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The Humira Alternative For Inflammation

author avatar Dr. Eric Berg 11/30/2024

Dealing with inflammation can be incredibly frustrating, especially when medications like Humira are often touted as the solution.

However, as someone who has spent years helping people understand their bodies better, I understand the desire to seek natural remedies and treatment options for chronic pain and autoimmune diseases.

In this spirit, exploring Humira alternatives natural might make sense for individuals seeking a holistic path.

Humira, while effective for some, is a powerful human monoclonal antibody drug with potential side effects. Additionally, the financial burden of this medication can be significant, making natural alternatives an appealing treatment option.

Understanding Humira and Why Alternatives Are Considered

Humira (adalimumab) belongs to a class of biologic medications called TNF inhibitors. It works by targeting tumor necrosis factor, a specific protein in your immune system involved in the inflammatory response of autoimmune conditions.

This action can effectively reduce inflammation associated with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriatic arthritis.

Yet, Humira’s potency also means it carries the potential for side effects. These side effects could include infections, injection site reactions, and even a slightly increased risk of certain cancers.

On top of these potential health concerns, the cost of Humira is a barrier for many.

So, it's only natural that individuals with conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis look into alternative drugs and approaches to managing inflammation and their conditions.

Fasting clock and dinner plate

Addressing the Root Cause: Why Diet Is Paramount for Those Seeking Humira Alternatives Natural

For three decades, I've seen firsthand how a poor diet can drive chronic inflammation. Many people with inflammatory conditions are surprised to learn just how impactful their food choices are on their body’s response to inflammation.

Constantly consuming sugars, refined carbohydrates, and vegetable oils (like soybean and corn oil) fuels the fire of inflammation in the body. These foods disrupt your metabolism and lead to insulin resistance, which can be a factor in suppurativa psoriatic arthritis.

When you're insulin resistant, your cells become less responsive to insulin. Insulin, ironically, is actually anti-inflammatory, but when you need excessive amounts to manage your blood sugar due to insulin resistance, it backfires, and insulin ends up increasing inflammation in the body.

High levels of inflammation can sometimes lead doctors to consider alternative drugs, such as Humira, but addressing diet should be an important first step.

Humira Alternatives Natural: The Power of a Low-Carb, Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle

So, if we want to truly address inflammation and explore effective Humira alternatives natural, we must start with what we put into our bodies.

Two powerful dietary interventions stand out: low-carb eating, specifically a well-formulated ketogenic diet, paired with the practice of intermittent fasting. These complementary therapies can work together to help you manage your symptoms.

1. Healthy Keto for Reduced Inflammation

A properly structured ketogenic diet emphasizes healthy fats while drastically reducing your intake of carbohydrates and sugars. When you significantly lower carbs, your body enters a metabolic state called ketosis.

In ketosis, your body starts burning fat for fuel instead of glucose (sugar). Those with conditions such as arthritis ulcerative colitis and Crohnâs disease may find that dietary interventions help.

This shift away from glucose as a primary fuel source can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the insulin resistance that contributes to inflammation. This metabolic change, in turn, helps create an environment less conducive to inflammation.

2. Intermittent Fasting: Turning Up the Anti-Inflammatory Dial

Intermittent fasting goes hand in hand with a ketogenic diet, and it takes the inflammation-fighting benefits up a notch. By cycling between periods of eating and fasting, you give your body a chance to reset and repair itself.

Fasting lowers insulin levels even further, putting a brake on the inflammatory processes. Moreover, intermittent fasting promotes autophagy, a cellular cleaning process where your body removes damaged cells and components.

This “cleanup crew” effect further contributes to lowering inflammation. For some, these lifestyle changes can be as effective as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in improving their quality of life.

The Importance of Working with Your Healthcare Team

It’s important to remember that this information isn’t a prescription for ditching your Humira. It's essential to consult your doctor before making significant changes to your medication or dietary habits. This is especially important if you have juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Working together, you can carefully explore how these dietary strategies may or may not be right for your individual situation and whether you can, in the future, potentially explore lowering your Humira dosage.

Be sure to discuss any natural remedies you're considering with your healthcare provider.

Turmeric powder and root

Natural Alternatives to Humira

Explores non-pharmaceutical options for managing autoimmune conditions.

While Humira is commonly prescribed for inflammation, natural alternatives like omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric, and adaptogenic herbs can provide significant relief by reducing inflammation and supporting immune balance.

Addressing underlying nutritional deficiencies is also crucial. Vitamin F deficiency symptoms, such as dry skin, inflammation, and joint pain, can worsen autoimmune conditions.

Ensuring a diet rich in essential fatty acids not only combats these symptoms but also enhances overall immune function, offering a more balanced and holistic approach to managing autoimmune disorders.

Conclusion

Finding Humira alternatives natural involves understanding how deeply inflammation and diet are intertwined.

Addressing chronic inflammation is not just about medication; it demands a lifestyle shift towards foods and practices that support your body's natural healing mechanisms.

The combination of a well-formulated ketogenic diet with intermittent fasting is a powerful tool for lowering inflammation.

These changes, along with other lifestyle adjustments, may provide relief for various conditions, including spondylitis Crohnâs disease hidradenitis suppurativa psoriatic arthritis, and could even be considered a form of complementary therapies by some.

Remember to always consult with your healthcare team before making any major changes to your treatment plan.



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