The link between autoimmune disease and heart disease
As many as one in five Americans suffer from autoimmune disorders. They’re now the third most common disease category after cancer and heart disease, and incident rates are climbing higher every year.
Perhaps the most concerning factor is their link to heart disease. Studies show those with autoimmune disorders are between 1.4 and 3.6 times more likely to develop cardiovascular illnesses.
These statistics clearly point back to metabolic health.
Which means if we can address the root cause of America’s metabolic crisis, we can prevent heart disease, restore metabolic health, and even reverse certain autoimmune conditions.
Let’s start with the science
There is a strong correlation between nutrition, heart disease, and immunity, so it’s no surprise that changing one will significantly change the others.
For example, a study exploring the impact of nutrition on arthritis found that ultra-processed food — specifically sodas and artificially-sweetened drinks — led to a 50% increase in autoimmune diagnoses. This shows a clear connection between nutrition and immunity.
We also know that ultra-processed foods lead to worsening metabolic health. This eventually leads to cardiovascular illnesses, which draws a clear line between heart disease and nutrition.
The most complex pieces of this puzzle are immunity and heart disease. We have much to learn about how these systems communicate, but we do know that:
- A strong immune response requires strong cellular health. If mitochondria don’t get enough chemical energy (or ATP), it becomes increasingly difficult to fight off foreign threats or keep your cardiac metabolism running smoothly.
- Food impacts your immune system in one of two ways: by directly interacting with immune cells, or by indirectly interacting with gut microbiota. Both of these send signals to your brain that normalize cardiometabolic processes, which in turn, normalize your immune system functions.
- The heart is continuously transmitting information to the immune system (and vice versa). This means if one has been disrupted, the other will be too.
Now, let’s look at this research in a practical context.
Eating too much processed food, especially seed oil and sugar, can deposit atherosclerotic plaque around your heart that leads to vascular inflammation. To respond to this threat, your immune system kickstarts inflammatory responses. But because it’s not receiving adequate ATP, it lacks the energy to resolve the issue quickly. This may lead to days or weeks of chronic inflammation, which weakens the immune system and generates harmful antibodies.
To summarize this on a very high level: the health of your immune system and the health of your heart are deeply interconnected. Compromising one will eventually compromise the other — which is why if you have an autoimmune disorder, you’re more likely to deal with the effects of heart disease.
Why are autoimmune diseases on the rise?
There are a thousand and one theories for why autoimmune disorders are on the rise.
But if you look closer at the research, you’ll spot some disturbing correlations:
- The more developed the country, the higher its risk for autoimmune disease. In 2019, for example, the US incident rate for autoimmune disorders was more than twice that of countries like Brazil.
- The availability of ultra-processed food strongly correlates to autoimmune conditions. Roughly 73% of the US grocery store consists of UPFs, compared to just 17% of food in European countries. Interestingly, just 10.2% of the UK has a diagnosed autoimmune condition, which is nearly half that of the US.
- Environmental hazards can keep your body in a constant state of inflammation. For example, we know that Americans sleep less and sit more than many other countries. We’re also exposed to nearly 86,000 consumer chemicals that have yet to receive rigorous testing.
When we follow the breadcrumbs — in some ways quite literally — it’s easy to see how we got to this point.
And if you’re one of the people who’s struggling with a diagnosis, I want you to know that it’s not too late.
Resolving autoimmune disorders and heart disease
The incidence rate of antinuclear antibodies has increased 50% in under 30 years. It’s clear our collective health is on a dangerous path, and the longer we wait, the harder it will be to course correct.
That said, it’s not too late to prevent autoimmune diseases, or reduce your risks for heart disease. You can make your way towards resolving disease pathways with simple health practices you can start applying today.
You must be willing to:
Change your diet
As much as 80% of your immune system is located in the gut. By taking a low carb approach to eating whole, real foods, you may decrease or even reverse the markers of autoimmune disorders.
I’ll let the research speak for itself:
- Ketogenic diets are proven to dramatically reduce the area and severity of psoriasis.
- 10 patients with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and IBD showed significant improvement on a keto-carnivore diet — and dropped all medications for IBD.
- Ketogenic diets protect both cartilage and bone, which may reduce the severity and progression of osteoarthritis.
If you’re not currently eating whole, real foods, it’s time to make the switch. Just focus on animal protein (including milk and eggs) and avoid processed additives like food dyes, gums, and preservatives.
Remember: a diet heavy in processed foods may encourage systemic inflammation, which is your immune system’s response to bodily damage. That’s why sugary sweets and ‘enriched’ white bread can instigate autoimmune disorders such as arthritis and SLE.
Change your epigenetics
Your epigenetics — or your habits, behaviors, and environment — have an incredible impact on your immune system.
That’s why making minor alterations to your habits and lifestyle choices can improve, reverse, or even prevent their onset completely.
For example:
- You may want to reconsider prescription drugs. Many of them are not necessary for managing chronic disease, and many others (including antidepressants) can alter immune system functions.
- Kick bad habits like smoking and drinking alcohol. These don’t just suppress your immune system, but can have serious impacts on your heart health as well.
- Avoid as many pollutants as possible in your environment, including endocrine-disrupting beauty products and foods with heavy glyphosate applications.
Change your habits
If you’re looking to increase your cardio immunity, you need to establish a well-rounded wellness plan.
This means you should strive to:
- Sleep more: Studies show that adequate sleep reduces your risks for inappropriate immune system responses.
- Stress less: Excess cortisol, otherwise known as the stress hormone, may suppress proper immune system function.
- Exercise regularly: Routine resistance training builds metabolically active tissue, which strengthens the heart and bones while reducing low-grade inflammation.
Taking a stand for you and your health
Reversing autoimmune disease is easier said than done. The steps required may be simple on the surface, but as you and I know, they won’t necessarily be easy.
If you’re currently climbing a ‘mountain’ in your health journey, or if you’re looking for a community to cheer you on, you’re welcome to explore my Heart Health Hub community, which is tailored to assist individuals at points in their metabolic health journey. Whether you are dealing with heart issues or simply want to learn more about creating longevity in your metabolic health, our community offers a perspective that diverges from the information on the internet. November will be Autoimmune Month in the community. I hope you’ll join us.
