Ashlee from @simplholistic is a Holistic Nutritionist who specialises in autoimmunity. When she isn’t working she is traveling with her husband or hanging out with their rescue pup, Gilligan.
Hi Ashlee, can you briefly explain autoimmune disease and how it’s treated in conventional medicine?
When we have an autoimmune disease, our tissue is attacked and/or destroyed by our own body. It’s important to note that our bodies aren’t out to get us and they haven’t betrayed us; they are trying to protect us. Eventually, we lose our ability to right against foreign invaders like parasites or harmful bacteria. In conventional medicine, autoimmunity is usually treated with steroids or pharmaceutical drugs to supress the immune system if it’s overactive.
Can you say more about how our immunity gets suppressed?
After we are chronically inflamed (for a long time), our body becomes weak and incapable of doing what it’s supposed to do.
What about suppression of the immune system just in everyday living? Is that a concern?
When we are constantly exposed to harmful inflammatory chemicals, toxins and pesticides in food, our toxic load is added to. This is a concern because inflammation is the root of all disease. Also, our weird obsession with cleanliness isn’t helping our microbiome.
Can you talk more specifically about how you help patients with autoimmune disease?
I put my patients through a 7-step framework I created and used to heal myself. It’s not meant to treat or diagnose any condition, it’s intended to use food and other things from nature like herbs, adaptogens and tinctures to take away from their toxic load! We work together so I can teach them to reverse their own conditions! It’s tried and true and it’s even helped women to become pregnant after years of trying. Even with PCOS!
Thats awesome! Can you give me a sense for what kinds of autoimmune diseases you most often work with?
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimoto’s, Celiac Disease (these are the three I have and know most about). Plus, psoriasis, which I don’t have.
How often do you see that food sensitivities are contributing to autoimmune processes?
I’ve found this to be true 100% of the time. Bold statement, huh?
What are the types of inflammation and their symptoms?
You can have chronic or acute inflammation. Acute is when you get a scratch and your body sends healers! Chronic is where it gets touchy, this is underlying, low-grade and effects the whole body usually. Including the brain, which they normally can’t feel. Symptoms include: fatigue, sleeplessness, weight gain, acne, bloating and rashes. Plus, digestive disturbances.
What is the autoimmune protocol? And what foods can be eaten/ should be avoided?
It’s a diet that was created to remove triggers of inflammation from the diet so the gut can heal. People on AIP can eat fruits, veggies (that aren’t nightshades), meat, seafood, sweet potato, fats and plantain. Foods to avoid include legumes, nightshades, eggs, dairy, grains, gluten, seeds, nuts and a few others.
What other factors besides food contribute to inflammation?
Environmental toxins and contaminants found in household cleaners, mattress, furniture, beauty supplies and clothing. Endocrine disruptors found in plastic and other plasticizers. Stress, is the silent killer.
For someone wanting to reduce their inflammation, where should they start?
Ordering an allergy test and/or doing an elimination diet so they can understand what works and doesn’t work for their body. Everyone is different, NO ONE is the same that’s why each person should have a separate protocol. Keep a food journal and notice what makes you feel crappy vs. good.
Something I like to ask everyone I interview – what is the one best piece of nutritional advice you can give?
My favorite piece of nutritional advice is to stop guessing. Once you know your levels and what is going on inside your body, you can paint a clear picture of your health and get the help you need. I waited 6 years before doing this and wish someone would have told me.
If you loved this interview with Ashlee, head over to her website to read her interesting blog posts and explore the services she provides!