Did you know that 70-80 % of your immune system is in your digestive tract? Wouldn’t it make sense for those who suffer from autoimmune disease to start looking at the digestive track and why it is not functioning properly?
Meds, injections, pills, sure they help alleviate the symptoms but they do not mitigate the problem.
Shouldn’t we start focusing on the problem instead of quick solutions to alleviate symptoms? I do not want to be on all these serious drugs. Do you? And honestly, the drugs do not even alleviate much of the symptoms. They make them less intense but they are still there, now coupled with side effects from the serious drugs.
This is what I have been focusing on for the past couple months. What is causing my body to attack itself? What is causing my over production of TNF?
I strongly believe that RA is caused by something that is wrong with our digestive tract. Whether it be: born with digestive deformity, sustained trauma to the digestive from viruses, bacteria, alcohol, eating disorders, ect. SOMETHING is preventing those with autoimmune from receiving the nutrients that they need.
I do not for one second believe that I will have RA for the rest of my life.
I believe that once I can figure out what is going on, I can start making changes, which is what I have been doing. I will be going into deep detail in the coming weeks.
My first change was going gluten free. It took me about 4 months to do it. For the first 2 months, I started phasing out gluten and then once I felt that I was ready, I went 100% gluten free.
“It’s not that they can’t see the solution. They can’t see the problem.” - G.K. Chesterton
Why Gluten free?
The reason that I cut out gluten was because gluten is a molecule comprised of sugar and protein and it increases the body’s immune response to the body. Being that I have an autoimmune disease, it made sense to cut gluten because it was causing my already weakened immune system more distress which resulted in my body (mainly hand joints) to become inflamed.
So, when you consume gluten with an autoimmune disease, think of it as your body is in a constant state of irritation, ready to lash out if anything disrupts it (like stress).
Sugar, or foods with a high glycemic index increase cortisol levels as well. Cortisol is an important hormone in the body that is involved in the function of your glucose metabolism, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, regulating blood pressure, inflammatory responses and it is the body’s hormone response to stress.
So, when we wake up, we have naturally high cortisol levels. This serves as our natural boost of energy to start our day. As we get up and the day progresses, our body [is supposed to] decrease cortisol levels and go into a “relaxed response”. Relaxed is when our body is balanced and performs its normal functions. A relaxed response is where we operate best.
Unfortunately, in our current high-stress society, the body’s stress response is activated so often that the body doesn’t always have a chance to return to normal. This keeps the body in a state of chronic stress and if you mix in eating sugar, it adds fuel to the fire, resulting in a state of chronically high cortisol.
Stress = Increased cortisol.
Sugar (gluten)= Increased cortisol
Chronic Stress & Sugar Combination= Chronically high cortisol
Chronically high cortisol= A magnitude of problems.
More specifically for the immune compromised, it lowers immunity more and lowers the body’s inflammatory response.
Eating this way is very hard (mentally). You have to be disciplined and accountable. Sometimes it makes you feel socially awkward but remember,YOU have to fight for YOUR health. Never allow yourself to feel isolated or pressured. Do what is best for you and remember that others are out there fighting just like you, you’re not alone.
Let’s start with looking at what we eat.
Let’s start with looking at our health history.
Let’s start with looking at our lifestyle.
‘There are no foolish questions, and no man has become a fool until he stops asking questions.’ - Charles P. Steinmetz
When you can get off all your medications and still feel as fabulous as you say you do, let us all know. Thats what will mean something versus saying you can make yourself all better with diet and still taking medications. Lets be honest, you don’t really know what’s making the difference right now. So if you can stop all your RA medications and still function perfectly, that’s when you can show us all how great your plan is. until then, it’s a little too early to start preaching.
Hi Judy,
Thank you for commenting. Actually I can start preaching because I have gotten off of 2 of my 3 medications and I begin tapering off injections next week. I provide this blog as a way to educate and empower others with RA. I respectfully welcome challenging conversation however I will not welcome negativity. Negative thinking is far to prevalent in the RA community sadly.
RA is a difficult disease. Those that write mein a negative tone, are far to comfortable in their pain. A lot of people are comfortable in their disease, and it has become their identity. Even an excuse to some and a way of getting attention for others. It takes discipline, hard work and determination to kick RA’s ass and sadly most would rather accept being doomed instead of fighting for their life back. It has somehow become socially acceptable to maintain a level of apathy regarding ones health.
I do not mind that you are the way you are, I do not track you down and cast negative on the way that you live your life or doubt. So please do not do it to mine.
I believe and I will not be a victim.
All the Best.
From reader, Kay Bush- Your diet is SO important! The disease is there – it is chronic, but we call make the decision to fight it or let it fight you. For me, the methotrexate made me sicker and I could no longer tolerate it. The biologics made my lymph nodes swell and harden and I knew that lymphoma was just around the corner. Research made me realize that what we are putting into our bodies react with our immune systems and cause a rheumatic reaction. I have taken great pains to find out foods that flare my body, and I believe that everyone is different. I believe that going gluten free, eating high omega 3′s, staying away from red meat and all preservatives and chemicals is working for me. I still have pain and deformities, but I believe that the 3 years that it took to get diagnosed and having doctors fill me with meds that only masked it or made my digestive system worse. Losing the function of my thyroid during pregnancy cause massive weight gain and now that is slowly going away. Stress from trying to make an abusive relationship work and trying to keep a ranch and a teaching job going was the catalyst for the RA and Lupus to become a reality in my body. A divorce, taking a step back on disability while I get a handle on all of this mess, is allowing me to rebuild and get this horrible disease under control. Doctors, government, and drug companies willl not do it for us. We must take control of our bodies and what go into them. Bravo to you and your fight! THe longer we wait, the longer it takes to heal, in my opinion!
Thank you Kay and I wish you all the best in your fight. I love your fighter spirit!!
From Barry Jennings- After desperation, I met with a Nutritionist/ Compound Pharmacist who explained this very thing to me. He insisted that to begin to heal, I needed to release energy from my digestive system. He claim that by giving my digestive system a rest, it would get me on the road to wellness. I had been bedridden at the time. He put me on a strict diet where all I could eat were easily digested foods for 2 months. There was much more to it, but it got me up and walking and I feel this man and his theory saved my life. I have advanced greatly from that time and now fast periodically for this very reason. So much of your immune system is in your digestive system, that complimenting your medication and exercise regimens with a proper nutrition plan is key. This is my opinion, but I am living proof.
Thank you Barry, you are an amazing inspiration!
From Erick Olaes- ‘Wow! Talk about negative. First off, that kind of attitude will not improve anything with you and R.A.. I have gone through the same path that I know most people with R.A. go through. After having a really bad attack 5 years ago, I was told I would never walk again and my quality of life will never be the same. I gave in at first, thinking this is the path that was given to me. I was depressed, gained so much weight and was on so much medication it was getting hard to keep track. It was hard to see parents out at play with their children and I could do nothing. One day, I literally decided this was going to be the first day of my renewed life. I fought and fought hard to live as normal life as possible. I refused to be bound to a scooter for the rest of my life. I read everything I could to find out what triggered R.A. and what I could do to keep it under control without killing my body with medication. I had to make a big diet adjustment and began my exercise regimen pretty much what Angela wrote about. I was able to be on my own again and independent. I no longer had to have someone with me whenever I left the house. Today, I have 4 sponsors for my training that believe in my goal. That’s the difference between some of us with R.A. Some give in and some of us push for a better quality of life. You have to decide on the path that you will take. My pain was some of the worst that many Dr.’s have seen. I chose my path to fight and you chose your path to complain. Today I am off Enbrel and in remission. Remember 5 years ago I would never walk again and there wasn’t much hope for how life would be with RA for me. I take 1 medication and that is it
If they want me to elaborate more on what I went through, feel free to direct them to my blog at traintwolive.wordpress.com.
Erick you are amazing and I look forward to reading your blog posts!
From Yvette Coufal- Good for you !!! I see this occur on alot of the RA FB sites – I have been controlling my RA with diet without meds since being diagnosed April 2011 & symptoms since 2008. Diagnosed with severe RA & my labwork is normal now. There are always negative comments made. I applaud you in your fight against RA & for trying to educate people. What works for one may not work for someone else; however, to be negative & ugly about someone’s success is sad, especially if those people do not even try what others are doing that are succeeding. I am anxiously awaiting your “announcement” as well
Yvette, absolutely wonderful! Thank you for all your support and I am so happy for you! I am going to pick your brain
Hello, I believe you are on the right path. Since I went gluten free I have felt so much better and my autoimmune response is way down with clear thinking processes. I also added probiotics which I think help as well.
That is great Donna!What is your favorite gluten free meal? Probiotics are wonderful! Have you heard about digestive enzymes?
I am really happy with black beans a rice with salsa and avocado. I have used some digestive enzymes that my daughter gave me (she has cystic fibrosis) but didn’t notice a change. The probiotics made a big change for the good though.
I enjoy your blog and I’m a firm believer that diet has a huge effect. Unfortunately for me, even with all my dietary changes, I still have severe RA, and I do take a lot of medication as well. The only point I would make tho, is your comments on cortisol. Cortisol *lowers* inflammation in the body, which is why corticosteroids (prednisolone) are used as a treatment for RA. Of course you’re right in that chronically elevated cortisol causes a host of other health problems, which is why you shouldn’t stay on steroids long term. Thank you for posting what is working for you – it certainly gives me hope. Dietary changes is something that everyone can try, with nothing to lose.
Hi,
Thank you for commenting. I had no idea cortisol lowered inflammation. And yes, I mean in regards to chronic levels of cortisol. Absolutely fascinating. Thank you for pointing that out. Have you explored digestive enzymes?
Thank you to everyone who has written a comment and thanks for creating this blog. I am very new to RA, only told a couple of months ago. I am an extremely active person and don’t want this to slow me down. I am making changes to my diet and finding I have alot more energy and only have a a bad day once in a while. Your comments have been very inspiring and a huge help. Thank again.
Thanks for sharing that it took you 4 months to go completely gluten free. As you know already, I am in the process of changing a lot, including my diet and I have started phasing gluten out. It makes me feel better that it took you a few months too. I thought I was doing it wrong or by not completely cutting it out all at once, it wouldn’t work, but you’re right, it’s a mindset and although I am ready to make ALL these changes, you can’t do everything at once so I am taking it slow so I can do one thing at a time and not get overwhelmed. My mom made a gluten free cake for me the other day and surprisingly is was delicious!! Tastes the same to me! On the other hand, the gluten free crackers she got me are cardboard. =) So, just have to find what i’ll like and trial and error and i’ll be fine! i’m also taking Joannes advice and switching to vapor cigs on friday when i get a change to go down and get them and then ween off those. Doing other things also, but as far as diet, it really did help to know you didn’t just stop gluten in one day!
Yes, everything takes time and you have to do it at a pace that you are comfortable with. RA is unpredictable enough that when we try to implement our own changes it is very very difficult. We fins comfort in our routine and the things that we like and even changing one small thing like not eating our favorite toast can be very difficult. Make changes at your own pace and start where you can. And do not be embarrassed about your pace either. everyone works at their own pace. I am very proud of you! Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Thanks for sharing this precious information. I like your concern in the post which is very useful for me.I like your information which is very useful for me. Thanks.
osteoarthritis