It has long been believed that only certain gene types are susceptible to celiac disease and that the destruction caused by gluten is limited to the intestinal tract. Gene types HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 have been associated with an increased risk of celiac disease. Gliadin and transglutaminase antibodies, which can be measured in the…
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No food is a more powerful trigger of neurological issues and autoimmunity than gluten, the protein found in wheat. The average American eats wheat at every meal and we’re seeing dramatic increases in gluten sensitivity today. The term gluten comes from the Latin word for “glue” and it’s the glue-like quality that gives wheat…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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Exercise is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory interventions. The higher the intensity of the exercise, the more antioxidants your body releases afterward to help quench inflammation. However, one must pay attention to the intensity and duration for exercise to be inflammatory versus pro-inflammatory. The intensity will impact factors such as hormone growth factors, natural…
DetailsA recent study I coauthored in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found a damaged intestinal barrier, or leaky gut, can lead to 30-fold increased odds of developing autoimmunity. Leaky gut allows undigested food, microorganisms, toxins, and other pathogens in the gut to escape into the bloodstream. This can trigger systemic inflammation and promote…
DetailsPeople love to shop for immune-boosting herbs and supplements during cold and flu season, yet the most important ingredients for immune resilience can’t be found in a supplement bottle. Instead, they’re on your pillow. And in your kitchen. Two deeply important yet admittedly unsexy factors when it comes to immune resilience are sufficient sleep and…
DetailsDatis Kharrazian, PhD, DHSc, DC, MS, MMSc, FACN Did you know the bustling community of trillions of microbes living in your gut can play a role in managing autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s? Decades ago, scientists began hypothesizing a connection between the gut microbiome (all the microorganisms residing in our intestines) and the thyroid gland.…
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The autoimmune elimination-provocation (AEP) diet serves multiple purposes. It helps heal leaky gut, identify immune-reactive foods, and calm the immune system to manage autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s. Around ten years ago, bloggers rebranded this diet as the “autoimmune paleo,” or AIP, diet. However, I prefer the long-used original term “elimination-provocation diet.” Many people wonder what…
DetailsIn Episode 23 of Hashimoto’s: Solving the Puzzle episode I discuss the links between gluten sensitivity and Hashimoto’s. Contrary to popular belief, gluten intolerance is not a fad. Rates of gluten intolerance have risen dramatically in recent decades due to many factors of industrialization. Unsurprisingly, significant links exist between gluten and autoimmunity, particularly Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. People…
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