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By now there is a great deal of scientific data that links autoimmune diseases to food hypersensitivities. Fortunately, if we exclude rheumatic arthritis , these pathologies are not very frequent among the population and their names are for the most part unfamiliar.
Recently, however, there has been a slight increase in the diffusion of several forms of lupus (for which an anti-intolerance diet can prove quite useful) and to a significant rise in the incidence of autoimmune diseases in women.
Since it has been proven that the female immune system is more powerful and resistant to infections than that of males, this makes females more vulnerable to these pathologies than males.
In the presence of a persistent stimulus to the immune system, like the one created by the pollution that besieges us, the immune system can literally go haywire. This leads to the appearance of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, erythematous lupus, discoid lupus, multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases as well as thyroiditis.
The knowledge that even cryoglobulinemia can be effectively controlled by way of a diet that takes into consideration food intolerances and insulin production (Ferri C et al, Low antigen content diet in the treatment of patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia Am J Med 1989; 87;5:519-524), opens up broad possibilities for experts in their treatment of all inflammatory and autoimmune pathologies.
Even in the case of SLE, we can point out the fact that the IgE's increase considerably in the patient, even when atopy is absent (Elkayam O et al, Serum IgE concentrations, disease activity, and atopic disorders in systemic lupus erythematosus, Allergy, 1995, 50;1:94-96). The results of clinical experience of a dietary nature on vasculitis (Lunardi C et al, Elimination diet in the treatment of selected patients with hypersensitivity vasculitis, Clin Exp Rheumatol 1992; 10:131-135) are quite rewarding: many cases of hypersensitivity-induced vascultis can actually be cured if they are treated with the proper hypoallergenic dietary regime.
In the same way, Vitiligo (Koga M et al, Soluble IL-2 receptor levels in patients with vitiligo, ACI News (suppl. 2), 1994; 186) can be slowed down and often its evolution can be halted by the regulation of food hypersensitivities: we're referring to the type B form, that is, the one that doesn't have a dermatomatic distribution and in which discreet levels of IL-2 can be found. In this case, it would seem fairly plausible that the phenomenon would show up just like the result of a subliminal inflammatory fact which surely occurred repeatedly in the course of the patient's life.
Along with the ones that we have already pointed out, several interesting studies discuss how the presence of anti -brewer's yeast antibodies takes on considerable clinical importance in certain pathologies (particularly Crohn's disease and partly in ulcerative colitis). Similarly, more recent research (Am J Gastroenterology 2001 Jan; 96(1):252-253) mentions the presence of ASCA even in hepatic autoimmune pathologies.
This data should be kept well in mind in the clinical setting. We must remember that hypersensitivity to yeast is frequently found in cases of hepatomia as well as the fact that the anti-hepatitis B vaccine is derived from genetically engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae and there has yet been no study that evaluates the possible induction of antibodies towards it.
Treatment of patients with autoimmune diseases
When treating these forms, a doctor must take the responsibility to adapt and guide the patient's use of drugs and the necessary dietary changes that may be necessary. In numerous cases ( in SLE for example) it's useful to explain to the patient how his immune system functions and encourage his understanding of the emotional, dietary and toxicological factors that may have facilitated or stimulated the outbreak of the autoimmune disease.
The first steps in the formulation of therapy-which do not call for the suspension of the normally used drugs- consist in a study of the diet: the persistent inflammation that is the cause of considerable harmful effects within the body must be reduced. An investigation of possible food intolerances must be performed and the patient must be treated in accordance with his possibilities and willingness to change habits that may often be deeply entrenched.
When the symptoms become more easily treatable - not just with huge quantities of cortisone, but with softer methods- and the massive cortisone doses that were indispensable can be reduced to a more human level (along with their side-effects), even the dimensions of the illness start to become less severe. What's more, the resulting boost in self-esteem or the fact of facing other latent psychological dynamics offers support and reinforcement to the immune system.
Since these are for the most part disabling diseases, their therapy should be considered from all possible points of view, including psychology. Let's think of the human body as if it were a castle. The immune system, with its cells concentrated in those points which have the most contact with the outside world, would surely represent the troops that are positioned on the ramparts to spot and fight off enemy attacks.
But what lies inside of the castle that must be defended with such force? Enclosed within we find autonomy, a person's specific individuality. As a matter of fact, like Rita Levi Montalcini states, when this sense of autonomy is threatened, an alarm reaction is set off. By way of the NGF it can cause the activation of important immunological and allergic reactions.
When this autonomy is menaced, perhaps by family problems, physical trauma, strong emotions, or important choices that can change one's life, a person's sense of individuality can be called into question and thus disturb the functioning of the immune system in the same way as external attacks do.
Therapy
Let's take a look at two autoimmune diseases that are frequent and easily identifiable even for a generic doctor
Thyroiditis and vasculitis can be greatly improved by dietary regulation to the extent that a controlled diet can reduce the level of histamine in circulation as well as the activation on the T lymphocytes and therefore reduce the presence of interleukin 6 (IL-6), an inflammatory interleukin.
This is obtained by way of the activation and modulation of interleukin 10 (IL- 10) which is a regulatory interleukin that acts to reduce inflammatory immune reactions. Since this phenomenon is linked to the activation of the T cells, it's important to consider the possible use of fatty acids, 0mega-3 in particular. We know that omega -3 fatty acids have an inhibiting action on the TH1 as well as on the Th 2 responses. Omega -6, on the other hand, usually only acts upon the Th1 response.
The diet's action often resolves the inflammatory and vascular symptoms that accompany vasculitis forms. The course of the pathology must be followed by monitoring the C3 and C4 levels and finally the activation of its completion. Over the course of time, it's also necessary to evaluate variations in non-specific hypergammaglobulinemia which is usually associated with this type of pathology.
The appropriate diet in this case, like the one for rheumatic arthritis, often requires periods that are longer than average, although not as long as for rheumatic arthritis. However, while the few weeks that are necessary for a problem like colitis can be used as a measure of comparison, in this situation weeks or months are needed to stabilize the symptoms..
When food hypersensitivities are very present in the usual diet, it's important to use hyposensitizers or Orthohistaminum which can help to filter the inflammatory aspect of these pathologies.
As we have already said, the emotional aspect must always be taken into consideration. A complete therapy must therefore contemplate the inflammatory, psycho-emotional, specific nutritional supplementation (such as omega-3 ), as well as dietary aspects and not just in terms of food, but also from the point of view of the intake of several fundamental minerals such as Manganese, Zinc and Copper.
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