the very foods that are aggravating this condition have been removed. You might want to try a 24-hour fast to see if it helps your autoimmune disease.
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