Overview of Autoimmune Diseases and the Role of Diet

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases, posing significant public health challenges globally, involve immune system dysfunction targeting the body's own tissues. This chapter offers a detailed exploration, categorizing them into organ-specific and systemic disorders and analysing mechanisms driving their development. Factors like genetic predisposition, gender, environmental triggers, and geographical influences are investigated for their roles in disease onset and progression. Additionally, the chapter delves into the emerging understanding of diet's impact on autoimmune diseases, from industrial additives affecting gut permeability to dietary patterns altering gut microbiota composition. Moreover, the therapeutic potential of dietary interventions like the Mediterranean diet and gluten-free diets in managing autoimmune diseases is examined. By addressing types of autoimmune diseases, their influencing factors, and the evolving role of diet, this chapter aims to offer valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers striving to enhance prevention, diagnosis, and management strategies.