Antibodies Don’t Determine Autoimmune Severity: You must interpret levels from your baseline

While elevated antibodies are used to diagnose autoimmunity, antibody levels do not necessarily reflect the severity of autoimmune expression. If your antibodies are elevated on a lab test, but you are managing your autoimmunity and feel good, you are probably in remission. If your antibody levels are lower and your autoimmune symptoms are raging out…

How insulin resistance promotes dementia and Alzheimer’s

We typically associate insulin resistance with obesity and type 2 diabetes, but insulin resistance is also a significant risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s. Insulin resistance in the brain promotes chronic, low-grade inflammation, cellular dysfunction, and impaired mitochondrial function, all contributing to neuronal damage and cognitive impairment. In fact, some researchers refer to Alzheimer’s as…

Gut inflammation is linked to depression

Depression is not an antidepressant deficiency. In fact, for the 40% of Americans complaining of gut symptoms, depression may be one of those symptoms. Studies have found that the inflammatory signals in the gut can travel to the brain, triggering depression. Clinically, I have seen many patients resolve their depression simply by dampening gut inflammation.…

Childhood brain issues affect gut health: ADHD, autism, and gut health

If a child’s gut problems seem stubborn and irresolvable, the role of the brain should be considered. In the early years of life, the brain consists of two types of tissues: gray matter and white matter. Gray matter houses the neurons and reaches its peak by around ages 6–8. White matter, which serves as the…