It’s no surprise how very debilitating autoimmune disorders can be. Arthritic joints…aching muscles…overwhelming fatigue…and a host of other challenging symptoms can make navigating the world of autoimmunity seem overwhelming.
So when I recently asked my Facebook followers this simple question, “What autoimmune condition would you like to resolve?”, the responses came flying in.
Second only to thyroid issues, a large percentage asked for help with RA (rheumatoid arthritis), lupus and other autoimmune disorders. Today I’m addressing the hidden, root causes of these painful conditions that mainstream medicine won’t tell you about.
Reality Check
The painfully stiff joints of RA are NOT just an inevitable sign of aging. Nor are the energy robbing, debilitating effects of other autoimmune disorders, such as lupus. And, just trying one prescription after another to mitigate symptoms is not going to resolve the underlying issues.
Many physicians are not trained to see the connection between what you eat, the toxins you are exposed to, your dental health, your gut health and the way your body digests and absorbs – or just flushes out – the nutrients it needs to function optimally. Truth is, you need to become your own best health advocate and take a deeper look underneath the surface of your symptoms – starting with your gut.
Gut Check
Autoimmune disorders, especially RA, impact the gut. Your microbiome plays a huge role here. What is this, exactly? This collection of bacteria (good and bad), mycoplasma, parasites, virus, yeast and fungi all make up the inner ecology of your gut, known as your microbiome.
Starting in your mouth with your gums and teeth, all the way to the end of your digestive tract, this diverse collection of organisms creates a mutable barrier to prevent toxins gaining entrance to the bloodstream itself. When functioning properly, it also helps make the most of the nutrients you ingest.
When this mutable barrier starts to become permeated, a condition known as leaky gut occurs, allowing partially digested foods and other toxins to invade your system. As a result, your immune system goes on high alert. It recognizes these particles as harmful trespassers and reacts against them, sending out antibodies to search and destroy. RA is the resulting inflammation in the synovium, or the cell lining of joints. Lupus is characterized by inflammation of connective tissue, and all autoimmune disorders have some type of inflammation going on.
Some of the factors that lead to leaky gut include the kind of food you eat, pharmaceutical drugs including antibiotics that affect the gut lining, chronic stress, toxins and dental health. There has long been an established link between gut health and RA. One of the best places to start is in your mouth. A Swedish scientific study suggests that poor gum health is a trigger for RA, and a recent meta-analysis discovered that RA patients are 13% more likely to have gum disease than are patients without arthritis (source: rheumatologyadvisor.com). So see your dentist to clear up dental or gum infections ASAP if you’re dealing with ANY autoimmune issues!
Purge Parasites
Parasites are the missing diagnosis in many chronic health problems, including inflammatory conditions such as RA. A compromised immune system simply cannot do its job of fending off these opportunistic invaders, and most physicians don’t suspect or recognize the role they play in autoimmune disorders.
When researching the synovial fluid in RA patients’ joints, Roger Wyburn-Mason, M.D., Ph.D., a renowned British physician and protozoologist, discovered amoebic infection was the underlying cause of inflammation. Identifying and treating any specific parasitic infections in your system is crucial.
Stomach the Good Stuff
Last but by no means least, RA and other autoimmune disorders may be directly related to a deficiency in stomach acid. Although not found in 100% of autoimmune cases, over 50% of those diagnosed in studies have a common thread – a dysfunction of the upper GI tract caused by a lack of, or deficiency in, HCL (hydrochloric acid). Prolonged chronic stress, parasite infections, less-than-healthy dietary habits and the aging process can all lead to low levels of HCL.
Dr. Jonathan Wright, M.D., an author and friend for whom I have great respect, found while working with thousands of patients over several decades in his Tahoma Clinic, that those suffering with diseases like RA, chronic fatigue, type 1 diabetes, osteoporosis, depression and more – all had one thing in common – low stomach acid. By restoring normal gastric function with safe, natural supplements, his patients were able to improve or even eliminate their symptoms with no dangerous side effects.
The Fix
To Rule Out Possible Dental Infections:
I recommend finding a holistic dentist in your area by contacting The International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine.
To Rule Out Possible Parasites:
I recommend Uni Key Health’s Parasite Flexi-Test, or for an even more comprehensive tool, the Expanded GI Panel. I worked with world-renowned parasitologists to find the most comprehensive testing available for my clients in the privacy of their own homes. Stool and saliva samples are collected and then sent to our trusted lab.
After I review the results, you will receive a comprehensive, personalized letter of recommendations and test results which may include natural anti-parasite herbal formulas, nutritional supplements, diet, and lifestyle changes to facilitate your healing.
To Rule Out Possible Low Gastric Acidity:
I recommend HCL+2. This inexpensive supplement provides quick delivery and absorption of HCL with pepsin and ox bile to promote digestion of protein, fat, and the acid-based minerals calcium, magnesium, and iron. It works to promote a healthy microbiome as a first line of defense against harmful bacteria, yeast, parasites and other harmful pathogens in the GI tract while neutralizing byproducts of drugs and toxins.
