Autoimmune Flare Management Protocol

Autoimmune flares are acute exacerbations of chronic autoimmune disease - increased inflammation, pain, fatigue, organ-specific symptoms. Flares triggered by: Stress (#1), infections, food triggers, overexertion, sleep deprivation, hormone changes. Rapid intervention can shorten flare duration and severity. Diet: Eliminate all potential triggers temporarily (strict AIP or carnivore) - removes inflammatory foods. Fasting: Emerging data that short fasts (24-48 hours) or FMD rapidly reduce autoimmune inflammation - "resets" immune system. High-dose omega-3: Loading dose shifts away from inflammatory eicosanoids (from arachidonic acid) toward anti-inflammatory (from EPA/DHA). Curcumin: Powerful anti-inflammatory, inhibits NF-kB (master inflammatory pathway) - comparable to NSAIDs in some studies for arthritis, no side effects. Boswellia: 5-LOX inhibitor (reduces leukotrienes), traditionally used for arthritis. SPMs: New category of supplements - specialized pro-resolving mediators that actively resolve inflammation (not just anti-inflammatory but pro-resolution). Gut healing: Leaky gut perpetuates autoimmune inflammation - L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, DGL, aloe. LDN: Not for acute flare but long-term flare prevention (immune modulation). Prednisone: Sometimes necessary for severe flares - short course preferable to sustained inflammation. Sleep and stress: Cortisol dysregulation drives flares - rest is medicine. Many autoimmune patients push through flares worsening damage - rest and aggressive intervention better approach. Work with rheumatologist for severe flares (bridge with prednisone if needed) while implementing natural anti-inflammatory protocol. Flares are opportunities to identify and eliminate triggers long-term.