These two oils provide the essential fatty acids that have been shown to favorably modulate immune function and help correct autoimmune disease. For those who don't like fish oil supplements, flax or perilla oils can be substituted. When consuming supplemental oils, it is especially important to protect the body from excessive oxidation that would normally occur in response to ingestion of these fatty acids. L-carnitine has been shown to reduce the impairment of immune function caused by the dangerous fats found in the typical American diet. Those with existing autoimmune diseases may need more than essential fatty acids and antioxidant supplements to gain control over their disease.
Sleep is also very important.
One of the major contributors to immune dysfunction is stress. The mechanism is simple. Prolonged, even low-level stress stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, which in excess impairs immune function. Depression and emotional distress are also contributors to immune dysfunction. There is a connection between the limbic system and the part of the brain from which emotions arise.