Stabilizing low blood sugar is key to many autoimmune, inflammatory, and brain-based disorders

One of the most common health issues I see in new patients is unstable blood sugar. Unstable blood sugar underlies many of the symptoms that autoimmune patients cope with, including exhaustion, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and brain fog. This is a relatively simple issue to remedy, and many patients don’t realize how deeply it impacts their…

Follow an anti-inflammatory diet after a brain injury or concussion

A brain injury activates the brain’s immune system to remove dead and damaged cells. However, the brain’s immune system does not have an automatic “off switch” like the body’s. This means the inflammatory response can continue long after the concussion, showing up as neurological and health issues years later. An anti-inflammatory diet reduces inflammation and…

Woman holding abdomen in pain

Bloating and poor digestion? Three causes of low pancreatic enzymes

If you experience bloating and poor digestion, you may need to take a look at whether you’re producing enough pancreatic enzymes. This is an important step in addressing digestive dysfunction in an organized “north-to-south” sequence. If any single step along the way is out of balance, the entire system will be less efficient and any…

HOW HASHIMOTO’S CAN CAUSE POOR BRAIN FUNCTION

Depression, fatigue, brain fog, loss of motivation, anxiety, and memory loss are common complaints among patients with Hashimoto’s. Unmanaged Hashimoto’s has a severe impact on brain health for several reasons: The brain depends on sufficient thyroid hormone to function and is not getting enough, or levels fluctuate. The autoimmune mechanisms that damage the thyroid gland…

What happens to your brain after a concussion

A concussion activates the brain’s immune system to remove dead and damaged cells. However, unlike the body’s immune system, the brain’s immune system does not have an automatic “off switch.” This means the inflammatory response can continue long after the concussion, showing up as neurological and health issues years later. The brain’s immune cells The…

My new study: Leaky gut increases odds of autoimmunity 30-fold

  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…