Environmental Triggers

Posted by Elaine Moore Aug 13, 2007

Autoimmune diseases are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. That is, people with certain immune system and organ specific genes are at risk for developing autoimmune diseases when they’re exposed to certain environmental triggers, including stress, chemicals, airborne pollutants, infectious agents, and food products.

Linking these environmental triggers to autoimmune disease development can be difficult because signs of autoimmune disease development don’t usually occur immediately. In some cases, such as the development of scleroderma after exposure to silica dust, overt symptoms can take many years to develop. In celiac disease, it can take years of eating foods containing gluten protein before sufficient atrophy of the stomach’s villi, and the consequent development of overt symptoms, can occur. In some autoimmune diseases, environmental triggers contribute to flares and exacerbations (worsening) of symptoms.

In the case of post 9/11 sarcoidosis, symptoms of respiratory disease can develop shortly after exposure to airborne toxins and cause fatality within a few months or they can develop slowly, damaging the lungs over long periods of time.

Xenobiotics

Sometimes, plants proteins can mimic the effects of the body’s proteins and trigger xenobiotic effects. Effects may not be noted for years, which is one of the reasons the incidence of autoimmune diseases increases with age. Another reason for this increased incidence is the immune system’s gradual weakening and ineffectiveness, which occur as part of the normal aging process.

Immune System Health

The following of certain diets, the use of antioxidants to reduce the effects of oxidative stress and immunomodulators to strengthen the immune system, and the avoidance of allergens, cigarette smoke and drugs are all ways of protecting the immune system.

A healthy immune system is strong and able to work effectively. It fights infectious agents and prevents the development of cancer. A weak immune system works erratically. It over-reacts to innocent proteins and fails to destroy infected or cancerous cells. A weak immune system fails even more when it’s stimulated. And it heals and becomes more effective when it’s strengthened.

Resource

Elaine Moore, Autoimmune Diseases and Their Environmental Triggers, Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Company, 2002.