Liver function plays a key role in functional medicine protocols

Did you know your liver can play a role in inflammation, leaky gut, food sensitivities, chemical sensitivities, and autoimmunity? Tending to liver function and liver detoxification is a vital part of functional medicine protocols to address chronic health issues. Liver detoxification involves making fat-soluble compounds water-soluble so they can be eliminated in urine, feces, or…

Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, and lab testing

Many people with gluten sensitivity and gastrointestinal inflammation develop intestinal permeability, or “leaky gut.” Leaky gut happens when the lining of the digestive tract becomes over-porous and allows toxins, undigested food, and other pathogens into the bloodstream. These pathogens trigger an immune cascade that results in systemic inflammation, increasing the risk for food sensitivities, inflammation,…

Unwinding leaky gut

Before reading about how to unwind leaky gut, it’s important to understand what causes it so you can identify the best strategies to improve your gut and brain health. Unwinding leaky gut is a multi-faceted approach that consists of following a restricted diet, taking nutritional compounds that help reduce intestinal inflammation and repair the intestinal…

Dr. Kharrazian’s new research links BPA with multiple sclerosis; neurological autoimmunity

A new study by Dr. Kharrazian shows a link between bisphenol-A (BPA) in plastics and autoimmunity to brain and nerve tissue. The paper was published with Aristo Vojdani, PhD. BPA is a chemical found in plastic products such as water bottles, plastic utensils, and plastic bags. The paper shows two important ways BPA impacts the…

New research shows spinach, tomatoes, soy, and corn may be an immune trigger for multiple sclerosis

With immunologist Dr. Aristo Vojdani, PhD, I co-authored a study that found statistically significant associations between multiple sclerosis and spinach tomatoes, soy, and corn. We studied these food proteins because they share a similar protein with an autoimmune target site of nerve tissue called aquaporin. For a copy of this published research study linking the…

What you need to know about chelation, chemicals, and heavy metals when you have autoimmunity

Science has reliably proven that environmental pollutants, chemicals, and toxins can trigger autoimmunity. These chemicals include mercury, lead, benzene, solvents, and other compounds found in our everyday environment — carpets, mattresses, plastic utensils, plastic water bottles, fire retardants found in furniture and children’s pajamas, etc. Many people mistakenly believe the best thing to do in…

The Effect of Plastic Products on Autoimmune Disease and Thyroid Function: Stop Using Plastic Coffee Lids!

When managing Hashimoto’s or any autoimmune disease, one goal is to avoid triggers that cause flare ups. Although avoiding dietary triggers — such as gluten, grains, dairy, GMOs, lectins, etc. — is foundational, did you know environmental triggers can cause flare ups too? For example, one of the most common and most overlooked autoimmune triggers…