Your Autoimmune Disease Doctor in Singapore
If you are suffering from an autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), Type 1 diabetes, or something else, contact Dr. Radhika Kamat. She is an experienced Naturopathic Doctor with significant experience treating autoimmune diseases in men and women, and she helps patients slow disease progression and improve symptoms through holistic means. Get in touch for a consultation at your earliest convenience, and let Dr. Kamat help you embark on a path to wellness.
About Auto-Immune Specialist Dr. Radhika Kamat
Her Background
Dr. Kamat, an expert in functional medicine in Singapore, has extensive experience in conventional, naturopathic, and homeopathic treatments. Her doctorate came from Bastyr University, and she is also licensed to practice in California in addition to SIngapore. She helps children and adults with a wide variety of autoimmune conditions. Her goal is to use natural medicine in a caring way to help patients recover and live life to the fullest. If you have any questions about her clinic or certifications, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
The Benefits of a Naturopathic Approach to Autoimmune Disease
While Dr. Kamat is highly knowledgeable of pharmaceutical solutions to autoimmune disease (and often works with patients who are taking prescription drugs), she is also aware of the risks involved. Drugs may have severe side effects, create dependence, and prevent your body from healing itself at the “root cause” level. Drugs very often mask symptoms without fixing the problem.
Dr. Kamat will work with you to identify the true reason you are suffering from an autoimmune disease. Very often, these issues start at the digestive and microbiome levels, and yes, you can do something about it.
How Patients Can Improve Auto-Immune Disease Symptoms Naturally
While you will need support from a certified naturopathic doctor in Singapore when treating symptoms of auto-immune disease, here are some helpful insights. This content is not exhaustive by any means – please get in touch so we can start the journey towards healing together.
Increasing T Regulatory Cell Function in the Body
T regulatory cells (often referred to as Tregs) help suppress the immune system. This might sound like a bad thing, but it’s not – if you don’t have enough T regulatory cells, or if they don’t function properly, your immune system will start attacking your own bodily tissues and cells. In fact, several autoimmune conditions, such as Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, have been linked to alterations in Treg function or number. Read this 2008 study for more information.
Omega 3 fatty acids keeps your cell membranes healthy, and since damaged cells are a target for auto-immunity, foods like fatty salmon and sardines can actually help prevent autoimmune disease symptoms. Cod liver oil is another good source of omega 3 acids (it also has vitamin A and D, among other things).
Vitamin A is another important component of T regulatory cells in the body. Pasture-raised egg yolks, butter from grass-fed animals, liver, and other foods have a significant amount of vitamin A that your body can use efficiently. Don’t forget vitamin E, one of the major antioxidants. It also helps your cells stay strong and prevent auto-immune attacks. Like vitamins A and D, it is a fat-soluble nutrient, and that’s why eating vitamin E with fatty foods is so important. Sunflower seeds and butter are good sources of vitamin E.
Lastly, vitamins D directly modulates your immune system and regulates T regulatory cells. It’s in your best interest to get some sunlight everyday.
Improving Leaky Gut Can Help Auto-Immune Function
According to studies like Fasano’s 2012 report, increased gut permeability can influence auto-immune symptoms. When larger-than-normal food or bacterial particles access your bloodstream through the intestinal lining, your body may trigger an immune response towards those particles. In this context, your body may start attacking cell tissue as well. Celiac disease, arthritis, and other issues may be side effects – another indication that finding the root cause of your symptoms is key. Cultivating a healthy gut microbiome by eating probiotics, fiber, a natural diet rich in nutrients, avoiding inflammatories like gluten (for those with genetic predispositions), and avoiding stress may help your condition.
Conditions That Your Singapore Auto-Immune Disease Doctor Can Help With
Auto-Immune Thyroid Conditions
As a hormone specialist in Singapore, Dr. Kamat helps many patients dealing with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. The thyroid produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3); these hormones play a pivotal role in metabolism, growth, development, and the overall energy balance of the body. As such, there is a strong link between thyroid function and auto-immune disorders.
A patient may suffer from weight gain, sexual dysfunction, lethargy, and depression when hypothyroidism (low functioning thyroid) is present. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is the most common expression of hypothyroidism, and it can occur when the body’s immune system starts to attack the actual thyroid gland, limiting the thyroid’s ability to function. Rather than prescribing thyroid medication right away, Dr. Kamat, helps patients figure out why the immune system is attacking the thyroid.
Furthermore, issues like fatty liver could stop your body from converting T4 into T3. In these cases, the thyroid isn’t the problem, but you will have symptoms of hypothyroidism – a knowledgeable doctor like Radhika Kamat can help you solve the underlying problem.
Doctor Helping Patients With Lupus
Lupus (SLE) can manifest itself in joint pain, rashes, lack of energy, or ultimately severe kidney and neurological problems. A naturopathic doctor can help your immune system stop attacking your own bodily tissue through diet changes, omega-3 fatty acids, natural anti-inflammatories like ginger, vitamin supplementation, and helping patients identify triggers.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
When the body’s immune system attacks the lining of membranes surrounding joints, a patient may experience swelling, stiffness, pain, and even joint deformity. This misplaced immune response can even lead to bone and cartilage erosion. A naturopathic doctor will help a patient reduce the inflammation naturally through holistic supplementation and dietary changes, and they will seek the reason that the body’s immune system is attacking the joints in the first place.
Type 1 Diabetes
When the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin for blood sugar regulation, a patient is suffering from diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is usually onset by lifestyle choices, but Type 1 diabetes is a chronic auto-immune disease: the patient’s immune system starts attacking insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. A functional medicine doctor can coordinate with a patient’s primary care provider to improve symptoms via dietary and lifestyle changes.
Other Health Concerns
Dr. Kamat helps patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Celiac disease, IBS, and numerous other auto-immune conditions. Through lab analysis (stool, saliva, blood work etc.), elimination diets, supplementation (like selenium, for instance), diet consultations, and other methods, she helps patients achieve holistic wellness and find relief from symptom and underlying causes of disease.
For more information about her medical clinic, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please get in touch. She is also known as one of the leading gastrointestinal doctors in Singapore, and she helps a great number of patients suffering from eczema as well.