Natural Healing in Autoimmune Disease

Cytokines are proteins such as interferon that are produced by white blood cells during the immune response.
Specific cytokines have specific actions although all cytokines modulate or influence the immune response, for instance by reducing or increasing inflammation, redness, or fever during injury and in immune-mediated diseases.

Cytokines are also known to perpetuate the autoimmune disease process in patients with autoimmune disorders, and are considered responsible for most chronic diseases.

Bioflavinoids

A class of plant chemicals known as bioflavinoids (also known as flavinoids and flavonoids) has been found to dramatically reduce inflammation.

Bioflavinoids especially beneficial in autoimmune disease include catechins and theaflavins in tea and chocolate; anthocyanidins found in apples and cherries; quercetin in citrus pulp; and the herbs boswellia; turmeric; and ginger.
Reduction in C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a natural protein molecule found within the body that rises in inflammation. Blood tests for CRP are used to diagnose autoimmune diseases and confirm disease flares. A reduction in the CRP level is seen in patients who have a favorable response to medications or other therapies.

Researchers at Michigan State University found that diets higher in bioflavinoids were associated with lower CRP levels. They concluded that intake of flavinoid rich foods may reduce inflammation-mediated chronic diseases. They also noted that serum CRP concentrations were typically higher in women, older adults, blacks, smokers, persons with high body mass indexes, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Neuroprotection

Many autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) are injurious to the nervous system. Chinese researchers have determine that citrus flavanones such as quercetin, hesperidin and hesperetin protect the nervous system from the effects of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, with resulting glutamate accumulations, is considered one of the key pathological features in MS and other neurodegenerative disorders.

In several recent studies, a number of plant flavinoids, particularly luteolin, found in celery and green peppers have been found to reduce the inflammatory response in the brain. Luteolin has been found to taper the activity of the immune system cells of the nervous system known as microglia. Microglial activation is responsible for initiating the inflammatory response in neurodegenerative diseases.

Benefits of Plant Compounds

Current drug therapies used in autoimmune disease are generally immunosuppressive agents with the potential to worsen non-immunological mechanisms in the body. The resulting side effects include ischemia, kidney damage, hypertension, susceptibility to infection and elevated lipid levels. Used long-term these agents can also cause bone loss, fibrosis, and cardiac problems.

Bioflavinoids are free of these dangerous effects and have the potential to nurture and strengthen multiple bodily systems. For instance, luteolin in green peppers and celery has been shown to benefit the heart, kidney, skin, endocrine system and lungs. Plant bioflavinoids are also readily available and easy to add to one's diet and they're inexpensive. Currently, researchers are working with extracts of pine. Bioflavinoids found in pine have been found to act as powerful quenchers of free radicals, dramatically reducing oxidative stress and protecting against inflammation.