Impact Of Dietary Measures In Autoimmune Diseases

Abstract

The immune system of an individual upon activation by antigens produces response to pathogenic microorganisms their products and to body self-antigens. The latter being known as “Autoimmune Response.” Lymphocytes as T cells and B cells as well as macrophages take part in this response. The T- cells are responsible for releasing lymphokines, B - cells for producing antibodies or immunoglobulins while macrophages bring about the processing of antigens to immunogenic units of the body. Thus autoimmune diseases are characterized by response of immune system to one`s own tissues and organs and is hence abnormal. At present about eighty different types of autoimmune diseases are described1. They include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, type-1 diabetes, celiac disease, Graves' disease, Sjogren syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis etc