Few autoimmune disorders are widely recognized by its name, like Type 1 Diabetes, but the rate of people who have autoimmune disorders is alarming.
Unfortunately, the prevalence is still on a persistent rise, and more people are being diagnosed every day.
What do you do if you or your loved one is experiencing any autoimmune disorder? In this article, we would discuss the best diet and lifestyle to help you manage autoimmune disorders.
What Is An Autoimmune Disease/Disorder?
An autoimmune disease happens when your body’s immune system starts to fight the healthy cells in the body. Normally, the immune system serves as a form of shield against foreign bodies such as bacteria and viruses. Still, with an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakes the body cells for foreign invaders. This would result in inflammation and other health conditions, and this is dependent on which tissues it attacks.
There are about 80 different autoimmune disorders that can affect any part of your body.
Researchers have still not been able to identify what makes the immune system attack its own body, but they believe that certain environmental and lifestyle factors play a role.
For instance, there are autoimmune disorders that happen as a result of excess smoking, exposure to heavy toxic metals, unhealthy diets, infections, and many more. Also, genetic and environmental components play a role in causing autoimmune diseases.
Common Autoimmune Problems
Just like we previously mentioned, there are over 80 different autoimmune diseases, these include:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Celiac disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Since the autoimmune disease can affect all parts of the body, the symptoms are diverse as well. The most common of the symptoms are:
- Skin problems
- Swollen glands
- Joint pain and swelling
- Tiredness
- Digestive related issues
If you have any autoimmune disorder and you are experiencing any of these symptoms, 
it would help if you know what to do so that you can get on with your daily activities easier.
The Best Autoimmune Disorder Lifestyle
When it comes to an autoimmune disorder, you can start feeling out of sorts and frustrated because your body is attacking itself. But there are things to do that will allow your body to relax, and manage the condition. Certain lifestyle changes can help relieve you of the symptoms of autoimmune disorders.
Here are some of the best lifestyle tips
Lose Weight
When you are overweight, you have a higher risk of developing autoimmune disorders, and losing extra pounds is a good way to reduce inflammation in the body, allowing your body to function better. Being overweight puts a lot of pressure on your body systems, and this would make it difficult for you to heal. Opt for weight-loss strategies and exercise activities so that you can shed off the extra kilos.
Stop Smoking And Reduce Alcohol Intake
Smoking is one of the leading causes of rheumatoid arthritis, and it can make the symptoms much worse. Smoking and drinking alcohol can cause inflammation, and it is crucial for those who have autoimmune conditions to avoid this. So, it’s time to ditch your smoking habit, and keep your alcohol intake to a bare minimum, or even avoid it.
Get Enough Sleep
Focusing on your sleep time is very important and provides relief for those with chronic
health conditions, autoimmune disorders inclusive. When you are not getting enough sleep, it can cause inflammation in our body and worsen the existing symptoms.
Try to pattern out a sleeping schedule that would make your night rest more relaxing.
Diet
Together with your lifestyle changes, your eating habit can cause health problems, especially if you aren’t eating foods that contain the necessary nutrients and vitamins.
Many people who have autoimmune disorders notice positive changes in their health when they tweak their diets. So, if your diet can play a strong role in autoimmune disorders, what changes can you make
It doesn’t just end in you reducing your intake of inflammatory foods; you need to increase the number of anti-inflammatory foods that you consume.
For instance, a person with rheumatoid arthritis would experience joined pain as a result of inflammation, so it’s best to avoid foods that can trigger inflammation. Examples of inflammatory foods include:
- Fruit juice
- Fried foods
- Processed food and meat
- Sugar-sweetened beverages
- Refined carbohydrates
- Vegetable oils
Foods that are healthy anti-inflammatory include:
- Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale
- Fish like salmon and sardines
- Nuts and seeds
- Fiber-rich foods, like vegetables and legumes
