👉🏽DOWNLOAD THE PDF Autoimmune conditions are on the rise, affecting millions of people globally. For many, the path to healing can feel like a confusing maze of symptoms, specialists, and prescriptions. But what if we stopped chasing symptoms and started uncovering root causes? What if healing was about bringing the whole body back into balance, physically, mentally, and emotionally? That’s the heart of my upcoming course, A Holistic Approach to Autoimmune Disorders. In this blog post, I’ll be walking you through 9 often-overlooked root causes that can contribute to autoimmune dysfunction. Understanding these factors is the first step in reclaiming your health. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your journey, this knowledge can help you make powerful, informed changes that support your body’s natural ability to heal. Let’s start with the first root cause: leaky gut. 1. Leaky Gut: The Gateway to Chronic Inflammation Your gut isn’t just where food is digested. It’s also where your immune system lives. In fact, around 70% of your immune cells are housed in the gut lining. When that lining becomes damaged, a condition known as “leaky gut” or intestinal permeability, it can let undigested food particles, toxins, and microbes leak into the bloodstream. The immune system sees these intruders and launches an attack. Over time, this constant immune activation can confuse the body, leading it to mistakenly attack its own tissues. This is one of the core mechanisms behind autoimmune disease. Common causes of leaky gut: Overuse of antibiotics or NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) Processed foods and refined sugars Chronic stress Imbalanced gut bacteria Gluten and other inflammatory foods Signs you may have a leaky gut: Bloating, gas, or IBS symptoms Skin issues like eczema or acne Food sensitivities Brain fog or fatigue Joint pain Healing the gut is often the first and most important step in addressing autoimmune disease holistically. This means removing irritants, repairing the gut lining with targeted nutrients, and restoring balance to the microbiome. Learn more in my 20 Module course, Holistic Approaches to Gut Health. 2. Food Sensitivities: When “Healthy” Foods Hurt Food is supposed to nourish us. But for someone with an autoimmune condition, even foods that are technically healthy can trigger inflammation and make symptoms worse. This is because of something called food sensitivities—a delayed, immune-mediated reaction to certain foods that your body starts to perceive as threats. Unlike a food allergy, which can cause immediate and severe reactions, food sensitivities often show up hours or even days after eating. That delay makes them tricky to spot, but they can silently contribute to ongoing immune system activation and inflammation. What causes food sensitivities? Food sensitivities are often the result of leaky gut. When the gut lining is compromised, food particles can enter the bloodstream before they’re fully broken down. The immune system, always on guard, sees these particles as invaders and creates antibodies against them. Over time, this can lead to a long list of sensitivities—even to foods you’ve eaten your whole life without issue. Common culprits include: Gluten Dairy (especially casein) Soy Eggs Corn Nightshades (like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant) Nuts and seeds (for some people) Signs you might have food sensitivities: Digestive issues (bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea) Headaches or migraines Skin problems (rashes, hives, eczema) Joint or muscle pain Fatigue and brain fog Anxiety or mood swings How to identify them: While food sensitivity tests can offer some clues, they’re not always reliable. One of the most effective ways to uncover your personal triggers is through an elimination diet—a short-term, strategic plan where you remove common offenders and then reintroduce them one at a time to observe how your body reacts. This isn’t about restriction for the sake of restriction. It’s about giving your body a break from foods that may be keeping it in a state of constant inflammation. Once the gut is healed and the immune system calms down, many people find they can tolerate more foods again. Quick Recap: Food Sensitivities Often caused by leaky gut and immune overactivation Symptoms can appear hours or days later, making them hard to pinpoint Elimination diets are a powerful tool for identifying triggers 3. Chronic Infections: The Hidden Burden on Your Immune System We tend to think of infections as something short-term, like a cold or flu. But many people with autoimmune conditions are dealing with low-grade, chronic infections that linger under the surface. These infections may not cause obvious symptoms, but they keep the immune system on constant alert, like a smoke alarm that never stops. Over time, this ongoing immune activation can confuse the body and cause it to target its own tissues—a core issue in autoimmunity. Common chronic infections linked to autoimmunity: Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Candida overgrowth Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Tick-borne illnesses (Lyme, Babesia, Bartonella) How they contribute to autoimmune conditions: Chronic infections create inflammation and sometimes molecular mimicry, where the body confuses its own tissues with the pathogen. For example, EBV has been linked to Hashimoto’s and MS, candida overgrowth can worsen psoriasis, and SIBO is common in rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease. Signs of a chronic infection: Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest Brain fog or poor memory Muscle or joint pain Frequent sore throats or swollen glands Skin flare-ups or rashes Symptoms that worsen after stress or illness What helps: Support your immune system with rest, nutrition, and stress reduction. Then, work with a practitioner to gently address chronic infections using immune support, gut healing, and herbal therapies if needed. Quick Recap: Chronic Infections Low-level infections can keep the immune system in overdrive Linked to many autoimmune conditions through inflammation and mimicry Gentle detox and immune support are key 4. Nutrient Deficiencies: When the Body Doesn’t Have the Tools to Heal Imagine trying to build a house without wood, nails, or a solid foundation. That’s what healing is like without key nutrients. Even with a healthy diet, nutrient deficiencies are common in autoimmune conditions and can seriously slow your