Practitioners around the country are continually astonished by the profound therapeutic effect of a strict gluten-free diet on neurological disorders (the key word is “strict”). Studies have found associations between gluten sensitivity and disorders in every major part of the nervous system, including the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves that extend into the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
A 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…
People 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…
Datis 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.…
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…