Addressing Drivers of Autoimmunity

Autoimmune conditions can be complicated and difficult to manage

An evidence-based approach

Autoimmunity occurs due to a failure to correctly address an underlying immune trigger. This results in an abnormal immune response

Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, leading to inflammation and damage. Common autoimmune conditions include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Multiple Sclerosis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Grave’s Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative colitis, Psoriasis, and Coeliac disease, among others.

Conventional medicine usually addresses autoimmunity by using potent medications to decrease immune system activity, but this approach rarely aims to find the trigger of the immune imbalance. If the underlying trigger is not addressed, increasing dosages of medications with potential serious side-effects are usually required. At Wellness Vision, we understand the intricacies involved in autoimmune disorders and aim to provide a holistic, evidence-based approach to support your journey towards optimal health.

Understanding the Root Causes

Autoimmunity occurs due to a multifaceted interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Understanding and addressing these drivers is crucial for managing and potentially reversing autoimmune conditions.

Key factors include:

While genetics play a significant role in autoimmunity, they are not the sole determinant. A family history of autoimmune disorders can increase your risk, but environmental and lifestyle factors also play a crucial role in triggering the condition.
Poor nutrition can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients that can lead to immune dysregulation and autoimmunity. Deficiencies in vitamins D, A, and E, as well as zinc and selenium, are particularly common in those with autoimmune conditions.
The gut is central to immune function. An imbalance in gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, can contribute to increased intestinal permeability (or leaky gut), which is a known trigger for autoimmune conditions.
Exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides, heavy metals, and pollutants can disrupt immune function and hormonal balance, contribution to the development of autoimmunity.
A syndrome driven by insulin resistance or excessive blood sugar fluctuations driving imbalanced testosterone and oestrogen. This can cause irregular cycles, hair growth, acne and weight gain.
Hormonal fluctuations can impact immune function. Women, for instance, are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases due to hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
Chronic stress and unresolved emotional trauma can lead to immune dysregulation. Stress management and emotional well-being are crucial components of an effective autoimmune management plan.
Wellness Vision - Autoimmunity and Allergy Testing - Newcastle Naturopath

How we can help

Our Functional Medicine Approach

At Wellness Vision, we are dedicated to helping you manage and potentially silence autoimmune conditions through a holistic, functional medicine approach. We take a comprehensive, individualised approach to managing autoimmunity. Our functional medicine framework includes:

We conduct thorough evaluations, including detailed medical history, lifestyle assessment, and advanced laboratory testing to identify the root causes of your autoimmune condition.
Nutrition is a cornerstone of our approach. We help you to dial in your nutrition and eating habits to address specific nutrient deficiencies, support gut health, improve cellular energy and reduce inflammation.
We don’t rely on lifetime adherence to restrictive diets such as the autoimmune protocol diet plan. Instead, we discuss accurate testing for food intolerances, so that we can identify your individual food sensitivities, food intolerances or food allergies.
We focus on healing the gut through dietary interventions, probiotics, prebiotics and targeted supplements to restore gut integrity and balance microbiota.
We assess markers of optimal detoxification and provide individual detoxification protocols to help minimise and eliminate environmental toxins, as well as remove excess hormones support the intricate balance between our detoxification organs and the environment.
Identifying and treating chronic infections is critical. We use targeted therapies to address underlying infections that may be driving your autoimmune condition.
We assess and support hormonal balance through lifestyle interventions, stress management, nutritional and herbal formulations. We also support hormone detoxification for premenopausal women, as well as for perimenopausal and menopausal women taking bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.
We evaluate your stress resilience and educate you on how to integrate different stress management strategies into your life to support emotional wellbeing and manage daily stress.
We utilise general and functional testing to gain insights into your immune function, gut health, nutrient status, and hormonal balance, allowing for precise and targeted interventions.

A Holistic Approach

Our experienced practitioners are committed to staying abreast of the latest research in autoimmune care and providing compassionate, individualised support. Together, we can create a personalised plan to help you achieve balance and well-being.

For more information or find out how you can work with us, please contact us today. Together, we can work towards managing autoimmunity and enhancing your health and quality of life.

Book a free discovery call

Trusted by our Clients

A very knowledgeable, passionate and professional team. I highly recommend their regular wellness programs and their holistic approach to evaluating and correcting underlying health issues through natural processes to help you function at your optimum level and alleviate chronic pain and illness. Jasmine is an absolute expert in the field of functional medicine and a perfect guide on your quest for better health with her kind, person centred approach
4 months ago Josh Polley
Jasmin has helped me immensely over the last 3 months. After years of the medical profession only providing quick fixes for my symptoms I was at my wits end. I finally found Jasmin who with her expertise in functional medicine has been able to more accurately pinpoint my problems. I feel that with her knowledge and guidance in wholistic health I am finally getting my health back on track. Thank you Jasmin for your support.
a year ago Caroline Foster
Wellness Vision really is the whole package. It is obvious how passionate Jasmin is about health and wellness. She is a wealth of knowledge, very thorough and compassionate. For me, what makes her stand out is her personal touch and how she worked with me. Jasmin really listened and took a great deal of care with her approach to my health and overall wellness. She explained the 'why' and 'how' which I always felt supported and completely trusted her practice. I would highly recommend Jasmin!
10 years ago Jess Morgan
I can't speak highly enough of Jasmin and her expertise and professionalism in all aspects of my health needs and my children's health needs. I highly recommend Jasmin, if you are struggling with living your best healthy life, weight management, covid symptoms, hormone imbalance the list is endless. Make an appointment, don't put it off - put yourself first. Just awesome. Thanks Jasmin for all your wealth of knowledge and advice.
2 years ago Pamela
Jasmin is a wonderful wholistic practitioner. She listens and problem solves with the client. Her treatments are evidence based and really empowering- including education on lifestyle factors, dietary modifications (including what to ADD not just what to cut out) and high quality supplements. I managed to avoid medications with horrible side effects because of our work together and have never felt better.
2 years ago Danielle Davey

Autoimmunity and Food Sensitivity FAQs

A naturopath can support people with autoimmune conditions by addressing factors that influence immune function, including gut health, nutrient status, stress and inflammation. We work alongside your GP, rheumatologist or specialist. Naturopathic care is complementary and does not replace medical management of autoimmune disease.

An allergy is an immediate, IgE mediated immune response that can be serious and is diagnosed through medical allergy testing. A food sensitivity or intolerance is a different, usually delayed reaction that can contribute to symptoms like bloating, fatigue and inflammation. At Wellness Vision we assess food sensitivities and intolerances, and we refer to a medical practitioner for suspected true allergies.

We commonly offer KMBO FIT food sensitivity testing, which assesses IgG and immune complex reactions alongside zonulin as a marker of intestinal permeability, and ImuPro testing. These help identify foods that may be contributing to inflammation or symptoms. Results are always interpreted within your full clinical picture rather than treated as a standalone verdict.

Yes, and we prefer to. If you're under the care of a rheumatologist, immunologist or other specialist, we work to complement that care, not compete with it. We don't advise stopping prescribed treatment. Collaborative care generally produces better outcomes for complex autoimmune presentations.

Still have questions? Book a free discovery call HERE