Lesson Overview

In this lesson, we explore factors that contribute to immune dysfunction and autoimmune disease, and review health and wellness practices that support the immune system and reverse the conditions leading to autoimmune disorder.

Objective

Be familiar with factors that contribute to immune dysfunction and autoimmune disease (including stress, environmental factors such as toxins, and internal conditions such as inflammation or lymphatic congestion), and with health and wellness practices that support the immune system and reverse the conditions leading to autoimmune disorder.

Description

Note the prevalence of immune dysfunction. Define immune deficiency and immune over-activity. List 10 factors that negatively impact the immune system. Include research and source references for verification, particularly the research on intestinal issues increasing the risk of autoimmune disease and the vital role of Vitamin D. Describe lymphatic congestion, the important impact this has on the immune system, and techniques for improving lymphatic drainage. Define autoimmune disease and describe a few specific diagnoses including RA, Celiac Disease, IBS, Diabetes Type 1, and MS. Provide five big picture objectives for restoring and optimizing a healthy immune system, and 11 fundamental wellness practices. List a number of other immune support tips and considerations.

Vocabulary

allergic reaction, autoimmune disease, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, diabetes type 1, dysbiosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), Hashimoto’s disease / chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, immune over-reactivity, immune under-reactivity / deficiency, irritable bowel syndrome/disease (IBS / IBD), lupus, lymphatic drainage, multiple sclerosis (MS), pernicious anemia, psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ulcerative colitis, vitiligo