7 Facts About Autoimmunity And Fasting You Must Know

5Toxin Exposure And Autoimmune Diseases

Although you may be health-conscious, you are always at constant risk of exposure to toxins. You can be exposed to toxins from non-organic foods, the air around us, conventional body care products, cleaning products, cigarette smoke, plastics, municipal tap water, etc. According to research, the average person's body is exposed to and has to deal with more than 500 different toxins.

Prolonged exposure to toxic compounds can be overwhelming to the immune system. It almost always leads to an autoimmune response. Some of the toxins you might be exposed to every day include toxic molds, pesticides (from foods), mycotoxins, heavy metals (mercury in amalgam dental fillings), and certain processed foods.

6Chronic Stress And Autoimmune Diseases

Chronic stress also triggers the increased presence of adrenaline and cortisol in the blood. Under normal circumstances, these hormones are only produced in flight-fight response conditions. The amplified presence of these hormones may thus cause chronic inflammation.

This may lead to gut imbalance and autoimmune response. Most people dealing with chronic stress tend to find refuge in unhealthy lifestyles and dietary choices. These choices, especially eating inflammatory and sugary foods, smoking, and lack of exercise, only make the risk of gut dysbiosis, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases even higher.

7Nutrient Deficiencies And An Unhealthy Diet

Unhealthy dietary choices almost always lead to nutrient deficiencies. This can increase your risk of developing an autoimmune disease. It is thus advisable to increase your intake of nutrient-dense greens, fresh veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats to combat this.

Nutritional deficiencies play a significant role in autoimmune disorders. Make sure that your body gets enough B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, glutathione, selenium, vitamin D, and magnesium, among other essential nutrients. The condition will worsen if you don't.

Autoimmune diseases are increasingly popular today, with millions of people forced to live with them. You, however, have an option to reduce the risk of contracting these conditions. Living a healthy lifestyle, being mindful of what you eat, and fasting can help improve your odds. It is never too late to make the right decision. Take time to understand how particular choices and lifestyles can affect your life and, more importantly, your health, then make a wise decision.

In this article, you learned what autoimmune diseases are and the major factors that are involved in their development and progression. We discussed how fasting could impact your immune system and shared with you some strategies to help you begin fasting. You now understand how to use these methods and how often to practice fasting to improve your immune system and relieve autoimmune conditions.