Tips for working with your Doctor when you have an autoimmune disease

• Seek a health care provider who is familiar with your condition and who will listen to and address your concerns.
• Provide complete, accurate medical information.
• Make a list of your questions and concerns in advance.
• Be honest and share your point of view with the health care provider.
• Ask for clarification or further explanation if you need it.
• Talk to other members of the health care team, such as nurses, therapists, or pharmacists.
• Do not hesitate to discuss sensitive subjects (for example, birth control, intimacy) with your doctor.
• Discuss any treatment changes with your doctor before making them.

This advice comes from National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Information Clearinghouse National Institutes of Health

Natural immunosuppressants?

There are some health conditions that require suppressing your immune system. These include common allergies like asthma and autoimmune diseases where the body attacks it own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and polymyostis.

Dr Ulugbek Nurmatov, Devereux and Sheikh reported that vitamins A, C and E could help prevent asthma in April 2012.
They were only effective against asthma, though, because the researchers found no evidence of the same effects on other allergies.

 "Conclusion: The available epidemiologic evidence is weak but nonetheless supportive with respect to vitamins A, D, and E; zinc; fruits and vegetables; and a Mediterranean diet for the prevention of asthma. Experimental studies of these exposures are now warranted." Allergy and Respiratory Research Group, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

See report.

Scientific research

Researchers suggest that a progranulin-derived protein could result in alternative treatments for people with chronic autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's diseases, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. A study was published in the March 10, 2011 issue of Science.

The scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center, created a molecule called ATSTTRIN and used it in this study published online 10 March 2011 in Science magazine - The Growth Factor Progranulin Binds to TNF Receptors and Is Therapeutic Against Inflammatory Arthritis in Mice

Dr Weil's dietary suggestions

"The following measures are worth trying for anyone with an autoimmune disorder:

• Decrease protein intake toward 10 percent of daily calories; replace animal protein as much as possible with plant protein.


• Eliminate milk and milk products, substituting other calcium sources.
  
• Eat more fruits and vegetables regularly and make sure that they are organically grown.


• Eliminate polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogenated oils, and all foods (such as deep-fried foods) that might contain trans-fatty acids. Use extra-virgin olive oil as your main fat.


• Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.


• Take ginger (start with one capsule twice a day). Turmeric can also be helpful. Try "Turmeric Force" capsules from New Chapter and follow the dosage directions on the package. "
  

PHOTO By srebbe64