'The Autoimmune Solution'

The first week of my anti-inflammatory month is over, and actually it has been really enjoyable and also really very positive. I have been experimenting with different recipes throughout the week, coming up with some really tasty, healthy and beneficial foods! 

The 'anti-inflammatory month' that I have decided to take part in means that I am not eating any gluten or dairy. Also no nightshade foods, such as - peppers, tomatoes, aubergine, white potatoes, chilli, paprika - (yes this means no ketchup too!) I will also be cutting out any legumes, grains, starch, caffeine and alcohol - after receiving a brilliant book that Edd got me called the "The Autoimmune Solution". I am really engrossed in this book. It is extremely reassuring and interesting to read something which I can relate to, and, something which makes so much sense to me. I highly recommend if you are suffering from any auto-immune disease to invest in this book - whether you have arthritis, coeliac, Graves disease, lupus, Crohn's disease, psoriasis etc, it is very worthwhile. 

Own Photo: Amy Myers - The Autoimmune Solution.

Also I have done a lot of research this week into gluten and the effect it has on your gut, whether you have an autoimmune disease or not. A gluten-free diet is beneficial for you in so many ways. If you have unknown symptoms  such as pains, aches, stomach cramps, bloating, upset tummy or even just feeling groggy and tired all the time - try to: cut out gluten.

Take action yourself - I have never been officially diagnosed as a coeliac but I know that I have a gluten-sensitivity. Five years ago I started to cut out gluten and I wish I had done it sooner - as there might of been less chance of me developing rheumatoid arthritis. I know that most people can't see themselves having a life without gluten - but then, I can't see myself living my life to its healthiest and fullest with gluten in it. You know your body better than anyone else, so you'll know what is working for you and what isn't.

I also had one of my routine arthritis check-ups on Thursday at Nuffield Oxford, with a really positive doctor. She had no worries about my arthritis spreading and said that it is under control - this is a massive relief for me, after all the hard work I have put in over the last couple of months. Instead of injecting steroids into my joints, she decided a more natural approach of hand therapy would be helpful. It is also the first time a doctor (out of the 4/5 doctors I've seen) who said - 'Well yes, it would make sense to cut out gluten as coeliac is also an auto-immune disease.' Finally someone admitting to me that there is some kind of relationship between arthritis and gluten. Even though I knew this myself, it was good to have some clarification rather than the past doctors, who have looked at me with the same bemused expression - why would gluten effect your inflammation? why would diet help you with your pain? There is no scientific proof of this. - Well no, there isn't. But if I waited around for the scientific research and proof to come out - I would be waiting for a very long, and, very painful time.

 Like I said, you know your body better than anyone else. For me, I know that certain foods, stress, activities not only give me a flare up in my joints but also in my gut. I know what does and doesn't affect me.

I have always said that, I am not a doctor, I am not a nutritionist nor do I have any medical degree. The way I deal with my autoimmune disease is purely based on my own experiences. 

 It is a struggle, living with a disease where your own immune system is attacking itself - where it seems as if your own body has turned against you, it is hard to know where, who and what to to do. And I can fully relate to that.
So if you are willing to try and experiment with a different approach, I fully recommend looking into other ways of helping your autoimmune disease - whether it is researching online, taking a read of 'The Autoimmune Solution" book or even just a quick skim through my blog, do it! 
You are the person who can help yourself most. 

Ryan Gosling + Gluten 

(Sorry if this has been a bit of a tedious post to read - this weekend I will be posting up my truffle recipe for 3 different flavours - which is both gluten, dairy and guilt free plus really delicious!)

MB

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