Managing Autoimmunity
Autoimmunity is when our immune system is not working for us, but against us, resulting in systemic inflammation.
Australia is facing an epidemic of autoimmune disorders, with immune diseases among the fastest growing chronic conditions in Australia. So, why are our own immune systems attacking our tissues and organs? And more importantly, how can we resolve this?
Natural Clinic Clinical Guide to Managing Autoimmunity
Book your appointment with a qualified practitioner who will…
Work with you to determine underlying causes of your autoimmune condition
Assess for, and treat imbalance in gut bacteria as a key driving factor for autoimmunity
Provide expert dietary and lifestyle coaching to heal your gut lining and reduce inflammation
Give you access to practitioner-grade nutritional and herbal medicine tailored to you to provide relief of symptoms
Book now to beat your autoimmune condition.
Book AppointmentTo learn more about autoimmunity and kickstart the healing process,
read on for our Natural Clinic Clinical Guide to Managing Autoimmunity.
Natural Clinic Autoimmunity Consult: $75
-
30-minute naturopathic consult to treat drivers of systemic inflammation and autoimmunity
-
Facilitation of further testing, where appropriate
-
Access to practitioner-grade products
-
Prescriptions for custom-made products designed especially for you:
-
Liquid herbal formulas
-
Compounded creams
-
Compounded nutritionals
-
Written treatment plan, including dietary and lifestyle advice, to help you stay on
track
Natural Clinic Clinical Guide to Managing Autoimmunity
WHAT IS IT?
In autoimmune conditions, the body’s immune cells are attacking the very cells they are meant to protect. This occurs when there is interruption or abnormality in the way that our immune cells (lymphocytes) can detect our “self” from “non-self”. When lymphocytes begin to attack and degrade our “self” cells and tissues, this results in:
- Stimulation of an organ into excessive growth, i.e. tissue proliferation
- Interference in the tissue or organ’s function
Autoimmunity may cause a range of inflammatory symptoms
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Aching muscles
- Swelling, redness
- Hair loss
- Skin rashes
- Brain fog
- Abdominal pain
- Digestive dysfunction
CAUSES AND TRIGGERS
In our integrated practice we consider autoimmune conditions to be a result of disruption to the microbiome in the gut, as well as to dysfunction of adrenal glands, overall digestive function, and altered immune responses.
The inability to digest food proteins means that these particles can become antigens, triggering the immune system to initiate an inflammatory response. If you are eating foods you are intolerant to everyday, the inflammation in the body will continue to build.
A more permeable, or weakened gastrointestinal lining will allow toxins to migrate from the gut into the bloodstream where they don’t belong. This rings alarm bells in the immune system and stimulates a cascade of inflammatory reactions.
An imbalance in the bacteria in the gut wreaks havoc on the gut lining, deranges the immune system, and leads to more food sensitivities that will further drive inflammation.
High antigen and toxic load in the bloodstream can burden the liver’s detoxification processes. This causes an increased uptake of toxins in the bowels to further sustain the autoimmune process.
Chemical and heavy metal exposure disrupts the endocrine system and is associated with immune system dysfunction and inflammation.
The ultimate driver of autoimmune disease, and can be a result of excess fat, poor diet, food intolerances, nutrient deficiencies and toxic environments.
Bacterial, viral and parasitic infections can trigger autoimmunity through persistent or abnormal activation of the immune system, and they can enhance the activation of “self” antigen presenting cells to create a systemic inflammatory response.
Stress amplifies cytokine and inflammatory responses which can then trigger immune dysregulation. Stress also enhances intestinal permeability and inflammation of the gut which in turn exacerbates autoimmune presentations.
Chemical and heavy metal exposure disrupts the endocrine system and is associated with immune system dysfunction and inflammation.
The ultimate driver of autoimmune disease, and can be a result of excess fat, poor diet, food intolerances, nutrient deficiencies and toxic environments.
Bacterial, viral and parasitic infections can trigger autoimmunity through persistent or abnormal activation of the immune system, and they can enhance the activation of “self” antigen presenting cells to create a systemic inflammatory response.
Stress amplifies cytokine and inflammatory responses which can then trigger immune dysregulation. Stress also enhances intestinal permeability and inflammation of the gut which in turn exacerbates autoimmune presentations.
Find out what is driving your autoimmune condition with a one-on-on consultation today.
Remove the guessing-game and get results.How your diet plays a role
The dietary solution for managing autoimmunity and inflammation is actually quite simple: eat more anti-inflammatory foods, and eat less inflammatory foods. Our top 3 recommendations are:
Avoid gluten
Increase vegetables
Avoid processed, refined vegetable seed oils
Including a wide variety of seasonal produce
Aim to have 2-3 serves of fruits and vegetables a day to increase your nutrient and phytochemical content that will protect against inflammation and oxidative stress. Plant-rich diets will also support diversity of good microbes in the gut.
Increase healthy fats
Include cold-pressed olive oil, walnuts, macadamias, fish, grass-fed meat, and ghee to your diet to reduce inflammation. Avoid saturated fats in processed vegetable oils, cured meats, cakes, biscuits, pastries etc.
Increase polyphenol rich foods
To help heal your gut lining and reduce inflammation, consume green tea, organic cacao, organic berries, turmeric, olives.
Include high-fibre wholegrains
Spelt sourdough, brown rice, oats, buckwheat flour, cooked quinoa.
Avoid gluten
Healthy gluten free options include buckwheat and pulse pastas, paleo or gluten-free bread, gluten-free oats, and quinoa.
Avoid alcohol
Stick to clear spirits and soda water with citrus if consuming alcohol (gin, tequila, vodka).
Avoid dairy where possible
Dairy can trigger inflammation and may cause dysregulation in the immune response. Dairy intolerance is common in autoimmune presentations.
Pharmaceutical and conventional treatments for Autoimmunity:
- Immunosuppressant medications
- Steroids to block inflammation
- Colchicine
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Imuran
Natural treatments to manage your autoimmunity
To reduce inflammation, with particular effectiveness in reducing inflammation in arthritis presentations.
To heal the gastrointestinal lining, reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, and foster the growth of beneficial gut species.
To reduce inflammation via multiple cellular mechanisms and to normalise signaling pathways in immune responses to reduce autoimmunity.
To correct dysbiosis in the gut microbiome so that gut inflammation is reduced, and to positively improve systemic immune responses.
Zinc is highly important for its strong anti-inflammatory activity and it is a key nutrient in directing all immune activity. Zinc deficiency is common in those with autoimmune conditions so it is important to replenish stores.
Inhibits pro-inflammatory activity, modulates immune response and vitamin D3 deficiency is common implicated in autoimmune conditions.
Anti-inflammatory Nutritional Compound
We can compound your very own, individualised nutritional formula with nutrients and therapeutic dosages to reduce inflammation and manage autoimmunity.
Invest in a product designed for you- a product not available anywhere else.
Speak to one of our practitioners for access to your very own custom nutritional formula to make you less reactive to foods and allergens.
The benefits:
- Ease & convenience of taking only one supplement
- Your body is unique to you. Your medicine should also be unique to you.
- Avoid the inconcenience of supplements in your protocol running out at different times.
- Dosing is specific to your metabolic needs & deficiencies.
- Formula can be adjusted over time to support each stage of the healing process.
Speak to one of our practitioners.
Book NowTake control of your health today
Book your Natural Clinic Autoimmunity Consult for professional advice.
Georgia Fugar
Clinical Naturopath
Book a Consult with GeorgiaAreas of interest
- Women’s health
- Skin disorders
- SIBO
- Gut health
- Mental health
Georgia is a passionate naturopath with particular clinical focus on supporting mental health, hormonal disorders, gut health and auto-immunity. With a long-standing interest in human biochemistry and its interplay with nutritional and herbal medicines, Georgia uses a range of standard and functional testing to determine the root cause of patient symptoms and provide treatment that is highly tailored and clinical.
Thorough education around all symptoms, disease pathophysiology and treatment options can be expected from a consultation with Georgia, reflecting the importance of education as the first tool to achieving any health outcome. Continuous appraisal of progress throughout treatment protocols ensures that you leave feeling supported and confident in the healing process.
Georgia aims to correct imbalances on the deepest cellular and biochemical level to ensure healing occurs from the inside out.
Tayla Lovering
Clinical Naturopath
Book a Consult with Tayla LoveringAreas of interest
- Digestive
- Skin health
- Mental health
- Migraines
- General health
- Fertility + pregnancy + post partum
Tayla is a qualified Naturopath with a passion for gut health, hormonal health (both males and females), fertility and mental health. Tayla combines clinical case taking, pathology and functional laboratory testing to get to the root cause of your symptoms. Her approach is truly wholistic and she will spend the time to uncover the uniqueness of your health.
A remarkably empathic practitioner with a real gift for making patients feel supported. Tayla understands how overwhelming it can feel to embark on a healing journey and focuses on simplifying this for you in a step-by-step manner, whilst also making changes that fit you and your lifestyle. Tayla has a particular passion for establishing a healthy foundation for her clients, so they can avoid traveling down the same path that led them here.
Tayla is happiest when amongst nature and when communicating with fellow humans. Tayla grew up on a farm on the beautiful Kangaroo Island of South Australia and quickly learnt the value of nature’s healing powers after her time at boarding school where she noticed nutrition and lifestyle choices began reflecting poor health.
Annie Stewart
Clinical Naturopath
Book a Consult with Annie StewartAreas of interest
- Sports performance and recovery
- Digestive conditions
- Mental health
- Men & women's health
Annie is a qualified Naturopath who considers herself a bit of a “professional generalist”. With experience treating a wide array of conditions, Annie particularly finds those more challenging multifaceted cases fulfilling. Her adventurous curiosity is what drives Annie to get to the underlying cause of disease adopting a truly holistic approach with each patient.
With 5+ years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under her belt, Annie has a keen interest in helping athletes reach their sport performance goals and draws on her competition experience to achieve this.
Evidence based medicine underpins all of Annie’s clinical decisions. She regularly uses standard pathology and functional testing to establish base line health parameters, which are then used to refine her treatment approach for each client. Application of nutritional and herbal interventions with an emphasis on lifestyle and dietary education can be expected in a consult with Annie.
Diana Boot
Compounding Pharmacist & Nutritionist
Book a Consult with Diana BootAreas of interest
- De-prescribing – helping you to reduce your need for prescription medications
- Mental health
Digestive health
Women’s health
Diana is the Co-founder and Clinical Lead of Natural Chemist. She has practiced as a community pharmacist for over 30 years and as a Nutritionist for 12 years. She is continually learning to update her knowledge and is on track to graduate in 2023 as a Naturopath.
Diana is a rare combination of empathy, balance, maturity and knowledge. She listens and asks sensitive questions. She provides answers about what’s behind your presenting symptoms and she offers feasible, evidence-based solutions to help you regain optimal health.
Diana’s approach is truly integrative. Her training and experience put her in a unique position to advise what combination of conventional/mainstream and natural/alternative treatments are best for your situation.
Diana is also the senior partner in two independent community pharmacies in Sydney. She launched Natural Chemist in 2014 with her husband and business partner. Their goal was to work out how to take the level of service provided in their physical pharmacies and make it available for more people. Diana is supported by a wonderful and growing team of qualified professionals; all with the same dedicated focus on quality health outcomes.
Natural Clinic Autoimmunity Consult: $75
-
30-minute naturopathic consult to treat drivers of systemic inflammation and autoimmunity
-
Facilitation of further testing, where appropriate
-
Access to practitioner-grade products
-
Prescriptions for custom-made products designed especially for you:
-
Liquid herbal formulas
-
Compounded creams
-
Compounded nutritionals
-
Written treatment plan, including dietary and lifestyle advice, to help you stay on
track
References:
Smatti, M. K., Cyprian, F. S., Nasrallah, G. K., Al Thani, A. A., Almishal, R. O., & Yassine, H. M. (2019). Viruses and Autoimmunity: A Review on the Potential Interaction and Molecular Mechanisms. Viruses, 11(8), 762.
Sharif K, Watad A, Coplan L, Lichtbroun B, Krosser A, Lichtbroun M, Bragazzi NL, Amital H, Afek A, Shoenfeld Y. The role of stress in the mosaic of autoimmunity: An overlooked association. Autoimmun Rev. 2018 Oct;17(10):967-983.