July 23rd, 2012
By Craig Fear
When Amy walked in my office for my free initial consult, I wasn’t sure I could help her. She came to me seeking help for a rare autoimmune disease called Behcet’s disease (pronounced Beh SHETS) which is characterized by inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body.
Autoimmune diseases are conditions where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. Multiple sclerosis, lupus, type 1 diabetes, hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and parkinson’s are some of the more well-known autoimmune diseases.
Behcet’s disease is one of about 100 autoimmune diseases that afflict some 24 million Americans. That’s 1 out of every 12 Americans. And they afflict women more than men, 1 out of 9, to be exact. They are the number two cause of chronic illness in America and one of the leading causes of death for women under the age of 65.
Here’s the scary part. The incidence of autoimmune diseases has tripled in the past few decades.
Why? What’s going on?
No one knows for sure but the evidence, like so many of our chronic diseases, points to industrialized living. Rates of autoimmune diseases are significantly higher in industrialized countries. Exposures to thousands of man made pollutants and chemicals in our food and environment are wreaking havoc with our body, in particular, our immune system.
We all carry a toxic burden as a result of our everyday exposure to chemicals in our food, water, air, house hold cleaning products and personal care products like toothpaste, shampoo, soaps, sunscreens, antiperspirants and makeup.
And while I certainly educate people on all these various exposures, the place I really focus as a Nutritional Therapist is diet.
And that’s where I focused with Amy.
When I looked at Amy’s diet in our initial consult, I knew there was major room for improvement. Amy was eating a lot of starchy carbohydrates, refined flours and processed foods. She’d told me she’d been eating this way for decades.
Amy was overweight, lacked energy, had high blood pressure and was also taking medication for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Barrett’s esophagus and poor sleep and migraines.
I explained to Amy that while I didn’t know if dietary changes would help her autoimmune disease, I expected she would see improvements in her energy as well as slow and steady weight loss. I also expected her other symptoms to improve as well.
Amy was eager to wean herself off her powerful immunosuppressive medications and wanted to learn more about diet and nutrition so she signed up for my three month program.
The results Amy experienced, after decades of suffering, was nothing short of dramatic. So dramatic, it even surprised me. She experienced a major remission in her symptoms from Behcet’s. She lost weight (25 pounds to be exact), her blood pressure normalized, she had much more energy and she greatly reduced her use of medications.
Over the course of the next few blogs, I will detail the work Amy and I did together over the three months. In the process, my hope is that this blog series will offer hope to those suffering with autoimmune diseases.
While I would never claim that nutrition is a cure or will help everyone with autoimmune issues, the fact remains that autoimmune issues are skyrocketing and few people are given any dietary information.
As an example, when I googled “Bechet’s Disease”, the first site that came up was the website for The American Behcet’s Disease Association. It read like a typical health organization website.
There were pages devoted to symptoms, diagnosis and drug treatments (16 to be exact). Pages full of boards of doctors, research and conferences. And of course, pages to donate for more research. While I am not discounting the benefits this website may offer, not a single word on this extensive website was devoted to diet.
Sadly, there are few doctors who understand the power of real food to help their patients with autoimmune issues. And there are fewer health organizations that understand it.
Amy and I worked with the principles of traditional diets. These principles include healthy animal fats from wild or pastured sources, fermented foods, raw milk, properly prepared grains and the use of bone stocks to name a few. Furthermore, these principles exclude factory farmed animal products, refined sugars, refined grains and all manner of processed foods which promote inflammation in the body.
I work with all my clients on these principles.
If you are unfamiliar with these principles, a good place to start would be the website for the Weston A. Price Foundation, www.westonaprice.org. Weston Price was a dentist who studied the diets of traditional cultures in the 1930s and found remarkably better health compared to more industrialized societies.
In the next blog, we’ll hear from Amy herself as she details the work we did together and the changes she experienced.
Stay tuned.
Hi, my name is Craig Fear. And yes, that 's my real last name. Welcome to Fearless Eating, my blog about traditional foods where I dismantle common food myths and help you eat, well... fearlessly!
I'm also a certified Nutritional Therapist as well as a GAPS certified practitioner. My practice, Pioneer Valley Nutritional Therapy, is located in Northampton, Massachusetts.
I’m so happy for your client. Anecdotally, I have also experienced vast improvement with another autoimmune disease myself, psoriasis. It used to affect me a great deal, with big, painful, bleeding cracks in my hands and feet. After I changed my diet, it went down to zero.
Ah yes, psoriasis. That’s a big one too. Great to hear that it’s completely gone now. It’s amazing how simple dietary changes can reverse things we’ve dealt with for so long. Thanks for sharing, Jen.
Hi Jen, I was glad to read your comment because I suffer from psoriasis as well. I would be interested to hear your story. I have been eating following WP principles for a while now and I have experienced many benefits (lower blood pressure, more energy, less foggy brain, small amount of weight loss) but I have had no relief with my psoriasis. If you don’t mind you could reach me directly at [email protected]
Candis
My hands and feet were horrible this past winter. I had the cracks and bleeding constantly and nothing would help. My diet was good, raw milk, fermented, whole food etc. but my psoriasis was painful and embarrassing. I just happened to catch a passing reference to psoriasis and plantain. For those that don’t recognize the name, plantain is a weed. You probably have it in your yard right now. Anyway, I rubbed the raw leaf on my outbreaks. Made a tea and drank a cup or two daily and soaked my feet in this before retiring at night. In the meantime, I had some leaves soaking in the sun in olive oil. After 2 weeks, I coat my *ahem* now clean hands with this oil twice a day to keep the outbreaks away. I haven’t had a problem all summer. Try it and see if it works for you. I still drink the tea but not twice a day. I just add it to anything else I’m drinking.
Just passing througamh, dealing with Mom issues, eating and she’s in hospital. Am a very good eater (whole grains,fresh veg, home cooking, etc.) Noticed the psoriasis mention, which I have, and plan to read through all this. Have Liked on FB, but if you could send me any links and a summary, since I am working full time and trying to manage Mom and do her bills, that would be great!
Hi Robin,
Check out the video on my latest blog. I think it’s what you’re looking for: http://www.pvnutritionaltherapy.com/how-a-medical-doctor-reversed-her-autoimmune-disease/
CassandraProbe | Making Awareness for Autoimmune Diseases Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff preivous to and you’re just too fantastic. I really like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise. I cant wait to read far more CassandraProbe | Making Awareness for Autoimmune Diseases again from you. Thanks For Share .
Let us not forget celiac disease, for which the only treatment is a diet free of gluten-containing grains!
Actually gluten free is a treatment for celiac but the GAPS diet can HEAL celiac.
Speaking of using diet to improve autoimmune disease, here is a clip I found a few months ago about a physician who had a serious case of multiple sclerosis - she changed her diet and went from being in a wheel chair to being an avid bicyclist in just a few months.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc
Hey you’re jumping the gun on me!! I’m posting that vid as part of part III in a few weeks.
After just a couple of months of the diet changes recommended by NT, I’m no longer experiencing ulcerative colitis symptoms. And I just feel great in general too.
Autoimmune diseases Is a complex issue. I will enjoy reading about this work. I am dealing with Hypothyroid, and have become very aware of modern medicines failure to understand this and other diseases.
[...] In part I gave a brief overview of autoimmune diseases with a focus on how I helped my client, Amy, change her diet. In part II we heard from Amy herself as she discussed the dramatic improvements it made in her in her life-long battle with a rare autoimmune condition. [...]
This is very interesting to me. I have been following a WAPF diet (80/20 rule) and did an elimination diet/detox about 2 years ago, but am still struggling with linear morphea - an autoimmune disease (also called linear scleroderma). It’s on my leg and I fear it is spreading and getting worse. I’d love to control this with diet as opposed to Dovonex or other topical creams or any other medications. Have you ever dealt with this with a client?
Megan, that’s because people like this are just snake oil salesman. I’m sorry you are suffering. Keep strong and follow your gutt and try things out but always always always do your OWN research and be careful!!!
Hi Megan,
I have not worked with anyone with your issue. I would look into GAPS if you haven’t yet. It’s a demanding, intense diet, but it helps so many issues. Good luck on your journey.
Craig AKA The Snake Oil Salesman
Hi Megan, I have had linear scleroderma for 6 years on my leg as well, its not supposed to spread. Stay healthy, eat well, look for anti inflammatory naturally like camomile per example but above all, AVOID STRESS !!! anything you can do to avoid stress is crucial. Best of luck to you.
The reason ABDA does not list anything about diet is because there is no hard science to prove anything and it is something that is unique to each individual, just as the rest of treatment is. People have food allergies and all sorts of other issues as well. Diet, exercise, alternative treatments are things that are all discussed within the context and support of the members and organization of ABDA and I personally take offense to you not doing your proper research before making such a scathing remark for your own personal gain! Did you also know that all of the board members of the organization are VOLUNTEERS, some of whom are sick themselves??? And to try to make it out like all autoimmune diseases can be cured or vastly improved simply by a change in diet is naive! To what would you then attribute those who have been born with Behcet’s (or other AI’s) or were diagnosed in childhood? To those who made many dietary changes without improvement or it proved to actually make them WORSE, what would you say then? There is no one size fits all, cure all. I ALMOST could have commended you for your work but honestly it seems dangerous and self serving (motivated by money!!!). Who in the world do you think you are, telling someone to use raw milk who has an AI, especially if they are on immunosuppressants. Sheesh! You make me very sad. Had this actually been worth something and you not just out to try to further your career, I would have passed this all over the place.
Actually, GAPS is more than a simple diet change. If you have not done your research on GAPS, you would not understand how many people benefit from it in many different ways. There are so many man made chemicals and poisons in fresh and processed foods. GAPS is designed to nourish the body with fresh wholesome foods. The gut brain connection is nothing new, but more people need to understand an apply the priciples for better health. My husband has been able to discontinue medications he had previously been on for 15 years. My daughter has recovered from being hypoglycemic 2-3 times a month. I could have ignored this GAPS diet and been a typical SAD (Standard American Diet) follower, but my daughter would have eventually become a Type 2 Diabetic. Tiffanie, I really wish before you go about demeaning others for trying to improve their health, you get all of the facts and underlying principles and avoid making yourself look so angry and ignorant. Blessings.
Tiffanie,
I’m sure there are lots of good people who work for the ABDA and I did not mean any disrespect. That being said, your angry tone is really difficult to take and leaves no room for a healthy discussion. I clearly stated nutrition is not a cure for AI issues. I simply was sharing a client’s experience so that others might find a little hope. No, diet doesn’t work for all AI issues, but it helps many people. I’ve done enough research to know that. I would echo Christine’s words and suggest you check out the GAPS diet protocol. You just might find some hope where you’ve haven’t before. Best to you.
Tiffanie all of us are on a quest to understand and hopefully learn enough to empower ourselves with information. Many of us share what has or has not worked for us. That is not to say that what works for one will work for another. If you have been hurt by someone under the guise of help then I am very sorry you had to have that experience but please save the judgement for another venue. We are just all trying learn and offer our own stories. Peace to you and yours.
Is ADD and ODD autoimmune diseases? I don’t understand these.
Hi Susan,
No, they are not autoimmune diseases. They are behavioral disorders.
[...] And this happened recently with Amy, my client that I featured in my last blog series on autoimmune diseases. [...]
[...] I found this article, “How the Weston Price Diet Can Help Autoimmune Diseases” just [...]
[...] How the Weston Price Diet Helped My Client by Fearless Eating [...]
Hi! I stumbled upon your post when I searched for WAP and autoimmune disease. I suffer from Wegener’s disease (GPA or granulamatosis with polyangitis). I was wondering if any of you have any experience with treating this disease with diet. I underwent a lot of chemo/steroids/suppressants, am doing “well”, and would like to acheive/stay in remission utilizing diet (against medical advice). I just recently saw an NTP and learned about WAP. I have always avoided refined, processed products, am extremely athletic, young, and eat organic whole foods (although I seem to be slightly lacking in fats and proteins). Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated
My email is [email protected]
I have postmenopausal gout and polymyalgia according to the rheumatologist who wanted to start me on allopurinol and watch the side effects. I declined. I have been a member of WAPF for at least 10 years. I tried the GAPs for a month or two but having a family and being restricted on my own food is hard. Today I had a massive reaction and my knuckles on my right hand are all swollen, I can barely walk, my left thumb is swollen, and my index fingers and my big toes have tophi. I ate salmon last night which appears salmon may be a problem (The Plan by Lyn-Genet). I do not eat any gluten. Only grain I eat is rice. I have eliminated dairy. We do not eat any processed foods. I drink now only mineral water with cherry concentrate. Stopped drinking tea because new reports indicate tea as a culprit. Stopped the raw honey in the tea too because Mercola and others say fructose is the problem. I have no clue anymore. Does anyone have any recommendations?