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Anyone Looking To Find ROOT Causes and REVERSAL of their disease?

I am..was just wondering if anyone else is...I believe that the body has the ability, if given the right "tools" to return to a state of health and wellness.  I'm working on this today.  Wondering if anyone else is? What's your journey been like..what are you finding out? Do you have a doctor that thinks the same?  I have two that believe the body can heal given the right circumstances, which means the right supplements, detoxification etc.

Thanks for your comments ahead of time.
~Amy~
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Avatar universal
Autoimmunity is probably caused by psychological and spiritual factors, as well as the lifestyle, stress - the aggression is directed inwards, against the self. I quess gluten intolerance is rather the side-effect, than the root cause. Read a revolutionary book by dr Gabor Mate ,,When the body says no", or Kurt Tepperwein's (a German author) ,,Was dir deine Krankenheit sagen will" (what your disease would like to tell you). Gabor Mate writes about PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY, a new branch of medicine which states that the immune system literally LEARNS from the psyche, thoughts, lifestyle. In case of progressing disease the paleo or gluten-free diet can be an option.I reversed  MS symptoms with the paleo diet, regular sunshine exposure, regular exercise, enough sleep, meditation, relaxation techniques. However, I can't reverse back scleroderma, another autoimmune disease I've suffered from. I'm sure autoimmunity has its roots in behavioural and thought patterns, too little self-love, etc. I'm sure my life story, upbringing and unhealthy lifestyle embracing the years lead to the health problems I've got now. I was shocked how much my experiences were reflected in the book by Gabor Mate. That's a pity so few people have heard about it, although it was written 10 years ago. You need to show your body that you love it and that you love yourself. start with the healthy lifestyle and implement changes in your life. I'm on the way...  
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Avatar universal
Eliminating the foods that show up on your test should eliminate some of your symptoms.  What are your symptoms exactly?  Have you read anything on GRAINS? have you eliminated grains, wheat, gluten and or dairy totally?


When you get your tests back keep in mind that you may or may not have a TRUE allergy to the food. How you can tell is..eliminate the foods that come up on the list. That's first, for atleast 3 months.  Then do a retest.  IF you have a bunch of different foods ( the foods you are currently eating) you have leaky gut and not a true allergy to the food. Understand?

One thing we do know is that whatever comes back it IS causing inflammation in your body.  The FOOD is not suppose to be in your blood stream.  How does the food get in the blood stream?  Holes in the gut, usually.  So educate yourself on Leaky Gut Syndrome.

You're looking in the right direction! :-)

Leaky gut is caused by animal protein..from what i am currently reading BUT the question i have now is have all those studies been conducted on regular animal protein NOT ORGANIC animal protein sources?  This, I would think, makes a difference.

~amy~
Let us know when your results are in.
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Avatar universal
Just had blood drawn for a test to determine what foods I am sensitive to!  In a few weeks I'll know more -what I can and can NOT eat.  I have been on a raw diet and on a paleo type diet with only  some relief of symptoms, but have sensitivities to foods and haven't been able to figure out Just which ones!   I am hopeful that this test ( and diet changer to follow) will help!!!
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Avatar universal
JenB12 is correct in saying is is hard to tell what diet is right for you, so you must try them out.  Pick a time frame and go for it.  See how you feel.  You can also get blood work done before and after and see if there are any changes there.

Trial and Error.

I know i feel better when not eating animal products of any kind.  I also feel better eating raw organic foods.  I am not one who has done this for years as Dr. Gabriel Cousins has, but I'm giving it a go and seeing what happens.

In just the last week I have had a mineral analysis done, an in depth adrenal test done and blood work ( thyroid panels, CBC, and Vit D).  I'll report back when the results come in.

We all can agree that fast food and soda can't be health building right? :-)

How is everyone doing?
~Amy~
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745975 tn?1258960922
Hi everyone really quickly i wanted to add something. I was reading up on both the raw foods diet as well as the diet that want20bike was advocating; the paleo diet, and i wanted to make it clear that those two diets are mutually exclusive. You cannot be on the paleo diet and the raw foods diet at the same time.

The basis of the paleo diet is to cut out foods such as grains, potatos, beans and other food whcih when raw appearently have some toxic properties.... basically to eat only foods that humans would have eaten prior to agricultural cultivation. HOWEVER this diet suggests eating a high percentage of meats because as omnivores, we are adapeted to digesting and getting the most energy and benefits from meats (in addition to fruits, nuts and veges).

Obviosuly eating meat is not really that possible in the raw foods diet except for perhaps sushi grade fish, and some salt cured meats. From conversations i've had from Amy (Fancypantsandme), according to believers of the raw foods diet, eating meats, eggs, and dairy are highly frowned upon.

So it's very difficult to decide to choose a diet as a means to heal yourself when there is no way to determine which is okay and which is not.... to figure out which is going to help you feel better and which is making things worse. I can go ahead and find literature to back up a claim on anything.... and different doctors and scientists say different things. It's confusing.
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Avatar universal
HI,
I would start by getting off all wheat and gluten ( celiacs disease).  Do this for 3 weeks and see how you feel.  MOST people have issues with wheat and gluten.   You don't need the fancy tests to prove it, just get off those things and see how you feel.  They aren't essential anyway in anyone's diet.  The next step would be DAIRY and all animal products. READ The China Study...if I could recommend ONE book, that one would be it.

Good luck, I want to hear how you feel after just 3 days of being off wheat and gluten.
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
~Amy~
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Avatar universal
Hi, I'm new here and am not really sure how to get around the site...but I have just read most of the page above where I am typing...I know that my symptoms are aggrevated by some foods - I just can't figureout which ones!!  HELP!!
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Avatar universal
One thing I learned over vacation..if your hormones aren't balanced..man or woman you are going to have trouble with diet and exercise and anything else you do BEFORE you start to feel better.

Please go to www.restorativeendocrinology.com and follow the link to the on-line radio interview with Dr. Janet Lang ( I'm seeing one of her associates today).

Also e-mail me about the new autoimmune board I'm setting up.

Eat well, live well, be well.
~Amy~
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Avatar universal
Just to comment on CHANGE...you need support!  I've been a Life Coach for over 15 years and taught self help groups/workshops and worked with people one on one.  The key to change, from what i have been able to witness are two fold...
1. education and your WHY..why do you want to make the changes and education around supporting those changes.  for example..wanting to reverse an autoimmune disease..you have to educate yourself on HOW others have done it.  The changes they made and what worked for them, research the medical documents, educating yourself on how it can be done.

2. outside support, whether on-line or where you live..you need others around you to understand what you're trying to do and you have to EDUCATE them on how they can support you in making those changes...for example if you're trying to not eat wheat or gluten, if you have a party to go to, bring your own food and talk to the person having the party and say can we have fresh veggies and fruit too?

From there you have to realize your organizational skills will need to be honed and your time management skills will need to be worked on.

Good luck,
~Amy~
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Avatar universal
Back from vacation and trying to catch up with posts. Will respond as I have time.
Kids back in school.
Saw a new dermatologist Monday..I'm smarter than her..no help.
Seeing a new doctor today an associate of Dr. Janet Lang ( www.restorativeendocrinology.com) go to her site and listen to her interview on Talk America, you won't be the same after you hear her.  Going to hopefully get hormones balanced WITHOUT adding hormones or taking bioidentical..going to get my body back to balance and doing what it's suppose to do on it's own.  I'll stay in touch with updates on what she's doing with me.
ALSO starting my own autoimmune board:understanding what's happening..sharing EVERYTHING I am learning and doing with anyone who wants to read,educate and share their own stories.  Just a bit more intimate than a site this big...this site is awesome, don't get me wrong..just more intimate and can ask questions etc.  Will have all the research I've done and documentation as to why I believe what I believe about healing and reversal of disease.

Take care..I'll be back.
~Amy~
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745975 tn?1258960922
Smokey3550,

I was never arguing against want20bike, and the principal of eating well. I believe 100% in eating the right things. But don't think it's as easy as just giving it a try because it is a whole life style change. I'm positive that want2bike will tell you that it takes a lot of work and effort and desire to eat that way, and I think it's a great idea but it's a huge commitment and difficult to stick to. BUT I think it's absolutely worth it and if i didn't have my autoimmune issues,  i would probably feel like a million bucks like i did before getting ill last year.  Basically I think eating right is worth it,  but trust me it's not easy.

The only thing i was arguing against was his/her original discourse that is all.  If you read his/her original posts he/she says it's a cure, which is just not true. It might put you into remission it's not a cure for autoimmune issues there is no cure.

Anyhow I agree 100% what what you are saying.

Want2bike,

I don't think you really read my whole post. I never said people should not try to change and eat the right things. Only was pointing out that I'm guessing the reason you were kicked off the MS forum was not because of your alternative ideas, but your discourse. You need to be more aware of how you are phrasing things. It's not the concept of eating a particular diet that offended people, it's how you phrased it. Re-read your old posts..... you are basically insinuating that it is the disease sufferers fault that they are still sick since they don't eat the right things, and that they are too stubborn to try. I'm not offended... it doesn't bother me, but i don't suffer from MS, so I'm just saying i can see why you did offend.

I don't care if you say something like "I healed my self" and "Doctors did nothing for me" but.... not everyone has had the same experiences as you, so you shouldn't say it like that. Also when you say things like  "you can heal yourself" it just reads wrong.... sorry.

I'm sorry that you've had bad experiences with Doctors.  It definitely explains where the chip on your shoulder came from.

I never said natural healing was bad and that doctors are the way to go....I haven't read anyone on here that has said that.... I dont think there is a person on earth that will tell you that eating the right foods is not good for you and has no benefits, it's common sense.

Lastly, most of these diseases are idopathic meaning they don't know WHAT causes them, there is no proof that diet or food caused the diseases in the first place and there is no proof that changing your diet will do anything, except in the case of some autoimmune diseases where there does seem to be a link between diet, leaky gut and that being the catalyst for the disease.

I believe in eating right and doing all I can to help my body, but also allowing for the wonders of modern medicine to help me along. I cannot help but being in awe of all that we have accomplished in medicine over the last hundred years. It's also not always a cure. neither medicine or diet are 100% cures for all ailments. All we can do for ourselves is do the best we can for our own bodies, be our own advocates, and seek medical help when we need it.


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Avatar universal
I am with want20bike he is telling you that eating correct might or might not cure you but if there is a chance why not try it. And just think how much worse you might feel if you weren't eating the way you do. I say to people out there do knock it unless you try it. I know you are doing it and you don't see any difference but like I said just think how much worse you might feel if you weren't doing. I believe it does cure some people just like I think somew medicine cure people and that is the point keeping the options open.
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Avatar universal
Haven't heard from FancyPantsandME lately.  Hope she hasn't said the wrong thing on one of these boards.    
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Avatar universal
Sorry your diet has not helped you more but what I have read concerning the Paleo Diet suggest some people can be cured of their disease.  Seems the longer a person has had a disease the harder it is to reverse the process.  I myself have had a number of sympthoms which have gone away due to what I have been doing.  I do have a muscle spasm condition on the left side of my face which is still present.  The condition started over 20years ago and may never go away.  When I went to doctors with this condition they gave me muscle relaxers.  The only thing these muscle relaxers did was make it hard for me to breath since they seem to relax the muscles in my chest.  Everytime I go to the doctor he wants to send me to a neurologist to get me some botox but that is not for me.  I prefer to address this problem with natural healilng and that is my choice.  This is the same doctor which gave me blood pressure medicine and told me I would need it for the rest of my life.  I dropped 35lbs due to the new diet and I no longer need the blood pressure medicine.  This doctor told me the pains I was having was due to old age and I would just have to live with them.  Those pains are gone and I am a year older.  Have to relate this to my diet.  I got the opinion the doctors in the emergency room really didn't believe the sympthoms I was telling them because they couldn't see any signs on the test they run.  If the doctors can't see this on their MRI or exrays they don't exist.  Doctors hate to admit they do not know what is wrong with you.  If the doctors cannot help, you need to find something else.  The doctors could not help me and I was able to find the real way the body can heal itself.  I do not think someone following a natural way of healing is any worse than the drugs the doctors put you on.  Doctors can do certain things.  They can set broken bones, replace organs, run test, and cure some forms of bacteria.  Doctors can do nothing about viruses and cannot cure these neurological diseases.  They can give you drugs to cover up the sympthoms and if that drug doesn't work they will try another drug.  These drugs do have side effects and are not good for the body.  Makes me feel like a guiene pig.  Sometimes they find out too late that these drugs are harmful.  The FDA all of the sudden discovered Tylenol can harm the liver if you take the recommended dosage.  Their solution is to lower the dosage so it will not harm the liver as much.  Harming the liver just a little bit doesn't sound like a good solution to me.  Many coming to these boards are here because the doctors could not help them and they are looking for hope.  The natural method of healing has exsisted since ancient times and my experience with taking these drugs has not been good.  No, a natural form of healing does not cure everyone but it will not hurt anyone to eat healthy.  If doing what you are doing works for you that is fine but you should not be insulted by me giving people another option to good health.  When the doctor tells you there is nothing wrong with you and you have to live with what you have it is nice to have something else to try.  Suppression of ideas is not the solution to solving the health problems we have.  Everyone must decide for theirself which direction to go and this is best done when you have all the information.  
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745975 tn?1258960922
I don't think you and I are saying different things. I just don't see it as a cure, I just see it as a way to live better and for most people to feel better. I don't know why people seem to think I am arguing against this whole concept of eating raw food and eating healthy, organic, non-processed foods....... I'm not. I'm simply saying that I'm not of the camp that believes that it cures cancer, reverses autoimmune diseases and causes the body to heal all of it's ailments. I think that is where there is a lot of stretching and hoping for control back comes in.  I don't think the body is always equipped to repair it self, regardless of level of nutrients, enzymes etc. It would be wonderful if it always did... What I DO think is that there are certain foods which are just not meant for consistent human consumption including processed grains, and most refined foods.

And anyways go back through and read the language of your first few posts, it sounds through the tone that you are implying that food can be a cure. I'm not personally bothered by it at all, but i can see why some people would get offended when you say things like "you can heal yourself" and  "all the doctors do is give you the drugs that are themselves poison for the body. " I mean, not only are those statements ridiculous and somehow offensive to the disease sufferer, since it would seem to indicate that it is the disease suffers fault for not eating the right things. It's also offensive to the doctors who treat people with illnesses. FYI not all Doctors are here to take people's money. Modern medicine is not perfect but it IS amazing nevertheless.

When challenged on the subject, and when someone says they don't think diet is a cure per se, you digress and say you also don't think it's a cure, but that it is key to good health.... when above you said almost verbatim that you think eating right and detoxing is a cure. See quote below:

"The only thing I would like to do is inform someone who is new to these diseases that there is another option and they like me can cure themself if the take the right supplements to detoxify the body and eat a healthy diet. "

And that statement is just not true. Im not saying that it doesn't work because for some people it really might help and maybe even put someone's diseases into remission (going gluten free rid my friend of her thyroid problem, going gluten free did not change mine.)  What works for you might not work for me. I don't really like the attitude that people who have been sick for a long time, and who don't do the diet are stubborn, afraid to change and bringing their disease upon themselves... I'd be upset too if i was a long term MS sufferer and was reading comments.

Lastly, I eat nearly 100% organic. I grow all of my own vegetables and many of my own fruits. I make my own juices with a juicer. I eat little meat, (I do eat lots of sushi grade raw fish. I love hard boiled eggs though :( and am a sucker for unprocessed, unsweetened yogurts and milks. I eat grains like quinoa, and i've been gluten free for quite a while now. I avoid alcohol since it makes me sick and get lots of exercise. As a result i look healthy, but inside i struggle with feeling ill. I've been eating like this for years, and I'm not getting better.  my breakdown is apx. 75+% raw. 98% whole unprocessed foods. Of that it's 50% protein, 25% friut 25% vege.

Bottom line... processed foods are tasty but bad for the body, people should stop eating them because they are just not going to help you feel better & might be making you feel worse.... might have even started something in the gut that manifested into other issues (autoimmune or otherwise).  Changing diet like that is a lifestyle change for the better in terms of over all health, and should not be viewed as a race for a cure, if you go into remission while on the journey, all the better.




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Avatar universal
Diet is not a Cure-all.  It is one aspect to good health. Diet is only one thing I have done to give me good health but I do believe it is important for me. We are all different and must find out what works for us.  I believe in trying what seems logical and allow my body to tell me if it works.  Hippocrates the father of western medicine said "Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food".  The ancient Greeks understood the relationship between diet and good health.

Your body needs the necessary vitamins and minerals to repair itself.  Eating hydrogenated oils, sugar, and artifical sweeteners do not give the body what it needs to repair itself.  If you smoke, drink alcohol, take drugs, have a toxic enviroment or a genetic problem the diet alone may not be enough.  Think eating a diet that has the vitamins and minerals in it should make anyone feel better even if it doesn't cure them.  Some natural healers use juicing as a way to cure cancer.  Using concentrated vegetable and fruit juices give the body vitamins and minerals in a more concentrated form allowing the body to heal itself in some cases.  Not everyone is cured by this.  It is just something you can try.  You have to choose what is right for you.  Some choose to let the doctor give them drugs and some choose natural healing.  The only thing I would recommend is read as much as you can and decide what is right for you.    
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745975 tn?1258960922
I would always be willing to try anything. I agree that changing diet it difficult for most people, and especially socially since just about every social interaction involves food and beverage. However, i think that one of the reasons why some people hold on so hard to the thought that food can CURE their illnesses is that in reality they really strive to have control back over their bodies. The thought that changing your diet can make you feel normal again, gives these people back the power over their bodies they used to have. And in that respect it could have a good psychological benefit. I've read some of the concepts behind eating raw and organic foods and the benefits they have to the body, but i'm not convinced on the claim that eating that way is a cure....

I mean the best article I've recently read was not one of those written by any Doctors who's names cannot be printed... haha... but in the July issue of Scientific American (I think it can be read online.) It's about celiac disease and it's connection to other autoimmune diseases. It tells from a scientific stand point why leaky gut causes a host of other issues.

I suggest people read it because it's interesting, educational and well written.

Anyways bottom line is that as much as I believe in living a very healthy lifestyle, I don't think that eating certain foods is a Cure-all, i think that it really is a persons desperate grasp for control.
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Avatar universal
Many of these boards are populated by people who have been there many years.  They are not necessarily based on healing but on a social network.  They have their ideas and often not receptive to other forms of healing.  Many will tell you they have tried these things you recommend and it hasn't worked for them.  They have spent maybe 60 years of eating improperly and expect to see results in 1 week.  Most people are pretty comfortable in their lifestyle and do not want to change.  With me I had to get very ill before I realized I had to change my lifestyle.  I am hoping some of what I post will keep others from becoming as ill as I was.      
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Avatar universal
I'm right there with you on the pizza and I can't even eat gluten be I can dream about it. All of you are correct we have to make our own decision about what is best for us but when you get to where nothing is helping we should consider  that there are other things out there we could try even if it goes against everything we were raised  to believe. I don't know about you but when I hurt I will just about try anything to make it better.
Which brings me to think the board administrator or the people complaining about peoples post must not be sick with something that constantly hurts them because if they were they wouldn't be so quick to kick people off for trying to give people every option out there to help them.
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902019 tn?1249861414
Funny, I thought we're all simply sharing information we gleen through our experiences and readings - for others to think on, glance over, or totally igore.  Relievedly though, I see now I don't have to panic that  1.  I might find myself in the horrific position of my eyes making contact with printed surnames of any designated persona non grata sorts, or   2.  I could become distraught and overwhelmed by the anguish of making an intelligent decision for myself.

Otherwise, MH and the AI disorders community a fine source, been very helpful and informative, lotta good people.  I guess we just move on, smile, send out for a pizza (all-dressed pls..)
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Avatar universal
I can tell you for a fact they don't like you putting certain information on some of these boards.  If too many of the people on these boards do not agree with what you are posting they will report you and you will lose your ability to post.  Then in order to post you will have to get another name and e-mail address.  If you notice my name has changed.  Seems people on the MS board do not want to know about certain things.  I was told I shouldn't be posting Hal Higgins book "Solving the MS Mystery". The things I  recommend such as diet, detoxification, juicing and fasting were posting a "cure" and since they did not see this as a "cure" I couldn't post there anymore.  I mention to the board administrator that other books were recommended on their site but think it depends on if the majority agrees with what you are saying.  If too many complain about you they will stop your abilitiy to post.  Fortunately this board seems to be more receptive to freedom of thought.  
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902019 tn?1249861414
I've never heard of Dr. Max WhoseNameMayNotBePrinted and was vaguely curious as to who he is.  I would however appreciate if MedHelp would offer an explanation to everyone re the censorship of the mere utterance of his or anyone's name.
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387767 tn?1345872027
I'm not trying to argue, just have a discussion like everyone else here.  I would love to get better, and I am trying a lot of ways to do it.  I purchased several books about diet and lifestyle, and as I said I eat pretty healthy, drink nothing but water, etc.  I do the best I can.   But I also have to take some medicines, which I know help me, such as blood pressure pills.  

Also, you have to live your life.  To expect people to eat all raw food and never go out and have a slice of pizza or a hamburger is unrealistic.  I try to find a balance.
  
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Avatar universal
Hey hi and thanks for the post.
I'm only here to educate and inform of something I'm doing to heal.  i want to hear every one's story and what they are doing to feel better.

As one poster stated it may not fix everything but I certainly feel MUCH better than I did even 6 months ago.  So food is huge in how i feel every day.  I'm not gluten and wheat free yet but when i eat it..I don't feel so great...so something is going on..food, for me is atleast 80% of my overall "healer". Iknow in time if I have celiacs and I don't get ride of it completely I can die...due to mal absorption of the minerals and nutrients i need to live.
That's a bit sobering.

Tell us your story :-)

~Amy~
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