There is much finger-pointing going on as scientists, medical professionals and concerned individuals are trying to make sense of the significant onslaught of autoimmune disorders. According to Virginia T. Ladd, President/Executive Director of the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), autoimmune diseases affect more than 23.5 million Americans, with 75 percent of those being women. Autoimmune diseases are listed as one of the Top 10 leading causes of death among women age 65 and younger. As a result, in March 2009 a recommendation was made to the Office of Research on Women's Health/National Institutes of Health to put autoimmune diseases on the top of the research priority list.

As we are trying to establish causative factors, many theories are emerging, pointing the finger at some potential culprits. Under current review are the following:

• Hormonal aberrations, with particular emphasis on prenenelone, DHEA, cortisol, estrogen and other sex hormones.

• Dietary concerns, such as gluten, soy, genetically modified foods (GMOs), the excess of processed foods, and just in general, the typical American diet.

• Dietary deficiencies, especially mineral deficiencies, such as inadequate iodine to the thyroid contributing to auto-immune thyroid disorders. But also includes a lack of essential fatty acids, a critical component in immune function.

• Environmental and other toxic products such as chlorine, sodium fluoride, aluminum and other heavy metals, toxic substances found in plastics, rubber products, resins, pesticides, herbicides, cleaning solutions, pharmaceuticals, coloring agents, preserving agents, etc.

• Medications have also had the finger pointed at them as many are immune suppressants, contain toxic materials, compromise the function of other supportive systems and mask, rather than address, critical health issues. Especially being eyed are estrogen-containing medications and other hormone replacement medications.

• Addiction to any substance, especially drugs and alcohol, but even cigarette smoking is being held under the magnifying glass for possible contribution to immune disruption.

It's important to note here that it is the accumulation of one or more of the above insults that probably results in a breakdown of healthy immune response. It is unlikely, although possible, that only one thing is causing these problems in an individual.

The key to improving immune function should be simple. First, you must eliminate as much as possible the above factors that could be contributing, and then take action to support immune function. Many times it is necessary to detoxify the body of harmful chemicals that an overloaded body many not be able to deal with on its own.

The use of healing modalities such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, proper nutrition and other modalities can prove to be quite effective. Most of these treatments are helpful because they address not only immune function, but the rest of the body's ability to deal with the stresses of sub-function overall.

It is time to start addressing the underlying cause of auto-immune diseases, not by drugging them, but by getting into action to reverse them, instead of simply finger-pointing!

Learn more, attend our upcoming health class, Battling Auto-Immune Disease Naturally, from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, June 20 in Coeur d'Alene. Fee: $10. RSVP: (208) 765-1994.

Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with more than 32 years of experience. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit Carling's website at www.vitalhealthandfitness.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.