Overview of the Immune System
The human immune system is like a “cell army”, composed of lymphocytes (mainly T cells and B cells). T cells, especially cytotoxic T cells, can directly attack foreign invaders and engage in a “cell war”; B cells label and eliminate harmful substances by producing antibodies as “bullets”. The health status of the immune system is characterized by three key balances:
1 Balance between cytotoxic T cells and B cells;
2. Balance between helper T cells that initiate immunity and regulatory T cells that suppress immunity;
3. Possess strong immune tolerance and can accurately distinguish between “self” and “non self” (foreign objects).
Autoimmune diseases are caused by the disruption of this delicate balance. When all three major health manifestations mentioned above fail, the immune system will mistakenly attack its own cells and tissues, leading to persistent inflammation and damage. This type of disease is not a single illness, but a collection of at least 100 diseases, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc. Although the location of the lesions is different (systemic or organ specific), their fundamental pathogenesis is similar, with common characteristics being chronic, inflammatory, and may manifest as symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, and cognitive confusion (“brain fog”).
The main potential triggers of autoimmune diseases
Inappropriate diet
Gluten: Modern genetic modification technology has increased the gluten content and strength in grains, making them difficult to digest. Gluten macromolecules entering the bloodstream may trigger an immune system overreaction. More importantly, due to the “molecular mimicry” mechanism, antibodies may accidentally damage their own tissues while attacking gluten. Excessive deposition of antibody gluten complexes (immune complexes) in joints and other organs is also a pathway that triggers inflammation and autoimmune reactions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Nutrient imbalance and harmful fats: Excessive intake of animal based foods, insufficient intake of vegetables rich in dietary fiber, and lack of key immune support nutrients such as vitamin D, vitamin A, selenium, and zinc in the diet can all affect gut microbiota and liver detoxification function, which is not conducive to immune balance. Harmful fats in processed foods can directly damage immune cells.
Chronic stress and hormonal imbalances
Long term chronic stress leads to a sustained increase in levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, which can damage and hinder the repair of the immune system. At the same time, it may cause “adrenal fatigue”, showing symptoms such as sustained fatigue and increased craving for sugar or salt. Stress can also reduce beneficial bacteria in the intestines, further exacerbating immune disorders.
Imbalance of gut microbiota
Beneficial bacteria in the gut are crucial for the development, maturation, and correct recognition of “self/non self” by immune cells, especially those in gut associated lymphoid tissues. Poor dietary habits, stress, medication (antibiotics, antacids, painkillers, etc.), and alcohol can disrupt the balance of gut microbiota. This may lead to impaired intestinal mucosal barrier function, resulting in “intestinal leakage”, allowing incompletely digested food particles to enter the bloodstream and be recognized as “invaders” by the immune system, triggering antibody reactions.
Exposure to toxins
Heavy metals (such as mercury), chemicals, and mycotoxins in the environment are important disruptors of the immune system and cells. They can alter the structure of human DNA, RNA, or proteins, causing the immune system to attack their own tissues as foreign objects. For example, mercury is highly correlated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and systemic lupus erythematosus. When the accumulation of toxins in the body exceeds the processing capacity of the liver, it can increase the burden on the liver and even lead to liver fatigue, causing harmful substances and estrogen to accumulate in the body, thereby exacerbating DNA damage and immune response.
Potential infection
The active state of certain latent viruses, such as Epstein Barr virus (EB virus), can force the immune system to remain in a highly alert inflammatory state, which may lead to or exacerbate symptoms of autoimmune diseases. Fundamentally, the difficulty in controlling viruses is also a result of an imbalance in the foundation of immune function.
Summary
The key to repairing and treating autoimmune diseases lies in adopting a functional medicine approach that focuses on the root causes – that is, systematic intervention from the four cornerstones of diet adjustment, stress management, intestinal health repair, and toxin exposure control. By gradually restoring the balance of these four major areas, the basic functions of the immune system can be effectively repaired, ultimately creating conditions for improving or even reversing various autoimmune diseases
