The Digestive System & Autoimmune Disease

Many people suffer the symptoms of poor digestion eg. heartburn  reflux, diarrhoea, constipation. Symptoms may relate to digestive problems such as 'leaky gut', bacterial overgrowth, and/or food allergies and intolerances etc. Digestive disorders are often ignored until something goes wrong or health deteriorates. We believe it's important to take care of your digestion first and at all times. Your digestive system has a huge and complicated job to do in converting foods into useful building blocks. It is home to 80% of the body's immune system responsible for identifying toxins, contaminants and disease agents.

 

Typically, poor digestion doesn't directly lead to thyroid dysfunction, although intestinal permeability ('leaky gut') is a known trigger of autoimmune disease in genetically susceptible individuals*. ​ Left untreated it could lead to thyroid and other autoimmune disorders like Grave's Disease or Hashimoto's thryoiditis. Malabsorption may also result from autoimmune diseases such as pernicious anemia leading to B12 and iron deficiency.

 

To develop an autoimmune disease you must have a genetic pre-disposition for that disease - a faulty gene that, in the presence of the right 'trigger' (environmental toxin, psychological stress, illness etc.), causes the immune system to attack the body's own cells.  Fewer than 10% of those with an increased genetic susceptibility develop clinical disease naturally. Evidence suggests a strong environmental trigger is required**. 

If you suffer from any autoimmune disease it's important to ensure your digestion is working properly. The good news is  digestive disorders may be overcome and a damaged gut healed through specific treatment from a qualified practitioner combined with appropriate changes in diet & lifestyle.