Autoimmune disorders are chronic conditions characterized by flare-ups, or times when the symptoms become worse. There is no cure for clients with autoimmune disorders, and treatment, which focuses on relieving symptoms, can improve quality of life. When you get symptoms of autoimmune disorders under control, you can focus on other aspects of your life which make you feel fulfilled.

Conventional treatments for autoimmune disorders alone come with unpleasant side effects and can suppress the immune system. For these reasons, clients with autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes or fibromyalgia are increasingly turning to holistic treatments.

What Holistic Treatments Are Available For Autoimmune Disorders?

Natural, holistic approaches to treating autoimmune disorders turn away from reliance on prescription medication. Functional medicine, which is an individualized, client-centered, science-based approach to treating clients, looks at the underlying cause of the symptoms of disorders.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Critical to managing autoimmune disorders is having an anti-inflammatory diet. Since the body is in an inflammatory state, diets created for clients with type 1 diabetes or fibromyalgia are rich in anti-inflammatory foods. Examples of inflammation-fighting foods are green leafy vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and kale; tomatoes; berries like blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries; fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines; and nuts like almonds and walnuts. These foods are also high in fiber, which is important for maintaining normal blood glucose levels.

Supplementation

Supplementation is also part of holistic treatment, especially if the client has multiple health conditions that may result in deficiencies. The doctor may prescribe medical-grade supplements called nutraceuticals, which are substances found in food that promote health and help prevent and treat disorders. Nutraceuticals provided by a doctor are fortified to help address gaps in your diet and minimize complications from autoimmune disorders.

To give an example, nutraceuticals given to clients with type 1 diabetes and fibromyalgia may contain the following:

• Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that protects against nerve and kidney damage from high glucose levels. It improves glucose uptake for type 1 diabetics. It is also effective in managing pain from neuropathy and fibromyalgia.
• Essential Fatty Acids help control weight, as well as blood sugar and cholesterol levels. They protect against blood vessel damage, which is a risk for clients with diabetes. They also alleviate oxidative stress, which is a factor in fibromyalgia pain.
• Vitamin C is an antioxidant that raises immunity, prevents free-radical damage, and improves wound healing, which benefits both diabetics and clients with fibromyalgia.
• Vitamin D benefits nerve and muscle function and eases chronic pain. It is found to be low in clients with fibromyalgia.
• Magnesium, which is an essential nutrient that regulates nerve and muscle function and eases pain, prevents muscle spasms and weakness (which benefit fibromyalgia clients), and also maintains blood sugar levels (which benefit type 1 diabetics).

Personalized Lifestyle Recommendations

Lastly, the doctor will also determine what is missing from your lifestyle. Exercise, stress management, and healthy sleep are all equally important to anyone, especially those with autoimmune disorders. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that are natural pain relievers. When you sleep well, your stress levels are lowered, which can impact how you experience chronic pain. High stress levels also lower your immune system’s ability to fight, which leaves you susceptible to illnesses that may also affect the effectiveness of interventions.

If you are tired of taking medications that suppress your immune system to manage symptoms of your autoimmune condition, explore your options for treatment. Holistic treatments are complementary and, in many cases, have helped clients reduce their over-reliance on prescription medication.

Holistic Treatments for Autoimmune Disorders in Fort Worth and Weatherford, TX

Dr. Catherine Oseni at Alpha Care Wellness Center is a board-certified and fellowship-trained functional medicine practitioner providing holistic treatments for autoimmune disorders. Dr. Oseni is highly experienced in helping clients with autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes and fibromyalgia control their health numbers, improve their symptoms, and reduce their risk of complications.

Dr. Oseni starts every session by listening to you and discussing your health goals. Then, she performs a comprehensive health assessment, including functional medicine testing, to customize your treatment plan.

Dr. Oseni is a compassionate integrative and functional medicine provider who can help you reach your health and wellness goals. If you want to improve your health and wellness through natural ways that you can easily incorporate into your daily life, schedule a consultation with Dr. Oseni. Call our clinic today at (817) 550-6332 or use our online request form to make an appointment.