Autoimmune disease affects up to 50 million Americans, according to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association. Why are so many people affected by these chronic pain conditions? There are a number of factors that may cause the human body to attack its own cells, some of which can be modified.

What lifestyle modifications can help improve autoimmune diseases?

Unfortunately, conventional treatment options often focus on solely relieving symptoms, in the belief that there are no cures for autoimmune diseases. However, autoimmune diseases still undergo cycles of flare-ups and remission. In accordance with Dr. Dempster, a healthcare professional in alternative treatment, functional medicine looks at your complete health picture by addressing fundamental factors of your biochemical, physical, and emotional well-being.

Why is this important? Your body naturally wants to become healthy and at a state of balance. Nonetheless, things occur to upset that balance. It’s believed that autoimmune disorders can be triggered by numerous factors, such as poor diet, chemical irritants, environmental toxins, pharmaceuticals, and even bacteria or germs, to name a couple. Individuals often undermine their health and that’s why it’s crucial to take a functional medicine approach.

Common Factors Behind Autoimmune Disorders

Diet: A quick glance at today’s supermarket shelves shows that the American diet is packed with highly processed foods, most of which have very little nutrient value, but carry varying amounts of detrimental chemicals and other components. Even so-called wellness foods are lacking in essential vitamins and minerals. Functional medicine practitioners are qualified to look into a patient’s diet in order to help determine the proper nutrition they should follow to achieve their desired health and wellness. A balanced diet can naturally improve autoimmune responses.

Chronic stress: Mental health, including stress, depression and anxiety, can have a direct effect on physical health. Today’s world supplies chronic stress than other occasions ever. Other websites and television supply a constant stream of crime violence and risks. Every night, many people don’t get enough sleep and some may suffer from insomnia related to stress. Most are overscheduled, overbooked and overrun, without the time for meditation and rejuvenation. Participating in stress management has been demonstrated to reduce chronic stress symptoms.

Toxins: Pesticides, antibiotic overuse, heavy metals, EMF pollution, pharmaceuticals, GMOs, heavily processed foods, poor water quality, smog and pollution runoff are only a couple of the elements of our daily lives that regularly serve up a load of toxins and impurities in the body. Over time, our bodies become less able to cope and fight off these effects. Research studies have concluded that exposure to harmful toxins can aggravate autoimmune disease symptoms.

Fortunately, functional medicine provides a means to get at the underlying causes of autoimmune disease using a systems-oriented approach, engaging practitioner and patient at a therapeutic partnership. Functional medicine is a much better approach to healthcare in the world of today, allowing chance for patients and healthcare professionals to examine environmental, lifestyle and genetic variables together. In an individualized manner, healthcare demands are addressed this way, acknowledging the special expression of well-being in every patient.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 . 

By Dr. Alex Jimenez

Additional Topics: Wellness

Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.

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