MY Autoimmune (Psoriasis) Timeline

My Psoriasis at this point hadn't spread. I really wanted to try and clear my patches of Psoriasis with shifting my diet, so I dove deep and hard. I was already not eating meat, but I went vegan for some time and attempted eating mostly raw. I noticed some changes in the size of Psoriasis patches, but they never fully went away.  I noticed how gluten would flare it up but this is when I realized I really needed a doctors help.  What I was doing wasn't working or sustainable for me and my body.

What helped me take the next step to working with a Naturopathic Doctor was knowing she had healed a friends ulcerative colitis through diet shifts and supplements. I felt very hopeful hearing about his results. I made an appointment quickly after hearing his success story. I viewed the out of pocket expense as an investment in my health and future health. 

The Naturopathic Doctor's integrative approach was through blood testing for food sensitives and a stool sample to learn about my gut.  This was just the ticket! I was blown away with the information shared after receiving the results from the lab.  I never knew your stool could be such a valuable source of information. I KNOW, I went there...but poop provides valuable information about what's going on INSIDE of your body. 

Now, it wasn't a quick fix. At first the information was VERY overwhelming because I had major dietary shifts to implement: NO gluten, wheat, dairy, eggs, yeast, and peas. Through working with my doctor, it was discovered that food was and is my trigger for Psoriasis flares, so implementing food shifts and changes were a non-negotiable.  

After cutting all foods I had sensitivities to, most physical symptoms I was experiencing (for so many years) went away. No more nausea, fatigue, low energy, brain fog, bowel issues, hypoglycemia, headaches, and anxiety with the hypoglycemia. 

She treated my Leaky Gut and Dysbiosis with various rounds of supplements. During my healing journey I learned the POWER OF FOOD. What foods serve me. What foods to avoid. How sensitive my autoimmune condition really is and what I choose to put on my plate either promotes healing or fuels inflammation.

I continue to stick to my diet restrictions. No gluten, wheat, dairy, eggs, yeast, and peas. If I have moments where I consume them, I pay for it...this is a rare occurrence. 

I continue to choose clean sources of protein, now that I consume beef, chicken, and fish. I try to eat organic vegetables and fruit as much as possible. Sugar is my food enemy, so carbs and sweets have slowly been removed from my pantry and fridge. Now, don't get me wrong...I'll consume sugar, carbs, and fast food occasionally, but not daily. I do my best each day!

I LISTEN daily to my body when she SPEAKS. I provide my body with the fuel that works for my body.  I have very minimal flares.  When I do, I know why. I feel empowered and more connected to my body each day. I am grateful!

• Major Dietary Shifts.
• Removed Food Sensitives - Eggs, Yeast, Diary, Gluten, Wheat, and Peas.
• Healed Sugar Addiction - I used to eat a candy bar after each meal.
• Replaced Endocrine Disruptors (chemicals that interfere with hormones) - Personal Care, Cleaning Products, & Home Environment.
• Cycle Synching - Movement, Energy, Social Life, Emotions, & Food that support a woman during her 28-30(varies for each woman) hormone cycle.
• Food Relationship & Awareness - Emotional Eating & Cravings.
• Energy Levels & Food Connection - Identified foods that TAKE my energy away vs providing me energy.
• Eating Vegetarian to Vegan to Meat - This is a shift I struggled with, but this diet works for me, my autoimmune condition, and body. By NO means am I encouraging this diet. Your diet is your choice.
• Meat Sources - Quality Life, Local, Hormone Free, & Humane Death.
• Minimized Processed Foods - Whole Foods Focused.
• Healthy Cooking Oils & Healthier Canned Goods.
• I am currently adding more teas and spices into my diet.  An easy ways to add more plants and variety for my gut health. 

After healing my physical body, it allowed for deeper healing.  I wasn't distracted with my physical ailments I was experiencing daily. I was able to DIVE DEEP in ways I didn't know existed.