Immune Optimization
The Institute for Human Optimization works to support immune health and auto-immune conditions like lupus, Hashimoto’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
Our immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses.
There are two parts of the immune system:
- The innate immune system, which is our first line of defense. This includes skin and mucous membranes, stomach acid, enzymes in tears and saliva, cilia (tiny hairs) in the respiratory tract, and more.
- The adaptive immune system, which provides a more targeted response to invaders. This includes antibodies, T cells, and B cells.
Immune health refers to the body’s immune system ability to protect against infections and other foreign invaders. This process is essential to our health and well-being. In fact, it is nature’s first line of defense against potentially harmful bacteria, viruses, and other organisms that can cause disease.
In some cases, however, our immune system can mistake healthy cells for foreign invaders.
When this happens your body literally attacks itself. This is called autoimmunity.
There are more than 80 different types of auto-immune disease including:
- Lupus
- Hashimoto’s Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Addison’s Disease
- Pernicious Anemia
- and more!
AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASE POSSIBLE CAUSES
Auto-immune disease is not completely understood. However, we do know that it occurs when the body’s own immune system attacks and destroys healthy tissue.
This can be caused by a number of things including:
GENETICS
Auto-immune disease often runs in families. If you have a family member with an auto-immune disease, you may be more likely to develop one yourself.
ENVIRONMENT
Exposure to certain environmental triggers like toxins, infections, or stress can cause the body to develop an auto-immune disease.
HORMONES
Auto-immune disease is more common in women than men. This may be due to the fact that hormones play a role in the development of auto-immunity.
LYMPHOCYTES
These are a type of white blood cell that is responsible for attacking foreign invaders. In some cases, however, they can mistake healthy cells for foreign invaders and begin attacking them.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASE?
Symptoms of auto-immune disease can vary depending on the type of condition you have. However, there are some common symptoms that are seen in many types of auto-immunity including:
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches and pains
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Skin rashes
- Digestive issues
- Anemia
IS THE INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN OPTIMIZATION RIGHT FOR YOU?
At IFHO, we understand that auto-immune disease is difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat. This is because there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. What works for one person may not work for another.
This is where the Institute for Human Optimization can help. We offer a functional and precision medicine approach to auto-immune disease that is tailored to your specific needs. We use a combination of traditional and alternative therapies to help you. There is no “cure” for auto-immunity, but we can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of your life.
