Autoimmune and diet......how big is that link?

I understand where you are coming from in a way. I can see why people make a connection between food and disease. And I definitely think our diet impacts how well or otherwise we feel.

But I think that genetics is a science also. I see a specialists who...amongst other things...has looked at my genetic profile and how that affects me. It is his feeling, which I share, that things like diet etc can affect my quality if life but not 'cure' me. There is no cure for me. I was sick from day 1 of my existence.

That may sound fatalistic. But my acceptance of my situation, good treatment and staying as active as I can and not overdoing meds along with trying to eat well and stay active means I live a very normal life. I run my own business and have a good social life these days. When disease was at its worst, I worked but stayed home otherwise for 2 years. I am now in as happy and healthy ( barring a few issues which may or my not be related) as I think I can be.

The problem with trying to ascribe lifestyle choices to illness is it makes people feel they are guilty of not trying hard enough to help themselves. People with long term health condiderations often don't have the wherewithall to be so organised about eating plans and so on. When I was so ill I could barely get put of bed managing a bit if toast and tinned soup was about all I could do of a day. Feeling better now....totally different. My diet us good...I cycle everywhere I can. I take these issues seriously. But changing my diet and cutting out all of the things everyone says is bad for us....that made me feel 10 times worse and liver function went mad. Potssium was low. Vit d was low. I felt totally awful. These kind of diets are not always what we all need and can be detrimental.

i have a huge amount of emapthy and understanding for what u say.

I am so sure you didn't want to have that impact and that you do empathise so was not being critical. 

I think the problem, as I see it, with people giving advice on diet etc is that they don't know fully what they are dealing with. 

For example, I was told so many times by people (still am) take 'echinecea for your immune system'. It is good for building up immunity. Same with garlic. Well before I was diagnosed with Behcet's disease I did try this to really bad effect. 

As I have an auto immune disease which affects my central nervous system....and because I have an over active immune system already....both make me quite ill. My immune system doesn't need to be boosted any more. In fact I need my immune system to be suppressed. 

People who don't understand what is wrong with you make suggestions - with great intentions, not out of badness - about what is good for you. But in fact, my specialist knows better than anyone else what is right or wrong for me. That is why they offer nutritional support and advice to patients. I think I would strongly refute any connection between developing auto immune disease and diet. I think it is a genetic issue. You are wrong to say no one understands the cause of it. Speak to them at Cambridge where they are researching the genetic background of auto immune disease. They understand so much now about the genetic profile 

The relationship between diet and ai disorders is a general one. Not a causal one. Diet can ease symptoms and help to repair damage. Avacados are brilliant for combating inflammation and so make me feel great. Same thing with oily fish. These are great balancing foods. There is a definite link with diet and feeling better. There I totally agree with you. I don't think anyone would dispute that. I have gi issues from Behcet's. Diet improves that. But proper medication for my condition banishes it completely....I haven't had one reaction to food in 3 years! That's not down to diet. That is because the underlying condition is controlled. 

In many clinical studies there has been a link between the gut and auto immune diseases. 

Hyperpermeability is the name given to a very common disorder in which the cells lining the intestines become “leaky” due to inflammation.

There is a wide range of foods to eliminate from ones diet. Starting with eating only eating fresh foods and vegetables. Cooking your own foods. Olive oil, red palm oil and cocunut oils all very good for immune system.

I rarely eat out or I always end up with a tummy ache and other unfashionable issues. I had a long history of IBS and was long gone after I eliminated boxed foods, prepared foods ond restaurant foods,dairy was ok for me except eggs. No carbs sugars or artificial sugars. Drink lots of water helps flush out the system. Also probiotics and prebiotics so help balance our gut. 

I make a lot lot of smoothis easy and delicious all natural fresh foods. I add protein powder for energy. I use coconut water, blueberries antioxidant, keifer a ferminted drink and yogurt. Ferminted foods & drinks are very helpful for the gut which many clinical studies show help they help the immune system.

I have a few auto immune diseases arthritis 3 different types, & psoriasis. Eating better has helped and many foods are also anti imflamatory. 

 As for actual treatment, meds are prescribed to slow down the damage to joints caused by psoriatic arthritis. And two shinny hip joints and one knee joint helps. Modern medicne gave me mobility & a better quality of life.

At the same time I have to include heriditary genes. I have a few of those causing many of the auto immune diseases I cope with today. 

Boy do I feel for my gram & mom. When I was a child there was just the attitude in the medical community well they are old and that's why this or that illness has reared its ugly head. No longer is that the case. 

There is is a lot of good advice in these posts. It's great that we all can share  our experiences. And learning on our own that some foods are reactive in our bodies and cause more issues especially as we age. 

So yes starting with a journal can help you identify the foods that are better for you or that cause problems. Ask your doctor for a diatician for your special needs. If we all ate a diabetic diet which is how we should eat anyway it's not really a "Diet" it's really a healthy way to feed our bodies.

Many different diagnosis respond differently to foods, Chrons or celiac disease another part of the autoimmune puzzle.

Sometimes we have to be our own advocate and study and search for answers as well as depending on good medical advice.