Why Are Autoimmune Conditions on the Rise?

In recent years, more people have been diagnosed with autoimmune conditions than ever before. Disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and celiac disease are becoming increasingly common and not just among older adults. They are showing up in younger populations too.

So why are autoimmune conditions on the rise?

At Prairie Naturopathic Doctors, we look at this question through the lens of Holistic Health. Autoimmunity does not happen overnight; it develops gradually as the body’s systems become overwhelmed by chronic inflammation, stress, environmental toxins, and nutritional imbalances.

Understanding what drives these conditions is the first step toward finding real, lasting relief.

 

What Is Autoimmunity?

The immune system is designed to protect you. It identifies harmful invaders such as viruses, bacteria, or toxins and mounts a defense to keep you safe. In autoimmune conditions, the immune system becomes confused. Instead of attacking only threats, it begins targeting the body’s own healthy tissues.

This chronic state of misdirected inflammation can affect nearly any system in the body, including the thyroid, joints, skin, digestive tract, or nervous system. Over time, symptoms can include fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, digestive upset, and hormone imbalances.

While conventional medicine often focuses on symptom management, Naturopathic Medicine looks deeper to uncover why the immune system became dysregulated in the first place.

 

The Growing Prevalence of Autoimmune Conditions

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 24 million Americans live with at least one autoimmune disease, and experts believe the real number is even higher due to underdiagnosis.

This increase cannot be explained by genetics alone. Our genes have not changed much in recent decades, but our lifestyles, environments, and stress levels have. Modern living plays a major role in the rise of autoimmunity.

 

Root Causes Behind Autoimmune Conditions

From a Holistic Health standpoint, autoimmune conditions develop when the immune system becomes overactivated and loses tolerance for the body’s own tissues. Several factors can contribute to this imbalance, and they often overlap.

Chronic Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural part of healing, but when it becomes chronic, it can harm the body. Poor diet, environmental toxins, stress, and infections can all drive persistent inflammation that keeps the immune system in overdrive.

Reducing inflammation through Nutritional Therapy, Herbal Medicine, and Natural Remedies is key to calming the immune response. Anti-inflammatory foods such as leafy greens, berries, turmeric, and omega-3-rich fish can help restore balance at the cellular level.

 

Gut Health and Leaky Gut

Up to 70 percent of the immune system resides in the gut. When the intestinal lining becomes compromised, undigested food particles, bacteria, and toxins can enter the bloodstream. The immune system reacts aggressively to these invaders, which may trigger autoimmune activity over time.

Common causes of leaky gut include processed foods, chronic stress, chemical exposure, medications such as antibiotics or NSAIDs, and gut infections.

Naturopathic Medicine focuses on healing the gut through diet, probiotics, physiotherapy, herbal medicine and targeted supplements. Herbal Medicine such as licorice root, slippery elm, and marshmallow root can help soothe and repair the intestinal lining.

By restoring gut integrity, the immune system can recalibrate and reduce inappropriate inflammatory responses.

 

Nutrient Deficiencies

Modern diets often lack the nutrients necessary for immune balance. Deficiencies in vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, magnesium, and selenium can make it harder for the immune system to distinguish between self and non-self.

A Naturopathic Doctor may recommend lab testing to identify deficiencies and use Nutritional Therapy and Supplements to correct them.

Examples include:

• Vitamin D helps regulate immune function and reduce inflammation.
   
• Omega-3 fatty acids support a balanced inflammatory response.
   
• Zinc and selenium are essential for healthy thyroid and immune function.
   

When nutrient levels are optimized, the immune system can function more intelligently and effectively.

 

Environmental Toxins

We are exposed daily to chemicals through food, air, water, cleaning products, and personal care items. These toxins can accumulate in the body, placing extra stress on the liver, immune system, and endocrine system.

Heavy metals, pesticides, mold toxins, and industrial pollutants have all been linked to autoimmune reactions.

Holistic Health emphasizes reducing exposure and supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways through nutrition, hydration, and Herbal Medicine.

Milk thistle, dandelion root, and burdock are common Natural Remedies used in Naturopathic Medicine to support liver health and promote gentle detoxification.

 

Chronic Stress

Stress is a major but often overlooked contributor to autoimmune conditions. When stress becomes chronic, cortisol levels stay elevated, weakening the immune system’s ability to regulate itself.

Over time, this imbalance can lead to both inflammation and tissue breakdown.

Naturopathic Medicine uses mind-body approaches such as meditation, acupuncture, gentle movement, and Herbal Medicine like ashwagandha and holy basil to help the body adapt to stress.

When stress hormones normalize, the immune system becomes less reactive, and healing can begin.

 

Viral and Bacterial Triggers

Certain infections, including Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and bacterial overgrowth in the gut, can trigger autoimmune reactions in susceptible individuals.

Addressing chronic infections through Natural Remedies, immune support, and gut restoration is essential in a comprehensive naturopathic treatment plan.

Herbs such as echinacea, astragalus, and olive leaf extract may help support immune resilience while calming excessive immune activity.

 

The Gut-Immune Connection

The gut and immune system are deeply interconnected. A diverse, healthy gut microbiome trains the immune system to respond appropriately. When the microbiome becomes imbalanced, the immune system can become confused and overly reactive.

Nutritional Therapy for autoimmune support focuses on nourishing the gut lining and balancing microbial diversity. This includes eliminating inflammatory foods, adding probiotics and prebiotics, and using Herbal Medicine to soothe and protect digestion.

At Prairie Naturopathic Doctors, we often see that when patients begin healing the gut, their autoimmune symptoms naturally start to improve.

 

The Role of Hormones and Autoimmunity

Autoimmune conditions occur more often in women than men, showing that hormones play a key role. Estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones all interact with the immune system. When these hormones fluctuate or become imbalanced, immune regulation can be disrupted.

Naturopathic Medicine restores balance by addressing the root cause of hormonal changes, whether from stress, nutrient deficiencies, or environmental exposure.

Supporting the endocrine system with Herbal Medicine, Supplements, and lifestyle changes helps create conditions for both hormonal and immune stability.

 

Healing Through Holistic Health

A diagnosis of an autoimmune condition can feel discouraging, but healing is possible when the body is supported as a whole. Holistic Health approaches aim to create internal harmony so that the immune system can calm, repair, and restore balance.

A comprehensive naturopathic plan for autoimmune support may include:

• Nutritional Therapy to reduce inflammation and heal the gut
   
• Herbal Medicine to modulate immune activity and support detoxification
   
• Natural Remedies to improve energy, sleep, and stress resilience
   
• Supplements to restore nutrient balance
   
• Physiotherapy to enhance organ function, circulation, and detoxification
   
• Colon Hydrotherapy (colonic) to cleanse the bowel and Sauna to cleanse chemicals.
   

When all systems of the body are supported together, symptoms can decrease, energy can return, and the immune system can function more appropriately.

 

Nutritional Therapy for Autoimmune Support

Food is one of the most powerful forms of medicine. An anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense diet can profoundly affect immune function.

Key strategies include:

• Focusing on whole, unprocessed foods such as vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and lean proteins
   
• Reducing refined sugar and processed grains
   
• Incorporating omega-3-rich foods such as wild-caught fish, flaxseed, and chia seeds
   
• Using herbs and spices like turmeric and ginger for their anti-inflammatory properties
   
• Staying hydrated and supporting digestion with herbal teas such as chamomile or peppermint
   

Nutritional Therapy not only gives the body what it needs to heal but also creates sustainable habits for long-term wellness.

 

How Physiotherapy Complements Autoimmune Care

Integrating Naturopathic Physiotherapy allows for a well-rounded approach that supports various systems in the body such as digestion, detoxification and circulation.  Applying a combination of hydrotherapy and electrical applications to nerve centers proper organ function can be restored.

The Emotional Side of Autoimmunity

Living with an autoimmune condition can be emotionally challenging. The unpredictability of symptoms can create frustration, anxiety, or fear. Naturopathic Medicine recognizes that emotional and physical health are deeply connected.

Stress management techniques such as journaling, mindfulness, and breathwork are just as important as nutrition and Herbal Medicine. Supporting both the mind and body helps create the foundation for lasting wellness.

 

When to Seek Naturopathic Care

If you suspect you may have an autoimmune condition, or if you have been diagnosed but are not finding relief, Naturopathic Medicine offers a more comprehensive path to healing.

Consider seeking support if you experience:

• Unexplained fatigue or joint pain
   
• Digestive issues such as bloating or irregularity
   
• Hormonal fluctuations or irregular cycles
   
• Skin conditions such as rashes or sensitivities
   
• Frequent infections or chronic inflammation
   

By identifying root causes instead of masking symptoms, Holistic Health care helps you regain control of your health and quality of life.

 

A Balanced Path Forward

The rise in autoimmune conditions is a reflection of how modern lifestyles can strain the body’s natural balance. With the right support, it is possible to restore that balance and help the immune system function properly again.

At Prairie Naturopathic Doctors, we help patients uncover and address the root causes of inflammation and immune dysfunction using Holistic Health, Naturopathic Medicine, Natural Remedies, Herbal Medicine, Supplements, Nutritional Therapy, and Nutritional Therapy and Physiotherapy.

Your immune system is not broken; it simply needs support and care. When you nourish your body, calm your mind, and address what is causing imbalance, true healing can begin from within.