Can certain foods help in managing autoimmune disorders?

In a report published in the US National Centre for Biotechnology Information, Garcinia, indica also known as kokum which has been traditionally used as a medicine for relieving inflammation and rheumatic pain was found to have anti-inflammatory effect due to the presence of a chain of complex genetic expressions that have potential in inhibiting the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis which is a chronic inflammatory disease caused due to autoimmune disorder in the body.More research is required on the anti-inflammatory properties of kokum and its impact on autoimmune diseases, which are caused when the body's immune cells start attacking healthy cells, confusing them with harmful pathogens. Doctors are yet to find the exact trigger of autoimmune disease in individuals, but the research has established that some people are more prone to it than others.
There are several types of autoimmune disease like- Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Sjogren’s syndrome, Celiac Disease, Addison’s disease, Grave’s Disease etc. While there is no definite treatment for most of them in medical science, they can be managed with medicines.
As per a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, scientists have found that dietary interventions can slow the onset of inflammatory autoimmune disorders. Nutrition plays a significant role in relieving the symptoms and a proper diet and exercise have shown effective results against it.

According to nutrition expert and well known author, Pooja Makhija, “An autoimmune disease occurs when a
person’s body cells start attacking each other. Any autoimmune diseases can be managed if the diet given to the gut is right because 70 per cent of the immune cells are housed in the gut lining. If the gut is inflamed or irritated or agitated, naturally it will not produce sufficient immune cells and therefore the immunity becomes even worse. Common triggers for increasing autoimmune symptoms are things that increase inflammation in the body, like lactose and gluten as they both cause a leaky gut. Leaky gut is a condition when perforation happens in the intestines and food starts leaking from the gut. Since the immune cells do not understand this, they start attacking the food and body’s own cells. Be it any kind of autoimmune disease, gluten and lactose should be avoided.”
Senior Ayurvedic Consultant Dr Vishakha Mahindroo Bahri, who has been treating autoimmune disorder in patients for the past 15 years believes, that while certain foods can help mitigate the symptoms of the disease, others can aggravate it. “Consumption of turmeric on a regular basis helps reduce a lot of symptoms of autoimmune disorder. Turmeric as known as haldi should be taken in dry crude form and can be crushed to powder and consumed with water and milk. Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. It helps the body fight foreign invaders and also has a role in repairing damage. Circumin helps fight many autoimmune diseases. It not just neutralizes free radicals on its own but also stimulates the body's own antioxidant enzymes. Curcumin leads to various changes at the molecular level that may help prevent and even heal a cancer.”

Dr Vishakha suggests adding the following foods in the daily diet might help in mitigating the symptoms:
1. Spices – Rock salt, turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger(dry), khand (shakkar)
2. Milk – Cow milk
3. Vegetables – Sweet gourd (parval), bottle gourd (ghia), ridge gourd (tori), pumpkin, Indian squash (tinda), bitter gourd (karela), onion, garlic (limited quantity) broccoli, and zucchini
4. Pulses - Green moong dal and masoor dal
5. Grains – Barley, wheat, quinoa, oats, rice (preferable-Shastik Shali that is harvested in 60 days.)
6. Oil- Best is cow ghee, sesame or til oil
7. Liquids – Water should be boiled and consumed at room temperature, buttermilk at room temperature, fresh coconut water
8. Organic honey
9. Meat – Fish, lamb, chicken
10. Fruit – Pomegranate, apples (steamed), prunes, papaya, muskmelon, wood apple.
11. Nuts – Almonds, raisins, dates, apricots (best when soaked)

According to Ayurveda, the foods that must not be consumed or strictly limited include: Sour Fruits like pineapple, raw salads, soya , leafy vegetables, curd, shakes or smoothies, mango powder (amchur), vinegar, soya sauce, chilli sauce, ajinomoto and consuming together incompatible foods like milk with salt, milk with egg etc. Needless to say, alcohol and tobacco should be completely avoided.
Apart from the food dos and don’ts, Dr Vishakha suggests that one should include the following yogic exercises in the daily routine- Pranayam, Yoga, Meditation, Self Abhyanga at least three times a week with sesame oil and Nasya – Sesame oil to be put in nose 1-2 drops in each nostril every day. Irregular sleeping hours, late dinners and rigorous exercise should be completely avoided.