Autoimmune issues occur when the natural immune responses of an individual attack the body’s own cells. Genetic susceptibility as well as environmental factors, such as: certain infections, ill-advised medical procedures, and poor
diet, contribute to the development of these kind of issues.
The body is designed to distinguish between “self” and “non-self;” to attack, destroy, and eliminate non-self and to build and rejuvenate self. Under
certain conditions, like the factors mentioned above, the mechanisms which drive natural immune responses get out of balance. Immune response requires recognition of foreign or harmful molecules known as antigens; whereupon, action is taken by the body to eliminate them. The body utilizes two main immune response mechanisms to fight-off these antigens. These mechanisms consist of “Specific” and “Non-Specific” immune responses.
Non-specific Immune Response provides general protection against disease-producing organisms from entering the body through the: Skin, Mucous Lining, Digestive Tract, and Respiratory Passages. Specific Immune Response acts against antigens which have succeeded in
entering the body and can be specifically recognized by the body as foreign or harmful by producing specific proteins known as antibodies which destroy and remove antigens from the body. 1
When both of these
immune response mechanisms fail to provide adequate protection against harmful antigens, inflammation occurs as the next line of defense. Inflammation is a powerful tool used by the body to fight off infection. Localized inflammation is a common response to most minor infections. Some types of inflammation can result from systemic infection where the entire body produces an inflammatory response. When this occurs the body often produces a fever; thereby, causing an increase in white blood-cells,
helping to remove infection from throughout the body.
Chronic Inflammation results by perhaps one of the largest causes of disease throughout the world, constipation. As mentioned, the body is meant to remove substances not recognized by the body. Most of these substances are removed through the bowel. When the bowel isn’t functioning properly other elimination channels become taxed and
overburdened. This causes foreign, dangerous, and toxic substances to become reabsorbed throughout the body to be eliminated through secondary elimination channels, such as the skin, lungs, and kidneys. When these secondary elimination channels take on more than they can handle they begin to become inflamed and manifest the classic symptoms of autoimmune issues. Therefore, it is vitally important to maintain a healthy and regular functioning bowel and digestive tract by proper cleansing and
nourishing of the body. To do this we utilize cathartic and demulcent herbs such as those found in Dr. Christopher’s Lower Bowel Formula to help strengthen the peristaltic action of the bowel for smoother elimination of waste matter. Other ways to help maintain a healthy digestive tract are following the mucusless diet and using Dr. Christopher’s Vitalerbs formula, which provides the body added nutrients that help to strengthen weakened and undernourished areas.
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/science/immune-system/Antigens
