Autoimmune Conditions

When a person experiences stress as a child, psychological experiences like abuse and neglect are programmed into the immune system. The macrophages (a type of white blood cell) develop a pro-inflammatory tendency (e.g. they display an exaggerated inflammatory response within the body). These adverse childhood experiences can  also change the expression of our genes.

Constant stress has been shown to increase the permeability of the intestines which makes it easier for nutrients and other particles to pass through. This can reduce the effectiveness of the mucosal lining as a barrier to various harmful substances and as a result the gut becomes leaky.

According to a study childhood maltreatment is also associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (a biomarker of inflammation) in adults 20 years later which indicates childhood maltreatment independently can lead to inflammation later in life of that child. Some adverse childhood events can include:

• Parent’s divorce or separation
• Substance abuse in the home
• Death of a close family member
• Verbal abuse
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Trauma

“Studies have shown that when these events occur, they can change the physiology of the body in ways that are only really seen decades later,” Dr. Bilstrom says. “The biggest one of all is a childhood with sexual abuse. People who are victims of childhood sexual abuse have more than a 50 percent greater chance of developing an autoimmune disease as an adult.”