Autoimmunity 

An autoimmune disease is what happens when your immune system—usually your loyal bodyguard—gets a touch of mistaken identity crisis and starts tackling your own cells as if they were villainous invaders. This mix-up is fuelled by genetics, environmental triggers (think infections or stress), and sometimes your gut microbes going rogue on the job. The result? Your own body’s well-intentioned “security team” creates friendly fire—all out of love, of course.

Here’s a list showing how many Canadians are affected by each of the top autoimmune diseases, using the most up-to-date prevalence statistics from national registries and peer-reviewed Canadian sources:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: 1.2% of Canadians aged 16+ (about 374,000 people)
• Type 1 Diabetes: 0.8% of Canadians (about 300,000 people)
• Multiple Sclerosis: 0.25% (1 in 400 adults; about 90,000 Canadians)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s/UC): 0.7%
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: 0.05–0.1%; higher in women
• Psoriasis: 2–3% of Canadians (over 800,000 people)
• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: 1–2% (best estimate; registry data limited)
• Graves’ Disease: 0.5–1%
• Sjögren’s Syndrome: 0.2–0.6%
• Celiac Disease: 1%

Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, and celiac disease are especially common and rising each year, while MS is a stand-out for being far more prevalent in Canada than elsewhere.

Autoimmune diseases tend to throw a wild party with some very familiar guests:

• Fatigue (the kind that makes you want to nap until spring)
• Achy, swollen joints
• Muscle pain
• Unexplained fever (Is it the flu, or is it just Tuesday?)
• Skin changes (rashes, color shifts, or hair doing a vanishing act)
• Digestive rumbles (bloating, diarrhea, or food sensitivities)
• Brain fog (“Where did I put my keys...and my thoughts?”)

Every disease has its quirks, but these are the recurring punchlines.

Diagnosis is like detective work with extra test tubes—doctors use patient history, a physical exam, blood tests for autoantibodies, and sometimes images or biopsies to unmask the culprit. There’s rarely a “one test solves all,” so expect some medical sleuthing.

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Blood tests: Rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP antibody, ESR, CRP
• Imaging: X-rays, ultrasound, MRI for joint changes
• Joint aspiration if infection/crystals suspected

2. Type 1 Diabetes

• Fasting blood glucose
• Random blood glucose
• Oral glucose tolerance test
• HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin)
• Autoantibody testing (GAD, ICA, IA-2)
• Urine ketone test

3. Multiple Sclerosis

• MRI of brain/spinal cord
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) for oligoclonal bands
• Evoked potentials (measuring nerve conduction)
• Blood tests to rule out other causes

4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s/Ulcerative Colitis)

• Colonoscopy/biopsy
• Blood: CBC, CRP, ESR
• Stool test (calprotectin, rule out infection)
• Imaging: CT/MRI for bowel inflammation

5. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• ANA (antinuclear antibody)
• anti-dsDNA, anti-Smith antibody
• CBC, complement levels (C3/C4), urinalysis
• Imaging as needed for organ involvement

6. Psoriasis

• Clinical diagnosis (mostly by sight)
• Skin biopsy if the diagnosis is unclear

7. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

• TSH, free T4
• Anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies

8. Graves’ Disease

• TSH, free T4, free T3
• TSH receptor antibody
• Thyroid uptake scan

9. Sjögren’s Syndrome

• Anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies
• Schirmer’s test (for dry eyes)
• Salivary gland biopsy

10. Celiac Disease

• Tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG-IgA)
• Total IgA (to check for deficiency)
• Biopsy of small bowel (gold standard)

Common suspects include infections, stress, sunlight, some medications, and sometimes foods or environmental exposures. Even weather changes can play a role—autoimmunity’s “predictable unpredictability.”

Autoimmune diseases love a good family gathering—having a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) with an autoimmune condition means a higher personal risk, sometimes doubled or more depending on the disease. This “genetic lottery” isn’t rigged, though: most autoimmune conditions are not directly hereditary but are influenced by a complex puzzle of genetic factors and environmental triggers that can stack the odds. Even if a parent has rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes, it's not a guarantee for the kids; it just nudges the risk higher for a whole family of autoimmune flavours—not necessarily the same disease.

But here’s the good news: healthy habits can tip the balance in your favour. Nourishing foods, regular movement, sleep that isn’t just wishful thinking, stress management, and a happy gut microbiome can help keep your body’s defence team peace-loving rather than punchy. While there’s no “foolproof shield,” stacking these lifestyle strategies may help delay onset or minimize flares—especially for those with a family history.

Think of it as rigging the genetic lottery with a little extra self-care, where every healthy choice buys another ticket for immune serenity.

Prescription management for autoimmune diseases is like an RPG: the bigger the baddie, the more powerful the potion. Medications are chosen based on disease severity, organ involvement, and past responses, with advanced immune-suppressing agents reserved for severe disease or non-responders. Naturopathic doctors in Canada can prescribe some drugs but are mostly excluded from DMARDs, biologics, and immunosuppressants—reserved for MDs and specialists.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

• Mild: NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), short-term corticosteroids (prednisone)
• Moderate-to-severe or erosive disease: Conventional DMARDs (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine), or biologics (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab), often added if DMARDs fail.
• NDs cannot prescribe DMARDs or biologics—this is done by your rheumatologist.

Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis

• Topical corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs for mild disease.
• Severe: Conventional DMARDs or biologics (ustekinumab, secukinumab).
• NDs limited to topical agents; systemic DMARDs and biologics restricted.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s, UC)

• Mild: Mesalamine, budesonide (oral steroids).
• Moderate-to-severe: Immunomodulators (azathioprine, 6-MP), biologics (infliximab, adalimumab).
• NDs may assist in adjunctive care but not in prescribing biologics or immunosuppressants.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

• Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)—foundational.
• Steroids for flares, DMARDs/biologics (belimumab, rituximab) for severe/systemic involvement.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

• Acute flare: High-dose IV steroids.
• Long-term: Disease-modifying therapies (interferon-beta, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab).
• These drugs are outside ND prescribing authority.

Type 1 Diabetes

• Insulin (all patients).
• Immunosuppressants or biologics only in clinical trials.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

• Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism (prescribable by NDs in BC).
• Immunosuppressants not used in routine clinical care.

Graves’ Disease

• Antithyroid drugs (methimazole), beta-blockers for symptom control.
• Radioactive iodine or surgery for severe/refractory cases.

Sjögren’s Syndrome

• Symptomatic relief: Pilocarpine, saliva substitutes.
• Hydroxychloroquine for systemic symptoms, DMARDs for severe disease.

Celiac Disease

• Lifelong gluten-free diet (no prescription immunosuppressant needed unless associated conditions).

ND Prescribing Limits

While naturopathic doctors in BC can prescribe some hormones, antibiotics, and thyroid medication, access to DMARDs, immunosuppressants, biologics, and controlled substances remains restricted and requires specialist involvement. For severe or complex cases, medical or specialty referral is essential.

Prescription management is always a multidisciplinary affair—the heavier immune artillery comes out only when inflammation threatens long-term health, and always under strict monitoring

Naturopathic management of autoimmune disease blends evidence-based lifestyle, nutrition, supplements, and select pharmacology—always tailored to diagnosis and monitored for safety. Here’s the detail, backed by clinical studies and expert reviews:

Evidence-Based Approaches

Anti-Inflammatory Diets

• Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and cold-water fish (Mediterranean diet) have been shown to lower systemic inflammation and improve quality of life, especially in rheumatoid arthritis and IBD.
• Gluten-free diets prevent flares in celiac disease, and may help Hashimoto’s and psoriasis for select patients.
• Processed foods, excessive sugar, and trans fats drive immune activation—cutting these can dial down flares.

Key Supplements

• Vitamin D & Omega-3s: Large studies show vitamin D and omega-3 supplementation can lower autoimmune risk by up to 30% and reduce inflammation markers, especially in RA and SLE.
• Turmeric (Curcumin): Randomized trials found curcumin effective for lowering inflammatory cytokines in autoimmune arthritis, with benefits seen in pain and joint swelling.
• Boswellia, Reishi, Ginger: Emerging studies support boswellia (frankincense) and reishi’s immune modulating, anti-inflammatory effects.
• Probiotics: Gut-directed therapy with probiotics and a fiber-rich diet shows promise for symptom control in IBD and some systemic autoimmune diseases by supporting microbiome integrity.

Herbs to Avoid

• Immunostimulatory herbs like spirulina, echinacea, chlorella, alfalfa, and elderberry may provoke disease flares—especially in lupus, dermatomyositis, and other “angry immune” syndromes. Multiple studies warn against their use in established autoimmune disease.

Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

• LDN (1.5–4.5 mg nightly) acts as an immune modulator and endorphin stimulant. Small clinical trials in MS, RA, Crohn’s, and fibromyalgia show reductions in pain and inflammatory markers. LDN’s safety profile is excellent, but robust, large-scale trials are still ongoing.

Lifestyle Measures

• Stress reduction: Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness lower TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels, which are central to autoimmune flares.
• Sleep hygiene: Good sleep is linked to reduced flares and improved physical/mental function.
• Movement: Regular exercise, tailored to ability, counters inflammation and boosts mood.
• Integrative care: Acupuncture and mind-body therapies show modest benefit in symptom control (especially pain and fatigue).

Safety & Evidence

• Studies show integrated naturopathic care (diet, supplements, mind-body techniques) can lower inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR, IL-6), pain scores, and improve quality of life for patients living with autoimmune diseases—the key is individualized, monitored strategy in partnership with conventional providers.