Fighting Autoimmune Diseases with a Keto Lifestyle

I’m Erin, and my health journey started in 2014 when I was diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjogren’s Syndrome. As a Hall of Fame collegiate volleyball player, I thrive when I am active, so these diagnoses were devastating. For years I tried Western medicines, most of which made me feel worse. I was chasing three children, working full time and struggling with my inflammation. I spent so many days unable to get out of bed due to my illnesses. I was missing moments with my family and missing out on life. Finally I realized Western medicine was not the answer to healing my autoimmune symptoms and I had to take my health into my own hands. 

I heard about the Keto diet in January 2019 and started it right away with my husband. By April of 2019 I had lost 25 pounds and my husband had lost 50 pounds. It’s no longer a diet for us, but a habit and a lifestyle and we’ve both been able to maintain our weight loss. For us, the Keto diet sparked a low-carb, low-sugar, active lifestyle that has completely changed us. In addition to my own health struggles, my husband was on the verge of needing medication to manage his high blood pressure. But the Keto diet and lifestyle brought down his blood pressure to normal levels and he was able to avoid medication. For me, the lifestyle change has suppressed the inflammation in my body and put my Rheumatoid Arthritis in remission. Sjogren’s Syndrome has affected my body much more, but I’m down to only one maintenance medication a day. I’ve also enjoyed a rebound in my energy, which I’ve channeled into working out and staying fit. 

While researching Keto recipes and products you can enjoy on a Keto-friendly diet, I came across Cali’flour Foods on social media. Since then it has been a staple in our house. For more than a year, I worked to perfect all of the Keto-friendly carbs - making my own bagels, breads, pizza crusts. And Cali’flour Foods made it so much easier. Our family loves pizza nights and our go-to is meat lovers pizza with the Cali’flour Foods pizza crusts. We have found it is the best crust available and we love the thin, crunchy crust!

It’s been six years since I was first diagnosed and I feel like I finally have my diseases under control. I would encourage anyone with autoimmune or chronic disease to take their health into their own hands and adopt a diet that suppresses inflammation. There is such power in taking control. In addition to my own health, I was motivated by my love for life and my family. Now at 37 years young, I’m the healthiest I’ve been in years, with the most energy and I’m not weighed down by the never-ending battle with my body.