Autoimmune Diseases in Women: Understanding the Risks and Importance of Lifestyle, Diet, and Gut Health

Introduction:

Autoimmune diseases are a growing issue in our society, affecting millions of people worldwide.

These diseases are caused when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells or tissues in the body. While anyone can develop an autoimmune disease, it is well-established that women are more susceptible to these conditions.

In this blog post, we will be discussing why women are more at risk, common autoimmune diseases, how these conditions can impact overall health, and how lifestyle choices, dietary habits, and gut health can play an essential role in managing these conditions.

Why Women Are More at Risk of Autoimmune Diseases:

Research has shown that women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases due to both biological and environmental factors. For example, hormones can play a role as oestrogen fluctuations during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy can trigger an autoimmune response. Environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins, viruses, or alcohol, can also increase the risk of developing an autoimmune disease.

Common Autoimmune Diseases:

There are over 80 known autoimmune diseases, and many of them disproportionately affect women. Some of the most common autoimmune diseases include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Multiple sclerosis 
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis 
• Coeliac disease 
• Inflammatory bowel disease 
• Sjögren's syndrome

Common Ways Autoimmune Diseases Affect Health:

Depending on the type of autoimmune disease, affected individuals may experience a wide range of symptoms. Some common symptoms include joint pain and inflammation, muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, digestive problems, skin rashes, hair loss, and mood changes such as anxiety and depression.

Why We Should Look at Lifestyle, Diet, and Gut Health:

While effective medications for autoimmune diseases exist, lifestyle modifications can play an important role in managing autoimmune disease symptoms.

Lifestyle:

Stress can worsen autoimmune disease symptoms, techniques such as SSP (Safe and Sound Protocol), yoga, meditation, and exercise can help reduce stress levels. Adequate sleep is also important, and individuals should strive to establish a regular sleep schedule to promote optimal sleep hygiene.

Diet:

An autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet is a special dietary approach that involves removing foods that are likely to trigger an immune response and increase inflammation in the body to help manage autoimmune symptoms. The AIP diet is similar to the paleo diet and emphasises the consumption of natural and unprocessed foods, free from additives, chemicals, or refined sugar. 

The AIP diet has been found to improve inflammation and autoimmune symptoms in many people within a short period. It is essential to work with a practitioner in developing an AIP diet plan to ensure long-term success in managing autoimmune symptoms.

Gut health:

Researchers have found that the gut microbiome balances immune function. By promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, an individual can help reprogram the immune system and alleviate autoimmune symptoms such as inflammation. You can eat a diet rich in pre and probiotics, including fermented foods like kombucha, sauerkraut, and kimchi, or consume high-quality probiotic supplements to enhance gut health.

Conclusion:

Autoimmune diseases can be challenging to live with, but making lifestyle modifications, adopting a healthy diet, and improving gut health can help manage these conditions' symptoms.

While there is no cure for autoimmune diseases, taking care of oneself is essential to keeping symptoms under control. Individuals who experience symptoms should seek medical attention and work with their healthcare providers to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. By doing so, individuals can improve their overall health and quality of life.

Snack Ideas:

Lots of people on an autoimmune diet struggle to know what to eat for snacks. If that’s you, check out the snack guide below. You’ve got no excuses now! :-)

Check out some snack ideas below. You can also download the pdf below.

The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Toki Birch. Toki Birch encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.