Most autoimmune disorders, such as inflammatory Osteoarthritis (OA), Psoriasis (see dedicated page), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, MS, Iritis, Sjögren's Syndrome, Sarcoidosis, Addison's Disease, Crohn's Disease, Ankylosing Spondylitis, DM (type 1), Pernicious Anaemia, Vitiligo (leukoderma), and certain allergies are exacerbated by stimulants, which stress precipitates the diathesis or genetic predisposition to the disorder. The most common forms of stress that elicit the inflammation response are: dietary (foods containing stimulants, chief among which are purines, L-phenylalanine, phenyl-ethylamine, and xanthines); mechanical (ischemic compression, injury and repetitive strain); pharmacological (stimulants); environmental (cold, damp weather and strong magnetic fields); behavioral (unpaid sleep debt, sedentary lifestyle); and psychological (anxiety). The latter is usually the most aggravating of the condition. Inflammation is finally being recognized by cardiologists to be as much of a concern as elevated cholesterol, since inflammation of the arteries can cause plaque to dislodge and cause stroke, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism.
The number of smokers, coffee drinkers, and beef eaters interpreting the majority of their low back pain as a consequence of an old injury would be staggering. Preventable morning stiffness and sharp pain at L5-S1, typically when leaning forward, are classical symptoms of inflammatory osteoarthritis. Pain is pain, but suffering is optional.
Below is a list of "friends" and "foes" pertaining to the various autoimmune disorders. The friends are factors that alleviate the symptomatology (tranquilizers), and the foes are those that feed the condition (stimulants). Embracing the identified friends and shunning the enemies (immunostimulative), in almost all cases, reduces or eliminates entirely the need for prescription medications and their side-effects. Factors that have the greatest tendency to influence the condition are printed in bold type. This is an essential guide for anyone afflicted with any one of the autoimmune disorders.
You may download a printable copy of the "Friends & Foes" list below from my Downloads page. Please note that the list is periodically updated (see date at bottom of this page).
| FRIENDS (inhibitory) | FOES (excitatory) | Limited exposure to direct sunlight. Warm and humid weather (high pressure system).
Grain products labeled "Gluten-free," such as corn and oats. Current research around the globe suggests that soybeans lower the risk or progress of prostate cancer.
L-Tyrosine with Folic Acid, B6 and copper, with periodic "drug holidays." Individuals with a family history of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, should avoid this protein aromatic amino acid. L-Tyrosine is also a putative anti-depressant but contra-indicated in people with certain meta-bolic disorders or those taking MAO Inhibitors. Those with HTN may supplement their diet with L-Tyrosine but only under the supervision of a physician.
Emotional equilibrium in a balanced lifestyle. Ability to avoid anger (insight and understanding are incompatible with anger, which is also related to IQ deficit).
Non-weight bearing and passive range-of-motion exercise/gravity assisted articulation, such as pendular limb swinging; pool therapy.
Progressive stretching, with proprio-ceptive awareness--similar in some respects to Feldenkrais exercise but without the New-Age dross.
Relaxation, belly laughs, fun stuff (anxiety disordered individuals, such as the obsessive-compulsive type, relax only when productive or learning--in such cases a hobby is indicated).
Prayer mixed with humility and a little faith. Of course, the target of prayer should be omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent: that excludes all but God. Praying to our Creator in Jesus' name will make all the difference. Formerly an atheist, I found that the latter approach never fails. Pardon me for preaching here, but I never cease to be amazed how my prayers are always answered.
Visco-elastic ("memory foam") mattress topper to reduce ischemic compression. A high grade topper on a firm mattress provides relief from pressure points and joint flare-up, while still keeping the spine straight. To avoid negating the therapeutic value of sleeping or sitting on visco-elastic material, the bed sheet or covering must be the stretchable type.
Restorative sleep (pre-REM delta sleep architecture) in a regular sleep-wake schedule. Wearing a woolen nightcap in cold conditions reduces drying of the scalp.
Cortisone injections and systemic steroids (e.g., Prednisone), but only in severe cases. Steroidal medication should be prescribed only by a physician prepared to treat the patient as if he or she were family, since these treatments are immunosuppressive and should be limited to no more than once per year to minimize the risk of cancer. A long and gradual tapering of the dose will reduce the rebound effect, which can be severe (if your dermatologist scoffs at this fact, find one possessing a little more intellectual curiosity.
Wellbutrin with routine drug holidays, taken five days/week, always in the AM. Prophylaxis against developing a reverse effect is reducing dosage to three days/week after two months, for six weeks.
Low glycemic index/fiber rich foods, such as raw vegetables/salads. Frequent intake of high grade virgin olive and regular consumption of olives (may be a major factor as to why Europeans are not obese, suffer less of these diseases, and on average take less than 1/10th of the medication we do in the US).
Hydration, internal and external. Distilled or filtered water that is free of calcium carbonate (chalk) and toxic fluoridation that elicits an immune response; moisturizing lotion, especially with phospholipids or wax (or make your own, adding lecithin to a cream); "Nivea Skin Firming Lotion with Q10 and Biotin" is one of the better emulsion moisturizers). Primrose oil contains linoleic acid and may be included in the diet. Soaking in a bath or pool daily is very effective (ever wonder why professional divers don't look their chronological age?).
Red wine has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Even the Bible recommends a "little" wine for health (alcohol content less than 9% is too sugary). More than a half a glass not "a little."
Splenda (sucralose), re-engineered from cane sugar, is "not metabolized." But use of this chlorinated disaccharide should be conservative until proven to have a toxic-free profile (so far, 20 studies have found it to be safe). Un-sweetened fruit juice--but NOT cranberry--or those with a high vitamin C content. Pure apple juice is too rich to drink frequently but is palatable to the emotionally mature when diluted with purified water.
Essential/unsaturated fatty acids (primrose oil is highly recommended to reduce skin dryness and premature aging), fish (especially omega-3 fatty acid-rich salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, herring, anchovies, tuna, shark, swordfish (I prefer flaxseed, since it ensures a mercury-free source), salads, raw vegetables and, un-fortunately, carbohydrates that tend to be fattening (fiber rich carbs are much less fattening). Any mercury in fish is toxic only if in the inorganic form. Non-arsenic fed chicken and turkey in moderation. Lamb is well-tolerated but go easy on mutton if prone to digestive problems, due to the stearic acid.
Vitamin A, D, and E. However, toxic levels of vitamin A (fat-soluble) can cause peeling, dry skin. Any mineral supplementation should be colloidal in nature (plant derived). Test a mineral for the Tyndal Phenomenon (streaks) with infrared light in the dark. The best source of vitamin D3 is limited ex-posure to direct sunlight.
Glucosamine sulfate with MSM for the necessary synergy. The active in-gredient in the sulphur compound MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is Lignisul, which is most abundant in milk. The benefits of Celebrex may far outweigh any potential side-effects.
In severe refractory cases, tran-quilizers are indicated until the indiv-idual can learn to calm the CNS by other means, such as with autogenic training and especially the profound quieting of the mind that comes after developing a joyful and personal relationship with our Creator. Benzo-diazepines (tranquilizers), unfortun-ately, impose the invariable side-effect of short-term memory deficit; but this side effect is transient. Other CNS depressant medications may help tame a dysfunctionally active immune system; but one must remember that any drug--or emotion--that negatively impacts the immune system also lowers the body's ability to fight diseases, like cancer.
Ice pack (cheap but effective anti-inflammatory Tx) for a joint affected by osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis, followed by moist heat.
Clear Transpore tape for occlusive steroid dressings. If using Seran wrap, perforate the sheet extensively with a pin. Do NOT use Dovonex with an occlusive dressing without the close supervision of a knowledgeable and attentive physician.
Preventative care for general health, especially if family history includes an autoimmune disorder (genetic loading is greatest in father to son then father to daughter). An essential part of health insurance is the pursuit of a creative activity/hobby to raise self-concept and lower emotional stress, nibbling on all day on fiber rich veggies (no, you will not gain weight), and routine cardio-vascular exercise.
Washing immediately after intercourse greatly reduces psoriatic flare-up of the glans penis. Applying a pH com-patible moisturizing lotion after washing is prudent.
Socializing with emotionally stable and creative people. Insight serves as a prophylactic against the stress of helplessness, which triggers the immature ego mechanism of defense of acting out. Relating to pets can be therapeutic, calming the central nervous system.
Studies suggest there may be some therapeutic value to Aroma therapy.
Psoralen-containing vegetables and fruits: raw celery (concentrated in the green leafy portion makes skin sensitive to UV light), carrots, parsley, figs. Psoralens cause the skin to become more sensitive to sunlight (solar UV), which is beneficial to psoriatics in the northern regions of the world: and the increased production of vitamin D3 is possibly equivalent to using to using Calcipotriene (Dovonex). Note that vitamin D3 has been shown to improve the prognosis for three types of cancer: breast, colon, and prostate (take in a little sunlight!).
Lipid soluble antioxidants: Vitamin E (Alpha-tocopherol); Vitamin A (alpha- and beta-Carotene, most abundant in sweet potatoes and carrots); Lycopene; Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol).
Prudent time-management and right ordering of priorities for emotional equilibrium may counter any need to combat daytime drowsiness with use of prescription drugs. Since regenerative sleep architecture has been observed to ameliorate the aches associated with fibromyalgia, a regular sleep-wake schedule can be expected to also help the workaholic and often times perfect- ionistic psoriatic, suffering related insomnia.
Castile soap, which is made from vegetable oil.
Loose clothing. Socks made for diabetics.
| Cold, damp weather (low pressure system). Cold air cannot support moisture well. Sunburn can exacerbate psoriasis and invites skin cancer.
Foods with high gluten concentration, such as wheat, rye and barley (bread, muffins, beer, non-dairy creamer, soy sauce). Individuals with IBS especially need to regard gluten as a foe.
Prolonged dietary supplementation of L-Tyrosine; strict adherence to the Atkins diet of exclusively protein-based foods that causes dehydration and possibly kidney stress (mimics lumbago), although metabolically resistant individuals can benefit from a carbohydrate-free diet to initiate weight loss.
Extended physical and emotional stress, especially repressed anger. Subclinical levels of an anxiety disorder are typical, if not consistent, in any auto-immune disease. A deficit in coping with un-certainty defines the anxiety.
Inactivity, especially in the mornings or after prolonged time in bed. A sedentary lifestyle sensitizes the individual to pain and its perception.
Trauma to a joint and muscle spasms due to injurious strain. Repetitive strain tends to elicit severe inflammatory reactions in individuals suffering an autoimmune disorder. Non-therapeutic ischemic compression; electric stimulation to a joint; "magnetic therapy," sustained antalgic posturing; excessive weight lifting heavy limb load exercise.
Non-productive worry, approval- seeking, people-pleasing behavior. Absence of passion for a creative activity to facilitate living in the here-and-now.
Despite being touted as something positive, pride affords one very little. Selfism places enormous stress on the central nervous system.
A mattress should not sag, but a firm mattress is barbaric to psoriatics and individuals with joint inflammation, such as those suffering chronic low back pain. Non-restorative sleep architecture lowers pain-threshold.
Unpaid sleep debt is very stressful on the body, often a consequence of sustained high beta activity in the brain of the workaholic or chronic worrier. Sleep deprivation studies are sometimes used to treat Major Depressive illness, stimulating the CNS. A magnesium deficiency can cause restless-leg syndrome (RLS) that interferes with re-generative sleep--note that only colloidal Mg is effective as a muscle relaxant, which can alleviate RLS. Note also that the colloidal form is very potent: more than a tablespoonful of the powder may cause respiratory depression.
Any of the Lithium salts. These medicines prescribed for Bipolar disorder can not only exacerbate psoriasis but trigger the diathesis.
Stimulant medications, such as for weight-reduction/appetite suppression and asthma (xanthines). Stimulant drugs, like cocaine and the amphet-amines, are not only pro-inflammatory with the SNS hyperarousal but also weaken heart valves. Sadly, chocolate contains phenyl-ethylamine. Provigil has shown itself to be an exception among stimulant medications if taken in lower doses.
Wellbutrin for excessive periods. An indicator of when to taper use is when sleep is truncated. Over-supplementing stress-depleted NE may explain the reverse effect.
Even “normal” intake of stimulants: caffeinated beverages; nicotine (incl. "non-inhaled" cigars malt liquors, and, of course red meat, especially smoked red meat); and bioavailable vitamin C-rich fruits, such as raspberries, kiwi fruit, cranberry juice, and excessive orange juice—those with psoriasis will know they have reached their limit when the scalp begins to itch.
Dehydration. Air-conditioning offers comfort; but cool air dries out the skin, accelerating both psoriatic cell proliferation and, hence, appearance of aging. Psoriasis sufferers in particular need to apply a good moisturizer to the affected areas when exposed to cold air. Alcohol de-hydrates the body. A high protein diet, such as the Atkins, may help the metabolically resistant to start losing weight; but a protein-rich diet acts as a stimulant, causing dehydration and kidney abuse if followed for too long.
Excess alcohol (more than the equivalent of one half glass of wine a day). Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels in the body and cause severe pruritis, among other problems.
All sucrose-laden products, including so-called brown sugar, which is merely the refined saccharide with food coloring or molasses added. Our food manufacturers try to disguise added sugar by specifying it as dextrose, lactose, maltose, galactose, corn starch, corn syrup, beet or grape sugar, including "other carbo-hydrates." Even fructose (a.k.a. levulose) interferes with the glycolitic pathway for sugar and is therefore also contraindicated for individuals with a pro-inflammatory autoimmune disorder. Honey is mainly fermentable sugar, a mix of glucose and fructose (sorry!). Note that hypoglycemia may interrupt sleep, and sleep deprivation is a major contributor to body stress. Contrary to popular belief, cold milk does not promote sleep (but let's not rule out the placebo effect!).
Red meat (especially dry smoked, salty types, such as salami and beef jerky); pork (chops, bacon); fatty carbohydrates, such as croissants; puff pastry. Even excessive intake of the gentler proteins, like chicken and turkey, can act as a stimulant that promotes inflammation. All foods containing L-phenylalanine (beef) and L-Tyrosine. Most proteins may be classified as stimulants. Cream cheese and other fatty/greasy foods. Saturated (most commonly animal) fats include coconut oil.
Vitamin C, especially if supplemented with zinc that accelerates its absorption in the body. All vitamin C-rich juices or fruit, including strawberries and cherries. Cranberry juice is highly immuno-stimulative. If any doubt exists in the mind if one suffering from an auto-immune disorder that vitamin C is no friend, let him drink two or three glasses of cranberry juice throughout the day and see if he can get out of bed the next morning.
Stimulant drugs, including OTC products, especially those with out-rageous claims (e.g., Yohimbe, and Ephedra).
The mood stabilizer Lithium carbonate can cause severe flare-ups, especially in cases involving psoriasis. I feel deeply for folks who suffer with two disorders, wherein the medication that helps one problem exacerbates the other. Another common example of incongruous co-morbidity is asthma and arthritis: sympathomimetics used by asthmatics worsen any autoimmune disease.
Magnetic therapy for a psoriatic or arthritic joint. Prolonged exposure of the joint to cold draft or air-conditioning.
More than two courses of oral steroids per year to reduce risk of neoplasm (tumors, cancer). Too many steroidal injections for arthralgia weaken the joint, later rendering the patient in a worse state.
Invasive surgical interventions should be the last option, most applicable to individuals with an anxiety disorder as they are highly prone to nerve irritating scar tissue development, which invites inflammation; and inflam-mation causes more scar tissue. Note that cautery treatments of resistant psoriatic lesions leave scars that are highlighted by any sun tan. The scars may be prone to serious complications later if exposed to prolonged direct sun light. Photo-luminescence therapy that is cheap and can be delivered locally is reported to be highly effective in charging the immune system; therefore, unless a more serious threat such as cancer is being treated, this simple procedure should be considered as a foe of anyone with an autoimmune disorder.
Prolonged contact with vaginal acidity, which pH is in the 3.5-4.0 range (estrogen-dependent). The mucosa contains large amounts of glycogen that decomposes to lactic acid.
Even though you may be among the very few cognizant that nobody is responsible for the emotional feelings of others, nonetheless associating with people with an IQ deficit, reactive affect, low frustration tolerance and limited impulse control can be psychologically toxic. Routinely contending with emotionally immature people can cause depletion of vital stress hormones (read up on Dr. Selye's exhaustion phase).
Even brief exposure to solvent fumes can trigger an immune response with systemic inflammation.
While important in protein synthesis, most critically during tissue development or wound healing, and to prevent anemia, Folic acid is not a friend of anyone prone to suffering an inflam-matory disorder. This B-vitamin is essential to immune cell regeneration, which acts as a stimulant. B12 is also in the stimulant class of vitamins and along with riboflavin (B2) and B6 promotes angiogenesis, growth of capillaries that make possible the redness and bleeding when a psoriatic scab is scratched off.
Any kind of smoke, passive or otherwise. Cannabis may relax the anxious, but the free radical damage of the carcinogen rich weed is not an option for anyone with an IQ above 80.
Prolonged use of Provigil (Modafinil), an otherwise excellent medication for the complaint of daytime drowsiness, in my study caused intensely pruritic flare-ups in psoriatics. An outbreak of an erythematous skin rash is known as a possible serious side-effect of this medication, even in cases not involving psoriasis. In such instances, the gutate form of psoriasis can become geo-graphical. However bone joint disorders are not affected. Some patients refer to Provigil as a wonder drug, reporting dramatic improvement in mental acuity, intellectual insight, and even short-term memory function. Since Provigil enables one to sleep less, one can compound any autoimmune disorder with a secondary health problem that is triggered by chronic unpaid sleep debt.
Regular soap. Despite being made with animal fat, soap is an anionic surfactant, a detergent that harshly dries the skin.
Tight clothing, such as tight waistband. Remove irritating labels on shirt collars and the back of trousers.
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Below is a table of items that may aggravate or ameliorate an autoimmune condition, working on the premise that whatever worsens the condition the antithesis will aid in healing. Some lesser toxic agents require a cumulative process to occur before the disorder is visibly effected, thereby making the particular agent difficult to identify as either friend or foe. The author welcomes feedback and any insights from the visitor (please see "Contact" section in menu).
| PROBABLE FRIENDS | SUSPECTED FOES | Calcium gluconate or any plant-derived calcium combined with organic magnesium and vitamin D. In addition to being a colloidal dispersion with the molecules measured in ångströms (an ångström is one millionth of a micron, and a micron is one millionth of an inch!)--small enough to be utilized by target cells--warmed milk and its denatured protein may be a valuable source of this vital mineral, second only to magnesium in importance to the body.
To date, I have not found an artificial sweetener that I would classify as a friend of anyone predisposed to an autoimmune disorder. Splenda may not actually be a "friend"; but I have yet to be persuaded that this non-metabolized alternative to table sugar is a foe. Well-meaning folks at several Internet sites argue that Splenda is toxic, but their claims are not sub-stantiated in any scientific literature. Diabetics in my case load with co-morbidity of an auto-immune disease have been using Splenda upon the advice of their endo-crinologist since it was first made available, without suffering any noticeable side-effects.
| Calcium carbonate is crude chalk and mostly non-dispersant, found plentifully in our disgusting water supply. If you still wish to consume this form of calcium, save yourself some $$$ and just scrape the stuff off your shower walls, or chisel it off your drain pipe: it also deposits behind the lower incisors in your mouth, requiring more frequent visits to your dentist. Tums and Rolaids contain this form of inorganic calcium, which antacid effect actually inhibits absorption of bioavailable calcium.
I strongly suspect that the sweetener aspartame is a highly inflammatory substance. Moreover, nurses I know that suffer migraine headaches have reported they are unable to consume products containing aspartame as it triggers the headache. The more I investigate this neurotoxic substance, the more I become puzzled why the FDA approves its sale. But then the FDA also allows the sale of cigarettes.
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Some autoimmune/inflammatory disorders...
Addison's disease, Ankylosing spondylitis, Aplastic anaemia, Arthritis, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Celiac disease (Sprue or Gluten intolerance), Crohn's disease, Diabetes mellitus (DM type 1), Grave's disease, Guillian-Barré syndrome (GBS), Hashimoto's lymphocytic thyroiditis, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), Iritis, Kawasaki disease, Multiple sclerosis (MS), Myasthenia gravis (MG), Osteoarthritis (OA), Pernicious anemia, Polymyositis, Psoriasis, Reiter’s syndrome (aka Reactive arthritis), Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sarcoidosis, Sjögren's syndrome, System lupas erythematosus, certain Allergies, and possibly Vitiligo (leukoderma).
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This page last updated August 16, 2009
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