Advisory

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are a type of condition where the body's immune system starts attacking its own cells and tissues because it incorrectly recognizes them as foreign. This can lead to a wide range of health problems, including inflammation, pain, organ damage, and various body functions' impairment. There are several different types of autoimmune diseases—lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and many others. Nutrition plays a crucial role in managing and preventing autoimmune diseases. Some foods can exacerbate inflammation and other symptoms of these conditions, while others can help strengthen the immune system and alleviate their manifestations.

Hello,

Is the use of green foods appropriate for autoimmune diseases, particularly for multiple sclerosis? The internet is full of very contradictory opinions, with half of the people claiming that in such cases it is literally undesirable to boost the immune system, while the other half say that the immunity in these patients is actually weakened (out of balance) and these foods are significant.

Thank you for your response.

There is no consensus on this topic among the professional community. If I were to present my opinion, I would not hesitate to recommend these products in basic doses in these situations, because they exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, and multiple sclerosis is associated with pro-inflammatory processes. Considering that some algae contain specific immunomodulatory substances, it is sensible not to unnecessarily increase the dosage, as it may be counterproductive.

Hello,

Is it permissible to use ginseng or other adaptogens in the case of autoimmune diseases? I assume probably not, when immunosuppressants are being used, but what if the disease is kept in remission and the person is not on medication?

Thank you.

This is a complex topic. The choice of phytotherapy always depends on which autoimmune disease you want to address based on which tissue or cell group is affected:

- Skin and mucous membranes (lupus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis),
- Joints and cartilage (rheumatoid arthritis),
- Digestive system (Crohn's disease),
- Endocrine glands (autoimmune diabetes, Hashimoto's thyroiditis),
- Nervous system (myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis).

Since autoimmune processes lead to the development of inflammation, it is further necessary to determine whether the herb should serve a more immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory function. Adaptogens are not sufficiently immunosuppressive on their own to halt the autoimmune process, which is why they are commonly used in alternative medicine. In our conditions, the most commonly used are ashwagandha and true ginseng (often as a supplement to regular medication), which can also be combined.

Questions answered by

Mgr. Martin Jelinek
Lecturer and author of the educational system

Nutrition educator, lecturer, and author of the educational system and the ZOF learning application.

Mgr. Martin Jelínek has been systematically involved in nutrition education since 1999. He is the founder of ATAC, the educational company behind NutriCourses, and the author of an educational system focused on nutrition, healthy lifestyle, and the practical application of nutrition knowledge.

He graduated from the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno. Throughout his professional career, he has combined nutrition, education, and the practical application of acquired knowledge. His educational system also includes the ZOF (Zone of Optimal Functioning) learning application, where students turn theory into practical work with meal plans.

In 2007, he launched the first intake of a six-month course focused on the education of nutrition advisors. Over time, this course became the foundation for the further development of the educational system and a range of specialised courses.

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