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Understanding Autoimmune

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LIVING WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

Through functional medicine Dr.Autoimmunegirl focuses on the underlying causes of autoimmune disease and the impact inflammation and gut health have on autoimmune disease management.

As a health and wellness professional Dr.Autoimmunegirl is on a mission to help you get to the root cause of autoimmune disease through education, empowerment, and support.

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Health News

Learn about the various processes that effect the immune system, gut health and inflammation and their impact on autoimmune disease.

Is Estrogen bad for you?

Is Estrogen bad for you?

by Donna | Hormone Balance

...

Intermittent Fasting and Athletic Performance

Intermittent Fasting and Athletic Performance

by Donna | Nutrition & Diet

...

Frankincense and Autoimmune Disease

Frankincense and Autoimmune Disease

by Donna | Autoimmune Basics

...

What is autoimmune?

What is autoimmune?

by Donna | Autoimmune Basics

...

GUT HEALTH STEMS FAR BEYOND THE GUT

GUT HEALTH STEMS FAR BEYOND THE GUT

by Donna | Gut Connection

...

@drautoimmunegirl

Learn more about your immune system and how it plays a role in your daily life. Stay up to date with me on my journey to heal!

I've gotten so many questions lately about how to

I've gotten so many questions lately about how to boost the immune system, what supplements to take, which fruits/vegetables are high in vitamin C and A …… and the list goes on!
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My approach is always to keep it SIMPLE and try to approach things from a holistic point of you
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The goal in boosting the immune system is to reduce the inflammatory process and support our system with the tools (nutrients) it needs to combat and fight infection
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I encourage you all while we are quarantined at home to make changes to your daily routine and implement changes to your overall lifestyle
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TOP 5 TAKEAWAYS:
1️⃣NUTRITION: Instead of focusing on specific fruits/vegetables, make a goal to consume 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Make it a VARIETY of colors, eat the rainbow and this will ensure you are getting adequate nutrients that work in synergy.
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2️⃣SLEEP: Ensure you are getting 7-9 hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation increases inflammation and impacts our immune systems ability to fight infection. Instead of staying up an extra 2 hours watching TV, increase your sleep time by 2 hours
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3️⃣EXERCISE/YOGA: My greatest advice here is to do any kind of movement that you ENJOY! If you enjoy it you are more likely to stick to it. Try to build it into your daily routine right now- start your day with 30 minutes of exercise.
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4️⃣MEDITATION: Spend 10-15 minutes before bed to meditate and clear your mind. This will help you sleep better and obtain those 7-9 hours of well rested sleep.
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5️⃣ALCOHOL/SMOKING: I encourage you reduce your alcohol and tobacco intake. This could be a good time to quit and eliminate the habit all together. Both create an inflammatory response in the body, especially when done in excess.
.. #immunesystem #immuneboosting #immunesupport #immunehealth #immunebooster #immuneboost #holistichealing #holistichealth #holisticnutrition #holisticmedicine #antioxidants #antioxidant #oxidativestress #integrativemedicine #functionalmedicine #integrativenutrition #functionalnutrition #antiinflammatory #antiinflammatorydiet #inflammation #inflammatory #aippaleo

A study by the Danish Consumer Council has found s

A study by the Danish Consumer Council has found suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and allergens in body lotions
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The council checked ingredients listed on 54 body lotions and matched them against lists of problematic substances, including the EU's endocrine disruptor priority list and NGO ChemSec's Substitute It Now <https://chemicalwatch.com/64181> (SIN) list
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Researchers graded the products between A and C. They gave the lowest grade (C) to eight lotions that contained suspected EDCs. Of these, three also contained allergens
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The problematic substances identified were:
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📌Parabens – on the EU's endocrine disruptor priority list
📌Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) – on the ChemSec SIN list for endocrine disrupting properties
📌Cyclopentasiloxane – evaluated by the Danish Technical University as a suspected EDC
📌Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde – allergenic substance
📌Dmdm hydantoin – allergenic substance
📌Diazolidinyl urea – allergenic substance
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The report says that, although these body lotions may not be harmful on their own, they contribute to the "cocktail effect" of overall exposure to unwanted chemicals. So look for these chemicals in your body lotions and avoid their use. Every little bit of change counts, so work to control what you can control!
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#saynotochemicals #toxinfree #notoxins #toxicfreeliving #toxinfreebeauty #chemicalfree #nontoxic #toxinfreehome #nontoxiclife #detox #detoxify #livercleanse #detoxification #estrogen #estrogendominance #progesterone #hormone #hormonebalance #hormoneimbalance #hormones #endocrine #endocrinedisruptors #hormonehealth

Happy Quarantine Birthday to Me! 🤯😑❤️🤦🏽‍♀️🤪😖🤔☺️ my many emotions lately.....

This is an important question to answer, especiall

This is an important question to answer, especially in light of our current pandemic
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Everyone is highly focused on a supplement or herb in order to boost their immune system, which essentially is using the same bandage approach to health as you would by asking for a medication in conventional medicine
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What do I mean by that?
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Understanding the root cause of disruption in our overall immune system, and our bodies ability to fight is where we need to focus our attention
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In conventional medicine practice someone is considered healthy until proven otherwise, but that doesn't necessarily mean you are "healthy"
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In functional medicine, the initial assessment is focused on foundational lifestyle factors:
1️⃣Sleep
2️⃣Exercise
3️⃣Nutrition
4️⃣Stress Levels
5️⃣Relationships
6️⃣Genetics
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These factors are influenced by predisposing factors, triggers, and ongoing physiological processes
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This is what then leads to fundamental imbalances within the body which eventually can lead to symptoms and diagnosable disease
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In a time where Covid19 is on everyone's mind, let’s take a second look at lifestyle factors that impact disease and the overall inflammatory process generated by our western lifestyle
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Being overweight, consuming highly processed foods, not sleeping, excessive alcohol drinking, no movement, and high stress are all underlying factors that eventually lead to the diagnosis of a common comorbid condition: high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease...
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So just because it has not been diagnosed by numbers, does not mean the underlying physiological process is not occurring
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As I see the death rate in Detroit continue to rise, I also understand that we are ranked in the the top 10 unhealthiest cities in America in 2020 (Beckers hospital review)
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Instead of focusing on drinking bottles of elderberry or taking every supplement under the sun, we need to focus on our health from a holistic approach
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Sorry if this was harsh but something I am passionate about
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#holistichealing #holistichealth #holisticnutrition #holisticmedicine #integrativemedicine #functionalmedicine #integrativemedicine #coronavirus #covid19 #inflammation

Turmeric….. The research is quite overwhelming.

Turmeric….. The research is quite overwhelming. Over 3000 clinical trials done on this natural entity in animals and in humans and it continues to be studied
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After all my reading here are my top 3 takeaways….
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1️⃣What’s the benefit?
Turmeric has been around for centuries and known to have anti-inflammatory properties, however more recent studies have identified that the active ingredient responsible for these benefits is curcumin. With it’s anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin has been extensively studied in pro-inflammatory conditions
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2️⃣Fresh or Dry?
It’s been found that curcumin has low bioavailability. What does that mean? Basically, its active ingredients are not absorbed and utilized by the body because it’s rapidly broken down (metabolized) and quickly eliminated (through feces). A recent study conducted in 2015, looked at fresh versus dry curcumin and found that at equivalent doses given the dried curcumin was undetectable in the blood, where as the fresh demonstrated levels that were significantly detectable. Also, they identified that the fresh product was absorbed 46 times better than the equal dose of the dry product (Krishnakumar, 2015).
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3️⃣How should it be ingested?
For fresh turmeric what I’ve read is that 1 cm of the turmeric root is equivalent to 1 tsp of dried turmeric. To boost bioavailability, curcumin is frequently combined with the alkaloid piperine derived from black pepper at doses of 20mg, which boost bioavailability by 2000% (Kaur et al, 2017). When turmeric is cooked, about 27-53% of curcumin is lost in the heat. Cooking with it if fine, obviously people do it all the time, the recommendation is to limit boiling to 20 minutes or less.
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✅Without getting hung up on all the details, we know it’s antioxidant and anti inflammatory activities make it an affordable option in the prevention of chronic disease. So if you can find the root, great, if not, the powdered form will still provide benefit above our every day pro-inflammatory consumption!
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#antiinflammatory #antiinflammatorydiet #inflammation #inflammatory #aippaleo #turmeric #turmericbenefits #turmerictea #turmericlatte #tumeric #curcumin #autoimmunedisease

😔 it’s not..... #aprilfools #covid19 #staypos

😔 it’s not..... #aprilfools #covid19 #staypostive #begrateful

A statement came out from the head of CDC in China

A statement came out from the head of CDC in China stating, "the biggest mistake in the U.S. and Europe, in my opinion, is that people aren’t wearing masks. This virus is transmitted by droplets and close contact. Droplets play a very important role—you’ve got to wear a mask, because when you speak, there are always droplets coming out of your mouth. Many people have asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic infections. If they are wearing face masks, it can prevent droplets that carry the virus from escaping and infecting others."
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Hmmmm… interesting thought right?
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Doctor Fauci was asked about this and his response was, "Given the situation that we might have enough masks for everyone, I think there is some rationale that we should utilize them much more than we do at the present time"
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Ok well that response is just frustrating? Are we spreading it more than we should? Are we taking a risk every time we go to the grocery store?
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A study (systematic review) was done back in 2008 to assess the data related to physical interventions and the ability to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2190272/
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They specifically looked at the effect of public health interventions to interrupt transmission of the first SARS outbreak, here is the summary:
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1️⃣Handwashing (>10 times daily): Reduced transmission by 55%
2️⃣Wearing mask: Reduced transmission by 68%
3️⃣Wearing N95 mask: Reduced transmission by 91%
4️⃣Wearing gloves: Reduced transmission by 57%
5️⃣Wearing a gown: Reduced transmission by 77%
6️⃣Everything combined: Reduced transmission by 91%
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This is the limited data available, but I think it says a lot! Essentially, the authors conclude that interventions combined to reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses include:
✅Frequent handwashing
✅Barrier measures
✅Isolation of people with suspected respiratory tract infections
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I would love to hear your thoughts or experiences? Do you guys use masks when you are out in public?
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#coronavirus #coronavírus #covid_19 #covıd19 #covid #virus #selfisolation #selfisolate #wearamask #

Are you familiar with the complexities of the immu

Are you familiar with the complexities of the immune system? Specifically T-cells?
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✳️T cells are like special agents, and they are divided into two groups : the special agents that help to activate the immune system called CD4 T helper cells and the special agents that help kill infected cells named CD8 killer cells
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✳️The group of CD4 cells are divided into several subgroups depending on their weapons (cytokines they produce and their targets)
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✳️The most important are Th1 that fights bacteria and virus and Th2 that fight worms and allergies
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✳️Our body is always trying to maintain the perfect balance between Th1 and Th2
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✳️Th1 response is more pro-inflammatory, while Th2 response is anti-inflammatory. Without this balance in our bodies we may develop autoimmunity (Th1 is out of hand) or allergies and asthma (Th2 is out of hand)
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✳️Th1 response is needed to kill microbes and if unchecked may lead to autoimmune diseases and that's why Th2 response has anti-inflammatory effect, to combat the inflammation produced by Th1 response
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✳️Several mechanisms are available to balance Th1/Th2 and one of those is by increasing T-Regulatory cells through FOOD— to name a few:
1️⃣Bifidobacterium Probiotics
2️⃣Vitamin D
3️⃣Green tea (EGCG)
4️⃣Cinnamon
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If you have autoimmune disease and high Th1 , you want to be careful with immune stimulating herbs that can exacerbate your condition
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Be careful with herbals and consult your provider before starting anything, I've personally experienced the effects of Th1 stimulating herbs and it was not fun - took me 10 steps back in my health
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#immunesystem #immunesupport #immunehealth #integrativemedicine #functionalmedicine #integrativenutrition #functionalnutrition #hashimotosdisease #hashimotos #hashimotoswarrior #hypothyroidism #hashimotosthyroiditis #hashimotosweightloss #thyroid #hypothyroidismweightloss #hypothyroidmom #hypothyroid #thyroidawareness #thyroidawarenessmonth #autoimmunedisease #autoimmunepaleo #autoimmune #autoimmuneprotocol #aip #autoimmunewarrior

Did you know tea is one of the most widely consum

Did you know tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, next only to water for enjoyment and health.
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Let's talk specifically about GREEN TEA
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The major components of interest are the polyphenols which are responsible for the antioxidant and other health benefits of green tea
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The major polyphenols in green tea are flavonoids, the four major flavonoids in green tea are the:
1️⃣catechins
2️⃣epicatechin (EC)
3️⃣epigallocatechin (EGC)
4️⃣epicatechin gallate (ECG)
5️⃣epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) - most significant active component
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Dietary consumption of tea may be beneficial in reducing inflammation and inflammatory- related diseases
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Several health-promoting mechanisms of the action of tea have been suggested, mainly related to its anti-inflammatory properties
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Complimentary/alternative tea therapies may be helpful in regulating the pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokine activity in inflammation-related diseases
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Based on scientific findings, tea and its bioactive compounds have the potential to act as therapeutic agents in chronic diseases
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Green tea extracts may reduce inflammation in addition to oxidative and metabolic stress
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Tea polyphenols inhibit nuclear translocation of NF-kB subunits, preventing them from transcribing inflammatory genes, so resulting in reduced inflammation
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Tea polyphenols also inhibit cytokines such as IL-1b and IL-6, preventing them from binding with their receptors, and so preventing them from signaling the inflammatory cascade
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#herbaltea #herbalteas #herbalmedicine #herbalist #chinesemedicine #easternmedicine #ayurveda #ayurvedalifestyle #ayurvedicmedicine #ayurvedalife #ayurvedic #ayurvedichealing #ayurvedicherb #holistichealing #holistichealth #holisticnutrition #holisticmedicine #antiinflammatory #antiinflammatorydiet #inflammation #inflammatory #aippaleo #greentea #greentealover #polyphenols #oxidativestress

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