Why Do People Get Sjögren’s Syndrome ?
Why do nearly 4 million people in the United States have a joint disease called Sjögren’s Syndrome?
Sjögren’s Syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease in which a person’s white blood cells attack their moisture-producing glands. Women are nine times more likely than men to have Sjögren’s Syndrome, particularly if they are over the age of 40. Endocrine imbalances play a role because woman have lower testosterone levels than men and lower adrenal function as they age. Testosterone is a natural anti-inflammatory. Cortisol, which is a hormone secreted from the adrenals, also acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.
Antigen-antibody complexes from eating foods concentrated in animal fats and proteins, lodge in the joint, skin, lung tissues and cause inflammation. (Paganelli R., Detection of Antigen, Lancet 1:1270, 1979.) On September 1, 2011, tennis player Venus Williams announced that she had been diagnosed with Sjögren’s Syndrome. At the time she was withdrawing from the 2011 US Open due to the disease. Recently, she announced she was changing her lifestyle to suit a vegan, raw foods diet to combat the disease. ( http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fshar.es%2FWyIh5&h=3AQFOTOVEAQEs8BPui-nzZwYk85p5u040CwPeM4AsrFhgYg )
A recent blog on Sjogern’s talked of the success of the vegan diet,
“I was in remission from Sjogrens just by following a healthy vegan diet. I was in heaven even my eyes and mouth had moisture.”
In addition to a vegan, low fat & gluten free diet, I recommend adding the following treatments;
- Anti-inflammatory effects of cortisol
- Getting plenty of daylight and deep REM sleep
- Restoring your testosterone which can reduce autoimmune problem
- Consuming foods rich in nitric oxide such as kale, Swiss chard and beets that improve circulation.