7️⃣2️⃣ Oats as Cooked Oatmeal or Fermented Overnight. Rolled, Steel Cut, or Whole Groat. Prebiotic, Probiotic, not Idiotic via Dr. Richard Matthews.: healthunlocked.com/cure-art...
5️⃣6️⃣ Osteoarthritis: Prevented with Diet & Exercise? University of Surrey (U.K.) study in 'Nature Reviews Rheumatology': healthunlocked.com/ra-warri...
4️⃣3️⃣ "How U.S. Health Care Became Big Business": Medical Journalist, Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal talks with NPR's Terry Gross: healthunlocked.com/ra-warri...
3️⃣8️⃣ "A Kitchen Fairy Tale" by Iida, How She Healed Herself with a Plant-Based Diet (according to 'Tribe Magazine'): healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...
3️⃣7️⃣ Can I Avoid RA Drugs or Should I Go On Drugs? 'Paddison Program' FAQ Opinion; Also: Methotrexate Explanation & References: healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...
2️⃣2️⃣ Roxana, 'The Sofia Vergara of Peru' (& now 'The States'), Improves Her Hashimoto's (Hypothyroid) & Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
2️⃣ FREE 3-Part 'Serology (RF, ACPA, Anti-CCP, ANAs, ANCA) in Rheumatology' Series from Dr. Robert Coughlan's 'Rheumatology Toolbox': healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...
• The true impact of auto-immune disease in US and other countries. What is functional medicine and how is it different from conventional medicine?
• The facts behind why medication is not the core solution. Inspirational personal case studies of patients being healed by the functional medicine protocols.
• Who is Dr. Tom O'Bryan and what's his purpose with the 'Betrayal' documentary series?
.
2️⃣ Overview
• The importance of healthy gut.
• Intestinal permeability explained.
• What are the signs of leaky gut?
• The leaky gut and rheumatoid arthritis connection.
• Case studies of patients who experienced gut problems.
• The issue with vitamin deficiency and mal absorption.
• The vitamin d deficiency connection.
.
3️⃣ Overview
• What is microbiome relation to healthy gut?
• Autoimmune disease in Western countries vs third world countries.
• Microbiome regulates the immune system.
• How is microbiome affected at birth?
• Solution for healthy microbiome.
• Case studies of patients healed by healthy microbiome.
• Steps to check the status of your gut's microbiome.
• Food affect on microbiome.
.
4️⃣ Overview
• Connection of auto immune disease with gluten intolerance.
• Ways to test and see if your digestive system is healthy or not.
• The steps for treating the digestive diseases.
• Success studies of patients getting healed from digestive diseases.
• Acid is essential for good digestion.
• What to eat for healthy gut.
.
5️⃣ Overview
• Today, toxins exists everywhere in the world.
• The toxins in our food.
• The fire retardant issue.
• Heavy metal's affect on the body.
• The unexpected mold problem.
• Plastic, BPA
• EMF exposure
• Shampoo, make up, deodrant
• Air pollution
.
6️⃣ Overview
• Autoimmunity and the effects on the Brain
• Brain fog, memory loss, anxiety, and depression…are they signs of autoimmunity? Can you test for that?
• Chemicals found in everyday life are altering your brain function.
• Cases that explain that the brain is directly connected with the gut.
• Why rates of lupus, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, MS, autism, and ADD skyrocketed in the last few decades.
• The role diet plays in brain function and brain diseases.
.
7️⃣ Overview
• Conventional medicine was not effective.
• Emotional journey during the illness.
• On the way to find healing.
• Life now after healing.
• Encouragement words from the survivors for those still suffering.
.
8️⃣ In this episode you'll hear the emotional stories of patients from across the US and Europe who were diagnosed with hypothyroidism/ Hashimoto's, psoriasis, linear iga bullous, systemic lupus erythematosus and more, who share:
• How it all began
• Tragic experiences from their ineffective conventional medicine treatments
• Their emotional journey during the illness
• What life looks like now after healing
• Words of encouragement and hope to those still suffering
.
9️⃣ Overview
• You’ve heard their advice, you’ve heard about the patients they’ve saved - but have you heard the hidden stories of how these world leading doctors & experts became who they are today?
• Hear from seven world renowned doctors who lift the hood on their past, bearing all on camera, as to what motivated them to be different to their peers.
• Find out the unknown journeys of David Perlmutter, Tom O’Bryan, Jill Carnahan, David Jones, Christa Orecchio, Michael Ash and Tom Malterre in this unique episode.
"Conspiracy therories have been around for centuries....and sadly people still hold out hope. This man comes from a country where healthcare has a price...conspiracy "health "therories run wild....So I understand why Americans need to believe....it's a matter of paying rent or paying for healthcare.....but for people who live in countries that understand healthcare is a human right, not a priviledge...well I don't understand why they think their country's healthcare system is lying to them. There is no need or reason to believe our government healthcare system is lying to us.
If Mr. Tom O'Bryan has the cure of all auto immune diseases then he would be rewarded the Nobel Peace Prize for medicine. He would be a hero....but alas....could it be that he is a con man seeking to swindle desperate people seeking a miracle cure? "
How to Stop Worrying and Learn to Love the Internet:
". . . So people complain that there’s a lot of rubbish online, or that it’s dominated by Americans, or that you can’t necessarily trust what you read on the web. Imagine trying to apply any of those criticisms to what you hear on the telephone. Of course you can’t ‘trust’ what people tell you on the web anymore than you can ‘trust’ what people tell you on megaphones, postcards or in restaurants. Working out the social politics of who you can trust and why is, quite literally, what a very large part of our brain has evolved to do. For some batty reason we turn off this natural scepticism when we see things in any medium which require a lot of work or resources to work in, or in which we can’t easily answer back – like newspapers, television or granite. Hence ‘carved in stone.’ What should concern us is not that we can’t take what we read on the internet on trust – of course you can’t, it’s just people talking – but that we ever got into the dangerous habit of believing what we read in the newspapers or saw on the TV – a mistake that no one who has met an actual journalist would ever make. One of the most important things you learn from the internet is that there is no ‘them’ out there. It’s just an awful lot of ‘us’. . . ." Douglas Adams
"It's nice to have you back Kai ... I do enjoy talking to you, even though we sometimes agree to disagree with each other. Information from both sides of a discussion is very educational
Whether the "pseudo-science" explanations satisfy the medical/ science/ layman community is a battle that can (& likely will) rage on for decades. ⏳ ⏳ ⏳
For those who have time to sit on the sidelines & WAIT for those "satisfactory explanations/ proof" to emerge, gawd bless 'em! 🙏
They are welcome to sit & wait for 'the pope's blessing'. 😉 🙏 😆
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Some of us simply don't have time to continue to progressively decline following the approved, "scientifically-proven", pope-blessed, Betty-Crocker-baked, Good-Housekeeping-seal-of-approval approved protocols that simply don't work for us. 😱 😂 🙃
We have no further choices but to 'go out on a limb' & try something else.
.
______
No matter how 'laughed at', ridiculed, dismissed, pooh poohed, 'naysayed to death' our 'trial & error' self-experiments have been -- they've breathed life back into many of us.
Those of us who've had (and continue having) the experience, we merely wish to share it with others who are genuinely interested.
We all know full well, & have acknowledged ceaselessly/ endlessly -- IT DOESN'T WORK FOR EVERYONE.
For whatever reason, it just doesn't.
I've no explanation for the process's failure.
.
______
I, too, enjoy exchanging ideas with you very much, suzannedale. 🙏 🤗
(You're a good egg 🐣 ! 🙂 😉 )
I've no disagreement with your legitimate, soundly raised concerns. 👍
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______
I simply have no understanding of why so many people, have felt the need to naysay, dismiss, pooh pooh processes, approaches, techniques that work well for so many of us.
A merely rhetorical 'why?' tossed out into the universe 🌌.
I 'get it' that the processes don't work for everyone. I fully understand & appreciate 🙏 the disappointment 😞 , frustration 😖, even anger 😠 .
And, I understand the need for those for whom the processes simply doesn't work to clearly let it be known -- to make others aware of potential disappointment. 🙏
.
______
Yet, I don't 'get' the continual need -- of what appears to be the creation of FUD (Fear Uncertainty Doubt) -- that had been fomented over the (year+) time I'd been on HU forums for anyone even 'thinking' about attempting such processes -- even under physicians monitoring.
[All of those FUD points were addressed (& re-addressed endlessly) -- yet still seem to be unsatisfactory -- as well as having 'disappeared' in the 'great obliteration' (of my HU account). 😂 😆 🙃 ]
I'm not against the theory of the "leaky gut", I am against chiropractors from the USA making claims in Europe that the "leaky gut" theory is real. It is a theory, I wish it were true, but alas it isn't. It is wrong to claim something is true.
Whether 'Leaky Gut' theory proves to be accurate or inaccurate -- may reveal itself over time.
That's for 'big brains' to determine. 🤓 🤔
[As a layman, I haven't 'a horse in the race'. 🐎 I've neither 'opinion' nor 'conviction' either way. 😶 ]
______
Unfortunately, it appears to be a stumbling block ('right out of the gate') -- the disputability of the 'Leaky Gut' theory).
The inability to 'get over' it's 'theoretical limbo state' appears to prevent people from seeing beyond that 'sticking point'.
Despite the 'theory' *and* the shortcomings/ flaws of the 'Autoimmunity Series' itself (as elaborated in earlier, now 'disappeared' comments -- as well as comments in other forums . . .), the critical useful points are overshadowed/ overlooked/ forgotten/ by-passed by an inability to get over "theory".
The substance (the baby 👶 ) is continually being "thrown out with the bath water" 🛁.
.
😂 😂 😂
.
[Somewhere . . . there's an awful lot of babies floating about . . . 🌊 👶 👶 👶 ]
.
______
Merely my opinion:
'Black & white', 'all or nothing' statements get us nowhere -- except, perhaps, encouraging folks to 'choose sides'? Dig in heels? . . . 🤔
There's a lot of 'shades of gray', 'nuance', 'wiggle room' . . . in day-to-day reality for multitudes of us who haven't 'a horse in the race' -- nor feel a need to 'choose sides' . . .
Many of us merely want to know what approaches/ techniques we can implement in 'the here & now' to get though a day, & hopefully, improve our conditions over time.
We're not interested in 'arguing'/ getting 'stuck in' which theories are proven or disproven.
We merely want to know WHAT we can do to influence the course of disease progression.
The immediacy of pain, debilitation, etc . . . forces us to 'laser focus' on what we can do to influence our condition . . . NOW.
______
Whether 'Leaky Gut' is true or untrue -- makes no difference when I know (for me & plenty of other autoimmuners) -- what is true for us (for example), is ingesting dairy 🧀 🍦 🍶 🐄 will make me (us) flare.
That 'personal truth' -- proven (for myself, as well as plenty of others) through 'trial & error' self-experimentation, which doesn't hinge upon whether scientists agree upon a 'theory' or not.
[That's the only part that really interests/ matters to me -- and, I suspect, many others. Many of us sufferers merely want to know ('boots on the ground') WHAT we can do -- in the here & now -- to try to help ourselves feel better.]
We're happy to let scientists, experts, FUDers . . . 'work out the kinks' -- argue the 'validity of theories' till the end of time . . . (That's of no concern to us.)
All we know is what we are doing is working for us or isn't working for us. 🙏
A downside of getting stuck in 'theoretical rightness/ wrongness' argument, renders some of us immobile -- unable, unwilling, fearful, etc. of trying something that can help (some? many?) of us improve/ heal.
Being frozen in indecision/ immobility -- because something is not 'proven to scientific satisfaction' -- is an unfortunate unintended consequence -- a 'fall out' -- of uncertainty/ limbo. 😑
Days, months, years fritter away -- 'sitting on the fence' of indecision -- because a 'theory' hasn't been proven. In the meanwhile, disease takes firmer root -- progresses -- as the argument of "unproven theories" rages on . . . 😳 🙃
.
😂 😂 😂
.
(If we didn't laugh at the absurdity of it all, we'd weep. 😭 😭 😭 )
.
______
To each his own. 🙏
Some choose to 'go out on a limb' & munch their "leafy greens" 🍃 etc., some choose to 'bah humbug' 😉 & insist it's all 'stuff'n nonsense' 🙄 . . .
It's all fine . . . 👍
We live our own lives, we think for ourselves, we make our own assessments, & proceed accordingly . . . 🙏
______
For some of us, it 'buys more time' -- more 'quality of life' . . . 🙏
That's 'good enough' for us. . . 🤗
______
[Personally, I merely wish to share what has helped me, so it might help others. 🙏 I'm not interested in arguing 'rightness or wrongness' of 'theories'.]
For interested folks, bold face text highlights key points from Thomas Campbell's article, Autoimmune Disease: Genes, Infection, Environment & Gut ( nutritionstudies.org/autoim... ), which overlaps with key points in the Tom O'Bryan 'Autoimmunity Series'.
.
Those are merely a few of the IMPORTANT 'takeaways' from the 'Autoimmunity Series'.
.
[Merely opinion: Getting wrapped around the axel about minutia, 'uncertainties', etc. can have you 'spinning your wheels' indefinitely. If you keep your eye on the big 'overview' picture-- the key commonly agreed upon points -- you'll be able to "see the wood for the trees" . . . englishclub.com/ref/esl/Idi...
👍 🙏 🍀 🌺
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. . .
Gut Health
Partly from the research on celiac disease, we now know that part of the problem is a breakdown in the barrier in the intestine. It involves what is commonly known as “leaky gut.” The ‘seal’ between the cells that line the gut, which keeps the outside food outside, break apart. Once the barrier is disrupted, incompletely digested material gets behind the first layer of cells in the gut. This can cause problems.
.
And if autoimmune diseases sometimes cluster together is it possible that “leaky gut” is playing a role common to many of these illnesses? Type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and thyroid disease can cluster together in the same individuals, for example[30].
.
Of course, the health of the intestine is related to the health of the bacteria that live in the intestine. And despite the rampant claims and products and pills and potions found on the internet for the buzzwords “leaky gut,” “inflammation” and “microbiome,” our current understanding of which bacteria exactly are good, what exactly they do, and how to best support them is in the early stages of research. Generally, we know that fiber and unrefined plant foods like leafy greens help to maintain a healthy diversity of beneficial bacteria in your intestine. This is consistent with research showing that Western diets high in meat, dairy, saturated fats, and low in fiber, fruits and vegetables are linked to some autoimmune diseases and increases inflammation in general.
.
Figure 1. The Autoimmune Formula
.
So what do you take away from all this? I wish I could offer a simple explanation that answers the question about what causes autoimmune disease. But I can’t. I don’t think the science supports making blanket statements about autoimmune disease, but there are some key lessons we’ve seen so far that may be helpful.
.
As far as controllable factors, it seems that cow’s milk is, by far, the food most commonly linked to autoimmune disease. I suggest to my patients that they avoid cow’s milk products in all their forms. Second, avoid other components of a “western”-style diet, which means avoiding meat, added oils, and dairy (already mentioned) and including plenty of fiber and green, yellow and orange vegetables. Third, infant nutrition and breastfeeding may play a role, so I encourage moms to do everything they can to breastfeed. Fourth, get outside and get sun (without burning) and stay active regularly. Fifth, don’t smoke (I didn’t discuss this earlier, but smoking has been linked to some autoimmune disease). Sixth, include some sea vegetables in the diet now and then or use iodized salt to ensure iodine intake.
.
You may have noticed I didn’t mention gluten in my recommendations. I think it reasonable to avoid gluten, particularly if you have autoimmune disease or are at risk, but you may want to discuss with your doctor being tested for celiac before embarking on a gluten-free life. Consider getting tested for celiac disease if you have autoimmune disease or think you generally have reactions to gluten. Despite the attention heaped on gluten, it is not as strongly implicated in a broad array of autoimmune disease as is cow’s milk. It is difficult to avoid gluten 100% of the time and for most people, I’m not quite convinced it’s necessary. I have two full chapters on gluten in The China Study Solution (which is The Campbell Plan in hardcover).
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By adhering to these strategies will everyone avoid all autoimmune disease? Of course not. I believe it to be clear that there is more to autoimmune disease than nutrition. But I also believe that nutrition is likely to be the single greatest modifiable risk factor that affects autoimmune disease. And this isn’t just about prevention. There is now a smattering of evidence that diet can be an effective part of treating autoimmune disease.
.
In various publications, diet and lifestyle treatments have shown benefit in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s colitis, multiple sclerosis, and even type 1 diabetes. Once people are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, we now know that consuming a more Western diet has been linked to worse outcomes. And we know, of course, that avoiding gluten is the definitive treatment for celiac disease. Importantly, diet and lifestyle can also improve risks of related chronic diseases (many autoimmune conditions, for example, are linked to a higher risk of heart disease). So what have we got to lose in considering nutrition as part of the autoimmune “conversation”? How about some cholesterol? Or some weight? And maybe we’ll find powerful success for some of us with autoimmune disease along the way.
For convenience of folks interested in the bulk of the Campbell article, it's included below.
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To view tables, figures, references, see article's source page Autoimmune Disease: Genes, Infection, Environment & Gut (by Thomas Campbell, MD March 24, 2016 · modified on October 5, 2016): nutritionstudies.org/autoim...
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Autoimmune Disease: Genes, Infection, Environment & Gut
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You may be familiar with the term “autoimmune,” given increasing attention to chronic inflammation and autoimmune disease in the popular media. Autoimmune means that the body has an immune reaction to substances naturally present in the body. In other words, the immune system attacks “self.” This can happen in most tissues in the body and, accordingly, there are more than 80 autoimmune diseases that have been named and described. Many autoimmune diseases are rare and have been the subject of very limited research. Table 1 lists a small sample of some of the more common autoimmune diseases.
.
Table 1. Small sample of autoimmune diseases (out of >80)
[See source page for Table 1.]
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Collectively, though many individual conditions are very rare, autoimmune diseases as a group are actually quite common, affecting perhaps about 7-10% of the population[1], with women being more commonly afflicted. And it seems that the prevalence of autoimmune disease is increasing[2]. Autoimmune diseases can be extremely difficult to diagnose and often present with vague, nonspecific symptoms like fatigue, odd pains, or skin rashes. Given the prevalence, along with the lack of scientific understanding and the vague symptoms, autoimmune diseases have become something of a “catch-all” in the public mind. If an illness goes undiagnosed, is composed of a collection of nonspecific symptoms, people might naturally wonder about “autoimmune.”
.
Autoimmune disease is complicated; extraordinarily complicated. In my reading of the literature, there are several intertwined factors that may affect risk of autoimmune disease:
.
1️⃣ Genes
2️⃣ Infections
3️⃣ Environmental factors (including diet, sun exposure, and tobacco use)
4️⃣ Gut health (which includes the bacteria living in your intestine and their activity)
Let’s go through each of these briefly to illustrate why each of these is important.
.
.
1️⃣ Genes
.
Many of the patients I have known believe autoimmune disease to be very nearly 100% “in the genes,” particularly those patients with family members who are afflicted. It turns out that genes matter a great deal for some autoimmune diseases but are less important for others.
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It seems that the more genetic research has been done for any one disease, the more regions of our genes are found to be involved in risk[3]. HLA genes are particularly prominent in autoimmune disease as they are involved in the body being able to distinguish self from foreign invaders. For example, all celiac patients have one of two HLA genes, though many other genes may be involved[4].
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Table 2 shows summary data from identical twin studies. Identical twins, of course, are siblings with exactly the same genes. For those twins where one sibling has the disease, the probability that the other sibling also has the disease is called “concordance.”
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Table 2. Autoimmune concordance among identical twins[5]
[See source page for Table 2.]
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Some conditions, like celiac disease and ankylosing spondylitis, seem to have very strong genetic components. But the majority of autoimmune diseases only appear in both siblings in a minority of identical twins. The risk of getting autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and type 1 diabetes clearly must be strongly affected by something other than genes.
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In other words, for many of these autoimmune conditions, having high-risk genes may be a necessary but not sufficient reason for a person to get the disease. It’s something more than just genes.
.
.
2️⃣ Infections
.
It should come as no surprise that certain infections are linked to some autoimmune diseases. What does your body do in response to infections? It revs up the immune system to fight the invaders. In some cases infections may actually lower the risk of autoimmune disease, and in some cases they may cause autoimmune disease[6].
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Infections can be damaging, though, too. Several autoimmune diseases have been linked to specific infections. Sometimes, it seems that chronic infection and inflammation from a viral or bacterial invader can actually precipitate immune system confusion at some point, triggering the start of the autoimmune process6. People who have been exposed to Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), which causes mono, have a higher rate of multiple sclerosis[7] [7]. Those who have been infected with EBV in adolescence or later in life have a 30 times higher risk of multiple sclerosis compared to those who have never had Epstein Barr Virus[7]. That’s a big number.
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How does it work? We know that there are parts of these infections that look a lot like parts of our body. When the immune system attacks the infection, it can cross-react and attack the similar parts of our own body, not being able to distinguish between the invader and “self.” This is called molecular mimicry. The molecules mimic each other, in a sense. For example, this can happen when the bacteria that causes strep throat (Streptococcus pyogenes), leads to immune system cross-reaction with heart muscle, causing rheumatic fever. This is a main reason why we give antibiotics for strep throat. Similarly, Ankylosing Spondylitis has been linked to Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Guillain-Barré has been linked to Campylobacter jejuni. There are dozens of links between various autoimmune conditions and viruses or bacteria[9].
.
.
3️⃣ Environment
.
If there’s an important genetic component and infections might play an important role, are autoimmune diseases basically just “luck of the draw” illnesses? No. That’s clearly not the whole picture, based on data related other environmental exposures.
.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) rates vary widely throughout the world. When I tell you that the farther away a population is from the equator, the higher the rate of multiple sclerosis[10], how do you make sense of that? How about the fact that if you were born in November you have a slightly lower rate of MS and if you were born in May you have a slightly higher risk of getting MS than what otherwise would be expected by random chance[11]? How are these connected? Does cold weather somehow cause MS, or some other seasonal factor?
.
And we now know that if migrants from a high risk area move to a low risk area, their risk becomes lower when compared to that of their homeland population[12].
.
We obviously have to consider more than genes and viruses. There’s some other environmental exposure that matters. By environment, I mean exposures related to food, exercise, tobacco, weather, environmental chemicals, X-rays, or basically anything to which we’re exposed. In the mystery of why multiple sclerosis is more common the farther from the equator you go, we can find an answer in vitamin D. Lower vitamin D levels are linked to higher the risk of MS[13], and a higher the risk of exacerbations if you have the illness[14]. People far from the equator have lower vitamin D levels. And babies born in the northern hemisphere in November compared to May have been in utero when their mom is more likely to have had better vitamin D status.
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We make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight, so you can see how being far away from the equator might be reasonably linked to disease risk. We also know now that vitamin D is involved in immune system function[15]. It’s important to note that taking vitamin D supplements have not been shown to be helpful for multiple sclerosis16. You can’t take a nutrient supplement and get the same benefit for chronic disease, which is a principle that has been proven to be true many times in many studies.
.
What about nutrition? It turns out that there’s a striking correlation between a population’s milk consumption and how much multiple sclerosis is in the population[17]. The more cow’s milk, the more multiple sclerosis.
.
Molecular mimicry may be playing a role. Multiple sclerosis is a disease of damage to the nerve sheaths, the important covering to our nerve cells. It turns out that there’s a protein in cow’s milk that looks a lot like a protein on our nerve sheaths[18]. Our immune system reacts to both the cow’s milk protein and the nerve sheaths.
.
The link between dairy intake and autoimmune disease and molecular mimicry doesn’t stop with multiple sclerosis. Type 1 diabetes, a disease where the immune system attacks the pancreas, has also been linked to dairy. There is a striking correlation between high dairy consumption in a population and high rates of type 1 diabetes[19]. Patients with the disease also have a strong immune response to proteins in milk that “mimic” components of the pancreas[20] [21]. Type 1 diabetes is, by definition, a disease resulting from destruction of the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. Why does the immune system attack both the proteins in milk that “mimic” pancreas components and the pancreas itself? Are exposures to milk proteins “triggering” the autoimmune process? This has been an ongoing hypothesis.
.
It may be that the timing of exposure to milk also plays an important role. The timing of when an infant starts consuming solid foods seems to affect risk[22]. Breast milk appears to be protective[23]. One hypothesis has been that if infants are exposed to cow’s milk proteins too early, the proteins get through the wall of the gut and then play a role in initiating the autoimmune process.
.
It turns out that animal studies support this idea. There is a type of rat that has been bred to have a high rate of type 1 diabetes and, at the time of weaning, exposure to cow’s milk protein leads to a dramatically increased incidence of type 1 diabetes[24]. Take away the milk protein and you can take away most of the diabetes.
.
But it gets even more complicated because it’s not just related to cow’s milk. It turns out you can also trigger type 1 diabetes in this animal model with gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. If researchers withhold gluten at the time of weaning in mice bred to get diabetes, they can quite strikingly prevent diabetes[25].
.
Gluten, of course, is also strongly linked to celiac disease. In fact, celiac disease does not exist without gluten. When exposed to gluten, the immune system goes a bit haywire in the intestinal wall and the resulting inflammation ends up greatly harming the intricate surface of the intestine. The disease is cured by removing gluten from the diet. In related conditions, we also know that gluten can cause something called gluten ataxia, a very serious debilitating disease causing loss of coordination and muscle function, and dermatitis herpetiformis, a skin rash. Both of these, based on our current understanding, are rare.
.
Of course, it’s not just cow’s milk and gluten that have been implicated in autoimmune disease. We know that risk of inflammatory bowel disorders, crohn’s colitis and ulcerative colitis, has been linked to infant feeding practices (breastfeeding being protective), cow’s milk, low intake of fiber and vegetables, and increased meat and added fats in the diet[26] [27]. Thyroid conditions are linked to iodine intake[28]. Not enough iodine and too much iodine[29] both can be problems.
.
.
4️⃣ Gut Health
.
Partly from the research on celiac disease, we now know that part of the problem is a breakdown in the barrier in the intestine. It involves what is commonly known as “leaky gut.” The ‘seal’ between the cells that line the gut, which keeps the outside food outside, break apart. Once the barrier is disrupted, incompletely digested material gets behind the first layer of cells in the gut. This can cause problems.
.
And if autoimmune diseases sometimes cluster together is it possible that “leaky gut” is playing a role common to many of these illnesses? Type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and thyroid disease can cluster together in the same individuals, for example[30].
.
Of course, the health of the intestine is related to the health of the bacteria that live in the intestine. And despite the rampant claims and products and pills and potions found on the internet for the buzzwords “leaky gut,” “inflammation” and “microbiome,” our current understanding of which bacteria exactly are good, what exactly they do, and how to best support them is in the early stages of research. Generally, we know that fiber and unrefined plant foods like leafy greens help to maintain a healthy diversity of beneficial bacteria in your intestine. This is consistent with research showing that Western diets high in meat, dairy, saturated fats, and low in fiber, fruits and vegetables are linked to some autoimmune diseases and increases inflammation in general.
.
Figure 1. The Autoimmune Formula
[See source page for Figure 1.]
.
So what do you take away from all this? I wish I could offer a simple explanation that answers the question about what causes autoimmune disease. But I can’t. I don’t think the science supports making blanket statements about autoimmune disease, but there are some key lessons we’ve seen so far that may be helpful.
.
As far as controllable factors, it seems that cow’s milk is, by far, the food most commonly linked to autoimmune disease. I suggest to my patients that they avoid cow’s milk products in all their forms. Second, avoid other components of a “western”-style diet, which means avoiding meat, added oils, and dairy (already mentioned) and including plenty of fiber and green, yellow and orange vegetables. Third, infant nutrition and breastfeeding may play a role, so I encourage moms to do everything they can to breastfeed. Fourth, get outside and get sun (without burning) and stay active regularly. Fifth, don’t smoke (I didn’t discuss this earlier, but smoking has been linked to some autoimmune disease). Sixth, include some sea vegetables in the diet now and then or use iodized salt to ensure iodine intake.
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You may have noticed I didn’t mention gluten in my recommendations. I think it reasonable to avoid gluten, particularly if you have autoimmune disease or are at risk, but you may want to discuss with your doctor being tested for celiac before embarking on a gluten-free life. Consider getting tested for celiac disease if you have autoimmune disease or think you generally have reactions to gluten. Despite the attention heaped on gluten, it is not as strongly implicated in a broad array of autoimmune disease as is cow’s milk. It is difficult to avoid gluten 100% of the time and for most people, I’m not quite convinced it’s necessary. I have two full chapters on gluten in The China Study Solution (which is The Campbell Plan in hardcover).
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By adhering to these strategies will everyone avoid all autoimmune disease? Of course not. I believe it to be clear that there is more to autoimmune disease than nutrition. But I also believe that nutrition is likely to be the single greatest modifiable risk factor that affects autoimmune disease. And this isn’t just about prevention. There is now a smattering of evidence that diet can be an effective part of treating autoimmune disease.
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In various publications, diet and lifestyle treatments have shown benefit in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s colitis, multiple sclerosis, and even type 1 diabetes. Once people are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, we now know that consuming a more Western diet has been linked to worse outcomes. And we know, of course, that avoiding gluten is the definitive treatment for celiac disease. Importantly, diet and lifestyle can also improve risks of related chronic diseases (many autoimmune conditions, for example, are linked to a higher risk of heart disease). So what have we got to lose in considering nutrition as part of the autoimmune “conversation”? How about some cholesterol? Or some weight? And maybe we’ll find powerful success for some of us with autoimmune disease along the way.
📹 Restoring Gut Health After Antibiotic Use: "Dr. Tom O'Bryan discusses the impact of antibiotics on your microbiome and how to restore gut flora and intestinal health after your round of antibiotic treatment. Dr. Tom lists pre-biotic foods and recipes that will help. Watch as he discusses his 4 week protocol for restoring intestinal bacteria. Special note for parents: There are several points that Dr. Tom makes about children and antibiotic use that you should listen to. Be sure to listen through to the apple sauce recipe. Kids love it and the pectin really helps!":
📹 What is Autoimmunity? "Dr. Tom O'Bryan, author of The Autoimmune Fix, explains the basic principles of autoimmunity diseases. Autoimmune disorders include degenerative or chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, heart disease, lupus, osteoporosis and many other conditions."
📹 What is Wheat Sensitivity and Gluten Intolerance? "Dr. Tom O'Bryan answers the question "What is Gluten Sensitivity?" and points out the subtleties you need to know about Wheat Sensitivity. Stay tuned to the end to hear what Dr. Tom suggests we do about the impact on our autoimmune system. Delicious gluten-free recipes are provided as well."
One of the most mind-blowing aspects of my work is the flood of questions I am bombarded with on a daily basis, all about how to eat (and live) without gluten.
In this powerful video of “rapid-fire” Q&A, I answer MANY questions, from all around the globe and offer some great highlights … like…
• In the first TWO minutes, I answer this question: “What about millet, oats, quinoa and sprouted grains?”
• What about ancient wheat – or Frankenwheat? (13:44 – This issue comes up SO often, you’ll definitely want to hear the answer.)
• What about chia seeds or amaranth? (28:14)
• Find out why the tests for gluten sensitivity are often …wrong! (41:45)
• And find out some great foods you CAN enjoy, like coconut wraps and other goodies!
Video segmented at: Journey To 100: Evolution of Medicine (Functional Medicine & Importance of 'Community'): healthunlocked.com/cure-art... for ease of use.
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