Why does it feel like everyone has an autoimmune disease?
According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), autoimmune diseases affect approximately 50 million Americans, accounting for about 1 in 5 people in the United States. Interestingly, autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women, with around 75% of those diagnosed being female. This translates to about 37 million women in the United States living with an autoimmune disease.
Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system becomes dysfunctional, leading to inflammation and damage of specific tissues.
Unfortunately, rates are rising at unprecedented levels:
- Celiac Disease: The prevalence of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten, has increased by more than fourfold over the past 50 years in the United States. (PMID: 26438584)
- Multiple sclerosis: The number of people with multiple sclerosis worldwide increased 30% between 2013 and 2022. (PMID: 33174475)
- Lupus: A study published in 2019 found that the prevalence of lupus has nearly tripled in the past 40 years. (PMID: 32810049)
- Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: This autoimmune thyroid disorder now accounts for the majority of hypothyroid cases. Studies indicate that it affects approximately 1 in 20 people in the United States. (PMID: 37109715)
- Inflammatory bowel disease: The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease increased 46% between 2006 and 2021. (PMID: 36675570)
Contrary to theories in conventional medicine, I believe it’s unlikely that the body is deliberately attacking its own tissues in autoimmune diseases.
The body is always striving for homeostasis and balance. Autoimmune reactions may actually be a sign that the body is attempting to heal itself, but is overloaded with stressors and lacks the necessary resources—such as nutrients and energy—to fully restore balance. Without these resources, the body may struggle to complete the healing process, leading to complex and chronic damage over time.
Just as in cancer, the body is never intentionally working against itself, but rather doing its best to maintain equilibrium under challenging conditions.
So, what is driving autoimmunity?
- High estrogen levels.
There is substantial evidence that suggests autoimmunity is hormonally driven. Estrogen significantly impacts the thymus gland, which is crucial for the development of T cells, a type of immune cell. High levels of estrogen can lead to thymic atrophy, meaning the thymus shrinks and becomes less active.
This reduction in thymus function results in a less diverse T-cell population, which can impair the immune system’s ability to distinguish between self and non-self, and contributes to the development of autoimmunity. The diminished thymic output may lead to an increase in autoreactive T cells, raising the risk of autoimmune diseases.
- Exposure to xenoestrogens.
When elevated, estrogen can be highly inflammatory, enhance the production of antibodies, and suppress healthy immune function. Estrogen’s effects are compounded by modern environmental factors, such as exposure to xenoestrogens—chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body—found in plastics, personal care products, and other everyday items. These environmental estrogens can further disrupt the immune system, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases.
This could explain why we see a disproportionate number of women suffering from these conditions compared to men. Women naturally make higher estrogen levels, and therefore may be at a greater risk.
- Low testosterone and progesterone levels.
Progesterone & testosterone are powerful modulators of the immune system. Both of these hormones oppose the actions of estrogen, countering its inflammatory effects. Testosterone has been demonstrated to reduce intestinal inflammation and reduce the activity of inflammatory cytokines, preventing autoimmune responses. (PMID: 33971182)
Progesterone is highly anti-inflammatory and essential for immune tolerance, especially during pregnancy. This means that it modulates the immune system to prevent it from attacking the fetus, which is genetically distinct from the mother. As a result, many women experience full remission of their autoimmune conditions during pregnancy, when progesterone levels are at their highest. However, once progesterone levels drop after childbirth, it is common for autoimmune symptoms to return.
There are multiple factors to consider when treating autoimmunity. While each patient has unique triggers, some common themes I observe in autoimmune cases include:
- Elevated cortisol levels
- Hypoglycemia & blood sugar imbalance
- Chronic exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, VOCs, and other pollutants
- Low nutrient status, especially vitamin D, zinc, and selenium
- Stealth infections (mold, parasites, viruses, etc.)
- Pathogenic bacteria in the gut
- Low thyroid levels
- High prolactin levels
- Systemic inflammation & high omega-6 intake
- Elevated iron levels
- High levels of radiation exposure
- Lymph stagnation
- Elevated serotonin and histamine levels
- Emotional stress and trauma
An alternative theory:
I believe autoimmunity can symbolize a deeper disconnection from the self—a failure to recognize and honor our true nature. Today, we are increasingly disconnected from nature, many of us live in a state of chronic stress, overloaded with toxins, and confused about what is truly healthy. We’re bombarded with conflicting dietary advice, exposed to environmental pollutants, and often live in ways that are out of sync with our natural biological rhythms. This disconnection can manifest in the body as confusion within the immune system and can explain the rising rates we see today.
Like cancer, autoimmunity is complex and requires intentional care to uncover an individual’s triggers. Each patient deserves comprehensive care. With intentional efforts, I believe these rising rates can be reversed.