Food As Medicine

According to modern medicine, there is no known cure for autoimmune diseases, and the only way to reduce the disease symptoms is through your diet.

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, once said, "Let foods be your medicine; and your medicine be your food."

There is so much truth in that statement. All foods contain molecules that are messengers telling your body cells to respond in a certain way, either positively or negatively. In other words, the communication between your body cells impacts how your body functions, in particular, your immune system. Good foods are always better than medications, which work for only 50 - 60 percent of people at best. Therefore, the pivotal role of food on those with myasthenia gravis disorder cannot be over-stressed. As a matter of fact, research showed that some patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis had their symptoms cured simply by changing their diets. 

So, food matters, when it comes to autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis. When we eat something we are not supposed to eat, our bodies send us a message in the form of inflammation, causing irritation and inflammation in our bodies. Unfortunately, many a time, we fail to recognize the message, or simply ignore it. If similar messages as warning signs continue to be overlooked or ignored, the improper food may cause damage to body cells and the immune system.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system becomes dysfunctional, such that it has become incapable of differentiating foreign invaders to the body, such as viruses and bacteria, from natural parts of the body, such as cells and tissues. In addition, a compromised immune system may cause imbalance between killer T cells and antibody-providing B cells (the former are like warriors fighting against foreign invaders into the body's immune system, and the latter are like the weapons and ammunitions used in the fight).

Avoid foods that cause inflammation, given that inflammation is one of the common denominators of many autoimmune diseases. Consume gluten-free foods.

Avoid foods that are high in glycemic index, that is, foods that are loaded with sugar. Bagels, breakfast cereals, cakes, cookies, crackers, and all soft drinks are not good for your immune system. All processed foods made with white flour and white sugar are not recommended. Also, beware of hidden sugar; read food labels before purchase or consumption.

Avoid animal fats from beef because cows nowadays are corn-fed, rather than grass-fed; their meat is loaded with artificial hormones that cause inflammation in humans. Accordingly, dairy products should also be avoided as much as possible. Conversely, good fats are good for the immune system; consume more fish, flax, avocados, coconuts, nuts and seeds that promote a healthy immune system.

Remember, you are what you eat, and you become what you eat. Use food to help your myasthenia gravis disorder, one of the many autoimmune diseases. It may not cure your disease, but it will certainly reduce the severity of your disease symptoms.

Read my book My Myasthenia Gravis to find out more about the autoimmune one disease.

THE IMMUNE SYSTEM RECOVERY PLAN

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau