How to Achieve Remission from Autoimmune Disease Naturally

If you’re a woman living with an autoimmune condition, you may feel frustrated by the limitations of conventional medicine. Often, it takes years or decades to get a diagnosis–delayed diagnoses for women are unfortunately common. Then, once diagnosed, you’re offered medications that may help manage symptoms but often fall short of addressing the root causes or fully restoring your quality of life. The unpredictable flare-ups, chronic fatigue, and persistent aches can feel overwhelming and disheartening.

Functional medicine offers a different path — one that takes a holistic approach to uncovering and addressing the root causes of autoimmune conditions. This approach is not about replacing conventional care but complementing it. By integrating functional and conventional medicine, you can achieve a powerful, well-rounded strategy to manage your condition and move toward remission.

I’ve walked this path myself. In 1999, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Determined to manage it holistically, I turned to functional medicine instead of relying solely on conventional treatments. That decision not only brought my condition into remission but also inspired my journey to help other women navigate their own healing.

Today, as a certified functional medicine practitioner specializing in autoimmunity, I’ve had the privilege of guiding hundreds of women beyond symptom management to achieve lasting relief and take back control of their health. Functional medicine provides an integrative, personalized approach to autoimmunity — and it could help you, too.

What Is Autoimmune Remission?

Autoimmune disease isn’t curable, but remission is achievable. Remission means the autoimmune process has become dormant — indicated by your symptom relief, as well as autoimmune lab results and exams. There’s every reason to work toward remission, not only to improve your well-being but also to reduce your risk of developing extra autoimmune conditions.

Conventional Medicine vs. Functional Medicine

In conventional medicine, treatment for autoimmune diseases often targets the specific body part or system affected. For example, a woman with rheumatoid arthritis may see a rheumatologist to handle joint inflammation, while someone with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis consults an endocrinologist for hormone support.

Functional medicine, on the other hand, approaches autoimmunity as a full-body, interconnected process rather than isolated symptoms. Research reveals that autoimmune diseases share a common root cause: an overactive immune response marked by the excessive production of inflammatory compounds called cytokines. These cytokines are primarily driven by T helper 17 (Th17) cells, which play a significant role in autoimmune responses.

In autoimmune conditions, the immune system shifts into an overproduction of Th17 cells, leading to ongoing inflammation. However, Th17 cells are “plastic,” meaning they can shift in response to environmental and lifestyle factors. Functional medicine leverages this plasticity by addressing the underlying factors that provoke an overactive immune system, aiming to bring Th17 cells and inflammation back into balance.

Through a targeted, four-step approach, functional medicine helps you uncover and manage the root causes of an overactive immune system, guiding you toward lasting relief.

The Autoimmune Triad

Dr. Alessio Fasano, a renowned researcher, identified three factors that contribute to autoimmune diseases:

1. Genetic Susceptibility
2. Increased Intestinal Permeability (often called “leaky gut”)
3. Environmental and Lifestyle Triggers

While we can’t change your genetics, we can work on improving gut health and identifying environmental triggers that worsen your symptoms. Addressing these factors can ease symptoms and, in some cases, even slow or reverse the progression of autoimmune conditions.

Four Steps to Healing Autoimmunity Naturally

A functional medicine approach involves a comprehensive four-step process:

1. Optimize Diet and Lifestyle

An anti-inflammatory diet is foundational to managing autoimmunity. Diet plays a significant role in managing inflammation, but the ideal foods can vary greatly from person to person. There are no universal food rules for autoimmune disease — for example, gluten and dairy are not always problematic for everyone. In my own journey, I discovered that eggs, which I used to eat daily, were a major trigger for me.

In this step, we use personalized blood tests and a tailored elimination diet to identify specific foods that may be causing inflammation in your body. Along with removing problematic foods, we add nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods to support healing. This combination forms a sustainable, anti-inflammatory diet tailored to your needs.

Often, we use a Paleo, Whole30, or Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) approach to an elimination diet. There are solid reasons why these approaches work for autoimmunity, as I describe in my article Paleo Diet for Autoimmunity: Can Food Really Heal Your Autoimmunity? As a certified AIP coach, I’m well-versed in the nuance of these approaches. I customize these templates according to individual needs.

In addition to diet, we guide you in creating a lifestyle that supports immune health — addressing stress, sleep, movement, and social connections. These elements are essential pillars of a healthy immune system.

2. Heal the Gut

Gut health is central to managing autoimmunity, regardless of whether you have obvious digestive issues. Most immune cells reside in the gut, making it a key focus for improving immune function. We start with the gut. Learn more in my article Understanding Inflammation: The Role of Gut Health.

A critical aspect of gut health is the integrity of the intestinal lining. Many autoimmune conditions are linked to a “leaky gut,” where an impaired gut lining allows particles like undigested food proteins and toxins to enter the bloodstream, triggering immune responses. In this step, we assess and heal any leaky gut issues.

Equally important is supporting a balanced gut microbiome. Autoimmunity often correlates with an imbalance in gut bacteria — including low levels of beneficial bacteria or an overgrowth of problematic microbes. When I first fell ill, I discovered I had an amoeba called Blastocystis hominis that was exacerbating my symptoms. Once treated, my symptoms improved significantly.

We use a functional stool test, the GI-MAP, to assess your gut health and develop a customized treatment plan. Regular GI testing can also help maintain a healthy microbiome.

3. Identify and Eliminate Inflammation Triggers

Chronic inflammation is a common driver of autoimmune disease, and reducing hidden sources of inflammation is essential for remission. We work with you to investigate inflammation sources, which may include:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Blood sugar and insulin dysregulation
• Allergies, asthma, or excessive histamine reactions
• Chronic infections, such as Epstein-Barr Virus or UTIs
• Conditions like osteoarthritis or osteoporosis

We personalize this approach to uncover and address any factors contributing to your inflammatory load.

4. Regulate Immune Function with Supplements

Supplements support immune regulation but should complement, not replace, foundational work on diet, gut health, and lifestyle. Once other areas are optimized, targeted supplements can help modulate immune responses. Our focus is to use supplements, herbs and nutrients to regulate T-cell function to reduce Th17 activity.

These supplements are carefully chosen to meet your specific needs, supporting long-term inflammation management and flare prevention.

Your Path to Remission

Autoimmune conditions require a comprehensive, personalized approach. This is why I created my Road to Remission program, designed to guide you through each of these steps. We combine functional medicine with supportive care to help you achieve lasting relief.

With the right plan and expert guidance, remission is possible. Take control of your health, reduce your symptoms, and rediscover a vibrant, empowered life. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Start your path to remission today!