By Jennifer Whitmire MS, MEd, MH, CHES, NEP
Autoimmune diseases are far more common than many realize, affecting about 8% of the U.S. population—that’s roughly 50 million people. What’s crazy is that 80% of those diagnosed are women. AND many people may live with an autoimmune condition without even knowing it. Symptoms can be vague and easily dismissed as part of something else. Hair loss is a big symptom of autoimmune thyroid disease, but it could also be from many other things.
How Many Autoimmune Diseases Are There?
There are over 100 recognized autoimmune diseases, and each has its own unique set of symptoms and challenges. These diseases can affect nearly every part of the body, from the joints and skin, to eyes, organs, and tissues. Many people suffer from an autoimmune disease for years without a proper diagnosis. It takes the average person 4 years and 4 different doctors to get the appropriate diagnosis.
This is outrageous! BUT…if you’re always tired, is it because you’re lazy or you didn’t eat enough? Maybe you don’t sleep. Or, maybe it’s due to an autoimmune disease. You can see why it’s complicated. But having chronic pain and fatigue and unexplained symptoms is no way to live and can be managed and even reversed in many cases with the right information.
Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases reveal their ugly head in many ways, and they often overlap with symptoms of other health conditions.
For me, I had no idea I even had anything wrong with me. I was always cold, always wore socks-night and day, year-round, always anxious and jittery without any caffeine, and easily flipped out and lost my cool at the smallest thing. I thought it was just ME, a part of my personality.
Fatigue
Fatigue is probably the most common symptom I see in my clients. That and pain. This is deep fatigue.
I had no idea that this was a symptom related to an illness! I would wake up on Saturday morning and could not even lift my head off of the pillow. I’d lay in the bed or on the couch with tears running down my face while my two little kids played with their dad.
This is persistent and unexplained exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest and can significantly impact your quality of life.
Joint pain and swelling
Joint pain and swelling are not normal. I’m referring to inflammation in the joints that leads to chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. I have had stiff feet that made it difficult to walk when I get out of bed.
For me, I get the “heavy legs.” My legs will suddenly become so heavy like I’m wearing leaded shoes.
Skin problems
This was a more recent symptom for me when I ran out of my prescription a year ago and couldn’t find a doctor who would put me back on the compounded meds that helped me. (I had radiation in 2013 before I discovered Functional Medicine. You can listen to my story here). Rashes, lesions, and other skin issues are often mistaken for less serious conditions like eczema or allergies. I was told that mine was dermatitis. It ended up being psoriasis.
Abdominal pain or digestive issues
Chronic discomfort in the digestive tract, including symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, or constipation are often misdiagnosed as IBS or food intolerances. If your bloating or pain won’t go away and you’ve tried “all the things” it’s worth digging deeper. You can have celiac disease without stomach pain and diarrhea! Autoimmune thyroid disease can show up as diarrhea or constipation or both.
Recurring fever or Low-Grade fever
Low-grade fevers that come and go without any apparent reason show us chronic inflammation is somewhere in the body. Autoimmune thyroid can also show up as chronic low body temperature.
Swollen glands
Lymph nodes that are always swollen or tender, usually in the neck, underarms, or groin can be a sign of an autoimmune illness.
Chronic infections
Frequent or severe infections like chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, or urinary tract infections that occur more often than the general population are a sign of an autoimmune illness.
These symptoms can be debilitating and affect both physical and mental health, and they can vary from one person to another even with the same illness.
Less Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases
Some autoimmune diseases have even more subtle or less recognized symptoms.
Low-grade inflammation
Persistent, low-level inflammation throughout the body that might not cause immediate pain but can lead to long-term damage if left unchecked. We often detect this when we are explaining blood test results to clients. In my own blood work, my white blood cells were always low for years. Get to know and understand your labs!
Muscle weakness
Physical weakness or muscle fatigue that can be difficult to pinpoint or explain leads to decreased physical activity and mobility which can create a cycle of less inactivity and more weakness.
Neurological symptoms
Numbness, tingling, or a “pins and needles” in the hands and feet are a sign of autoimmune disease. When I am under too much stress, I still get these symptoms.
These are symptoms that are easily dismissed and can delay a diagnosis.
The Risks of Undiagnosed Autoimmune Diseases
Leaving autoimmune diseases undiagnosed and untreated doesn’t just cause discomfort—it can lead to serious and long-term consequences. If not properly managed, autoimmune diseases can result in weakened and damaged organs. Chronic inflammation and immune system attacks can lead to kidney failure, liver disease, and heart conditions.
They can increase the risks of other illnesses, too. A compromised immune system makes it easier for infections and viruses to take hold and cause more problems.
They can increase the risk of cancers. People with autoimmune diseases have a higher risk of developing cancers, especially those of the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, such as lymphoma and leukemia.
How Are Genes Involved?
Genes are only one piece of the puzzle. There is a connection between genes, the immune system, and environmental factors.
Recipe for an autoimmune condition:
1. Genetic predisposition: Certain genes can increase the likelihood of developing an autoimmune disease. These genes often regulate immune function or how the body responds to environmental triggers.
2. Weakened immune response: The immune system must be compromised in some way, either due to genetic factors, chronic stress, or other underlying health conditions.
3. Environmental triggers: These can include anything from exposure to toxins and infections to diet and stress. Environmental factors can initiate or exacerbate an autoimmune response.
The good news is that because all three factors must be present for an autoimmune disease to develop, you’re not bound by your genes alone. Strengthening your immune system and learning to identify and avoid environmental triggers allows you to significantly reduce your risk of developing or worsening an autoimmune condition.
Genes Commonly Linked to Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases are usually connected to multiple genes rather than a single genetic mutation.
The HLA genes
HLA DQ8: This is the celiac gene, and it is also associated with Type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
HLA DR3: This is linked to autoimmune diseases like Sjogren’s syndrome and Graves’ disease, this gene affects immune regulation.
HLA DR2: This is the MS gene and is commonly found in ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
Other genes
CTLA4: This gene is associated with a wide range of autoimmune conditions, including Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, lupus, vitiligo, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, myasthenia gravis, and Sjogren’s syndrome. It regulates immune system activity and can influence the development of these diseases.
NOS1 and INFG: Both of these genes are linked to Raynaud’s.
Lupus: This is connected to over 80 different genes and is one of the most genetically diverse autoimmune diseases.
Why Are Women More Often Diagnosed with Autoimmune Diseases?
It’s a well-known fact that women are diagnosed with autoimmune diseases at a much higher rate than men. I attributed this to more frequent doctor visits, because I have found that women are more likely to seek help with a health concern than men, BUT the truth is more complex. The increased prevalence among women is largely due to genetics and their extra X chromosome.
Women have two X chromosomes, one of which is inactivated to ensure only a set amount of protein is produced in each cell. However, this inactivation process isn’t always perfect, and frequently leads to variability in gene expression. There have been studies showing this variability is connected to autoimmune disease. If allowed to produce too much protein, there are more proteins to activate an immune response. (The Y chromosome in males is essentially a shortened X chromosome with fewer active genes, so less protein to set off an alarm).
Research also shows that hormonal imbalances related to estrogen may influence immune system function and increase the risk of autoimmune diseases. Estrogen has been shown to regulate immune responses, so it makes since that when out of balance, it could sometimes enhance the immune system’s activity and lead to autoimmune conditions.
Weakened Immune Response and Autoimmune Disease
A weak or dysregulated immune system is a factor in the development of autoimmune diseases. The immune system is responsible for protecting the body from harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses, but in autoimmune diseases, it mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. This can lead to chronic inflammation, tissue damage, and a wide range of symptoms.
Several factors can contribute to a weakened immune response.
Stress Poor Diet Environmental Toxins Infections Hormonal Imbalances
- Long-term stress can suppress immune function and increase the risk of autoimmune flares.
- A diet low in essential nutrients can weaken the immune system and make it more susceptible to dysregulation. A diet of processed foods, inflammatory foods, sugar, gluten, etc can increase inflammation and weaken the immune system.
- Exposure to toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, pollutants, skin care products, plastics, cleaning products, etc can trigger immune responses and leaad to the development of autoimmune diseases.
- Certain viral and bacterial infections have been linked to autoimmune diseases due to molecular mimicry, where the immune system confuses the body’s cells with the invading pathogen.
- Hormonal fluctuations, particularly during pregnancy, menopause, or periods of significant stress trigger autoimmune diseases or worsen existing conditions.
Strengthening the immune system through stress management, a nutrient-rich diet, and minimizing toxin exposure can help prevent or even reverse autoimmune disease symptoms.
Positive Actions You Can Take for Your Health
There are steps you can take to protect your health, manage, and potentially reverse or prevent autoimmune diseases.
1.Adopt an Anti-Inflammatory Whole Food Plant-Based Diet
WFPB. Eating a diet rich in whole, unprocessed plant foods can lower inflammation. Focus on the rainbow by buying and consuming a variety of colorful vegetables, fruits, sprouted whole grains and legumes, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens. These foods are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and essential nutrients and phytonutrients that support health and a balanced immune system.
Choose specific foods known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Look for leafy greens, berries, turmeric, ginger, and omega 3-rich foods like chia, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Including these in your daily diet can help reduce inflammation and support your body’s natural healing processes.
Avoid Inflammatory Foods. It’s essential to avoid foods like refined sugars, processed foods, trans fats, heated oils, processed and red meats, processed flours, store-bought cookies, cakes, pastries. Most people benefit from eliminating gluten and dairy. These can be common triggers for autoimmune responses. I also like for all of my clients to remove common allergens, just for a while, to test and see if any cause any underlying inflammation (corn, peanuts, soy, dairy, gluten, eggs, shellfish).
2. Manage Stress Effectively
Stress Management Techniques throughout the day every day. Engaging in regular stress management practices, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, visualization, legs up the wall, or mindfulness, can help calm the nervous system and reduce the impact of stress on your health.
Pick Up A Hobby. Making time for hobbies, social connections, and activities that bring you joy and relaxation is also important for managing stress levels and supporting health.
3. Stay Physically Active
Regular physical activity. Movement is another powerful tool for managing autoimmune diseases. Exercise helps reduce inflammation, moves lymphatic fluid, supports healthy immune function, and improves mood and energy levels.
Exercise. Activities such as walking, swimming, cycling, or yoga are gentle on the body while still providing significant health benefits. Aim for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
4. Get Quality Sleep
Deep, restful sleep. Sleep is when the body heals and regenerates. Poor sleep can aggravate symptoms and make it harder for the immune system to function properly.
7-9 hours. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night by establishing a regular sleep routine, creating a restful sleep environment, and minimizing exposure to screens and artificial light before bed.
5. Avoid Environmental Toxins
Reduce exposures. Reducing exposure to environmental toxins can help protect your immune system and reduce the risk of triggering autoimmune responses. Choose organic foods when possible, use natural cleaning and personal care products, and avoiding unnecessary medications or chemicals.
Detox your home. Detoxifying your environment by filtering your water, using air purifiers, and being mindful of the products you bring into your home can also make a difference in reducing your overall toxin load.
6. Focus on Gut Health
Balance your microbiome. A healthy gut is fundamental to a balanced immune system. The gut microbiome, the trillions of bacteria living in your intestines, is important in regulating immune function and inflammation.
Eat Fermented Foods (if they are right for you at the time). Adding fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and kefir into your diet can help support a diverse and healthy gut microbiome. A diet high in plant foods will provide the necessary fuel for beneficial bacteria to thrive.
Avoiding unnecessary antibiotics and other medications (when possible-DON’T stop any meds without discussing them with your doctor!) Antibiotics and medications can disrupt the gut microbiome.
How Does an Anti-Inflammatory Diet Work?
Inflammation is a natural immune response to injury or infection, but in autoimmune diseases, the body’s inflammatory response is misdirected, leading to chronic inflammation that damages tissues and organs. An anti-inflammatory diet reduces this chronic inflammation by eliminating foods that trigger it and emphasizing those that fight it.
Key Components of an Anti-Inflammatory Whole Food Plant-Based Diet
Rainbow Foods like Fruits and Vegetables: These should make up the bulk of your diet, as they are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Berries, leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and cauliflower), and colorful vegetables (like bell peppers and carrots) are very anti-inflammatory.
Don’t Fear Healthy Fats: Incorporate sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts, which are anti-inflammatory. Avocados and olives are also great sources of healthy fats.
Herbs and Spices: Turmeric, ginger, garlic, cinnamon and all aromatic herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary are known for their anti-inflammatory effects. Using these can enhance flavor while supporting your health.
Sprouted Whole Grains as tolerated: Choose whole grains like brown rice, and oats, and pseudo grains like quinoa and buckwheat which are high in fiber and nutrients. These help stabilize blood sugar levels and support gut health.
Sprouted Legumes: Beans, lentils, and peas are excellent sources of plant-based protein and fiber which help regulate blood sugar and provide sustained energy.
Foods to Avoid
Refined Sugars and Carbohydrates: These foods can cause spikes in blood sugar and lead to increased inflammation. They also lead to weight gain which increases autoimmune symptoms.
Processed Foods: Foods that are high in trans fats, are cooked in oils, and that include additives, and preservatives can trigger inflammation and should be avoided.
Dairy and Gluten: It may be beneficial to eliminate these from your diet for a period (6+ months) to see if symptoms improve.
Adopting an anti-inflammatory whole food plant-based diet is a powerful way to manage autoimmune diseases, but it’s most effective when combined with other positive changes. By focusing on stress management, physical activity, quality sleep, and avoiding toxins, you can take control of your health and support your body in healing and thriving despite autoimmune challenges.
Remember, while genetics play a role in autoimmune diseases, they do not define your destiny. Take proactive steps to support your immune system. You can reduce your risk of developing autoimmune diseases, manage, and even reverse your disease more effectively. The key is to start where you are and make gradual, sustainable changes that fit your life and needs.
Progress over perfection! Your health is in your hands, and with the right tools and knowledge, you can make a positive impact on your health.
Take Control of Your Health Today
While genetics play a significant role in autoimmune diseases, they are not your destiny. By adopting an anti-inflammatory whole food plant-based diet, managing stress, staying active, getting quality sleep, and avoiding environmental toxins, you can take proactive steps to support your immune system and improve your health.
Are you ready to learn more about how to protect your liver and support your immune health? Join us for our Love Your Liver Masterclass on September 30th. This free class will cover the foods, herbs, and lifestyle changes that can help you protect your liver, reduce inflammation, and support overall wellness. Whether you’re dealing with an autoimmune condition or simply want to optimize your health, this class is for you.
Click here to sign up and take the first step toward a healthier, more vibrant you!
https://pathology.jhu.edu/autoimmune/prevalence
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9918670/
https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/02/women-autoimmune.html
Wholistic Jen 
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