At Gut Philosophy, we are dedicated to providing you with the information and tools you need to support your immune health. In this informational page, we are covering the basics of common root causes of immune dysfunction and offering some solutions how to start addressing them.

Understanding Autoimmunity and Low Immunity

Autoimmunity

Autoimmune conditions now affect 1 out of 10 people in the UK, spanning various body systems. Examples include:

• Gastrointestinal Tract: Coeliac disease, Crohn’s Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis.
• Joints and Muscles: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis.
• Thyroid Gland: Grave’s Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.
• Skin: Vitiligo and Psoriasis.

Common Mechanism

Despite the varied symptoms and affected systems, the core issue in autoimmune conditions is uncontrolled inflammation. This inflammation leads to tissue destruction and, eventually, organ dysfunction.

Managing Autoimmunity

For those affected by, supporting someone with, or looking to prevent autoimmune conditions, it’s crucial to consider:

• Environmental Factors: Understanding how your surroundings may impact your health.
• Genetic Predispositions: Assessing any hereditary factors that may increase your risk.
• Lifestyle Choices: Making informed decisions about diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors that can influence your overall well-being.

Low Immunity

Another common complaint related to the immune health is low immunity, such as getting frequent infections or taking a long time to recover from infections. The type of infections could be different, e.g., urinary tract infections, chest and throat infections, nose and ear infections, or frequent abdominal upsets and stomach bugs.

Common Root Causes of Low Immunity and Autoimmunity

The key mechanism underlying any immune dysfunction is uncontrolled inflammation. Understanding what is causing and contributing to inflammatory activation and supporting the resolution phase of the inflammatory process would be the key in supporting the immune health. The most common root causes of inflammatory activation include:

• Gut Dysbiosis: A loss of balance between beneficial and harmful microbes in the gut.
• Food Antibody Reactions and Food Sensitivities: Adverse reactions to certain foods that can trigger immune responses.
• Pathogens and Chronic Infections: Such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that continuously challenge the immune system.
• Metabolic Dysregulation: Including poor insulin sensitivity and issues with glucose regulation that can affect immune function.
• Compromised Mucosal Linings: In the mouth, throat, lungs, intestine, and genitourinary tract, which can weaken the first line of defense against pathogens.
• Dysregulated Sleep: Poor sleep patterns can impair immune function and inflammatory responses.
• Emotional Traumas: History of neglect, abuse, and unprocessed emotions are key factors in driving hypervigilance of the nervous system and contributing to immune dysregulation.
• Nutrient Deficiencies: Caused by poor diet, issues with digestion and absorption, or higher demands due to genetic variants, leading to impaired immune responses.
• Environmental Exposures: And issues with detoxification can contribute to chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation.

Tips for Supporting Immune Health

Optimizing immune health involves a comprehensive approach that addresses various aspects of lifestyle, diet, and emotional well-being. Here are some key strategies:

Gut Health Optimization

• Identify and Manage Food Reactions: Understanding personal food sensitivities and allergies is crucial.
• Support Digestive Processes: Incorporate digestive enzymes or other supplements if needed.
• Heal Gut Lining: Use nutraceuticals and functional foods to repair the gut.
• Address Gut Dysbiosis and Chronic Infections: Including treatment for parasites, to balance gut microbiota.

Improving Nutrient Density of the Diet

• Focus on Polyphenols and Antioxidants: Choose foods rich in these nutrients to combat inflammation.
• Increase Dietary Fiber: Essential for healthy digestion and microbiota.
• Reduce Pro-inflammatory Foods: Limit ultra-processed foods and beverages that contribute to inflammation.

Optimizing Your Sleep Routine

• Address Suboptimal Sleep Factors: Modify habits that impair sleep quality, like late-night eating, excessive screen time, and alcohol consumption.
• Encourage Healthy Sleep Habits: Ensure exposure to morning light, and reduce noise and light pollution at night.

Supporting Emotional Health and Nervous System Regulation

• Psychotherapy: Can be beneficial for processing past traumas and improving mental health.
• Stress-Reduction Techniques: Incorporate meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, regular nature walks, massages, and engaging in hobbies.

Reducing Exposure to Environmental Toxins

• Identify Sources of Toxic Chemicals: Such as mold, heavy metals, pesticides, and smoking.
• Limit Exposure: Opt for organic produce when possible and take steps to minimize exposure to identified toxins for hormonal and immune support.

Implementing these strategies can significantly support and enhance immune health, leading to a more balanced and resilient immune system.

How Gut Philosophy Can Help

At Gut Philosophy, we adopt an integrative approach to immunity support, starting with a comprehensive assessment of your medical history, recent lab results, diet, sleep, stress levels, exercise and movement habits, and exposure to environmental chemicals.

During Your Initial Health Assessment:

• A functional medicine practitioner will identify key imbalances and triggers.
• They will devise a strategy to address these issues and support your symptoms.

After Your Initial Health Assessment:

• You will receive a personalized Health Optimisation Programme, tailored to our findings and analysis.

Your Health Optimisation Programme Will Typically Include:

• Dietary Interventions: Recommendations for functional foods, essential nutrients, optimizing digestion, fasting schedules, and more.
• Lifestyle Interventions: Guidelines on sleep hygiene, stress management techniques, exercise and movement plans, reducing exposure to environmental chemicals, etc.
• Personalized Supplementation Schedule: Utilizing a professional range of highly bioavailable supplements.
• Referrals: To a GP or specialists if necessary.
• Additional Testing and Therapies: Based on your needs.

Functional Testing:

• We use functional testing as a tool to uncover underlying biochemical imbalances that may be affecting your immune system. Our primary investigation tool is a Functional Blood Test. More comprehensive and immunity-focused functional testing options are also available.

If you have any questions about our approach or testing options, you’re encouraged to schedule a complimentary discovery call.

Your Questions Answered: Autoimmunity & Low Immunity

Contact us today to book a free discovery call with one of our functional medicine practitioners and learn how we can help you support your energy levels and overall well-being.