| a condition that affects 24 million Americans – | | | | function optimally, like whole, clean food, nutrients, |
| and its incidence has tripled in the last few decades. | | | | exercise, stress management, clean water and |
| It affects more women that breast cancer and heart | | | | oxygen, community, connection, and meaning. |
| disease combined. | | | | And the results are stunning. |
| And it just may be caused by the huge burden of | | | | One of my patients was just 42 but could barely |
| environmental toxins that surround us. | | | | function. She suffered from psoriasis and related |
| What am I talking about? | | | | arthritis. After eliminating gluten and other food |
| It’s autoimmune disease. | | | | allergens, removing heavy metals, and balancing her |
| Most of us know the most common autoimmune | | | | immune system, she has lost 30 pounds and is |
| diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple | | | | completely free of pain and psoriasis. |
| sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, type-1 | | | | Another man suffered for years with the bloody |
| diabetes, hypothyroidism, and psoriasis. | | | | diarrhea and pain of ulcerative colitis – until he |
| But there are actually more than 100 different | | | | removed the mercury and other toxins from his |
| autoimmune conditions, which can affect different | | | | body. |
| bodily systems. These conditions occur when the | | | | And a recent patient with debilitating fatigue from |
| body’s immune system attacks its own | | | | multiple sclerosis got nearly complete relief of her |
| tissues rather than a foreign molecule like bacteria. | | | | symptoms after she had the mercury fillings |
| Swimming in a Toxic Soup | | | | removed from her teeth and went on a |
| Although autoimmune disease can have many causes, | | | | comprehensive detoxification program. |
| toxins may be the most important. | | | | But this hasn’t just helped my patients. |
| You can read more about this issue in Donna Jackson | | | | It’s helped my family, too. |
| Nakazawa’s groundbreaking new book, The | | | | I had chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition that has |
| Autoimmune Epidemic. | | | | autoimmune features. Once I addressed my mercury |
| Fueled by her own struggle with autoimmune disease, | | | | poisoning, my chronic fatigue and autoimmune |
| Donna identifies environmental toxins, which she | | | | problems improved. |
| terms “autogens” – foreign | | | | My wife developed debilitating autoimmunity with |
| compounds that create an “auto” | | | | joint pain and fatigue. Getting rid of the heavy metals |
| reaction against the self – as the true cause | | | | in her body with an intensive detoxification program |
| of autoimmunity. | | | | cured her, too. |
| In his foreword to Donna’s book, Dr. Douglas | | | | You can do it, too! |
| Kerr, M.D., Ph.D., a professor at Johns Hopkins School | | | | If you or a loved one has an autoimmune condition, |
| of Medicine, says that “there is no doubt that | | | | try these tips: |
| autoimmune diseases are on the rise and our | | | | • Read The Autoimmune Epidemic to learn |
| increasing environmental exposure to toxins and | | | | why we have this problem, and how to fix it |
| chemicals is fueling the risk. The research is sound. | | | | • Find a Functional Medicine doctor who can |
| The conclusions, unassailable.” | | | | help you address autoimmunity |
| It’s no wonder. | | | | • Come see us for an appointment at the |
| We are exposed to astounding amounts of toxic | | | | UltraWellness Center in Lenox, Massachusetts |
| chemicals. | | | | • Get tested for mercury and other heavy |
| A recent government survey (“National | | | | metals |
| Report on Human Exposure to Environmental | | | | • Get tested for celiac disease (an |
| Chemicals” issued in July 2005) found an | | | | autoimmune reaction to wheat and other |
| average of 148 chemicals in our bodies. | | | | gluten-containing grains), which causes over 60 |
| Other research has found 287 industrial chemicals in | | | | autoimmune diseases |
| the umbilical blood of infants, including pesticides, | | | | • Take immune-balancing nutrients and |
| phthalates, dioxins, flame-retardants, Teflon, and | | | | supplements, including vitamin D, essential fats (like |
| toxic metals like mercury. | | | | EPA/DHA and GLA), and probiotics |
| A Better Approach to Autoimmunity | | | | • Practice deep relaxation daily through yoga, |
| This toxic chemical soup clearly has dire effects on | | | | meditation, biofeedback, or anything that reverses |
| our health. But conventional doctors don’t | | | | the stress response |
| address this when treating autoimmunity. | | | | • Practice the precautionary principle, which |
| Instead, they prescribe heavy-duty drugs like | | | | says that we should avoid anything with the potential |
| anti-inflammatories, steroids like prednisone, | | | | for harm. In the US, something has to be proven |
| anti-cancer drugs like methotrexate, and new drugs | | | | harmful before it is taken off the market. In Europe, |
| like Enbrel and Remicade that block the effects of a | | | | something has to be proven safe before it is allowed |
| powerful inflammatory molecule called TNF alpha. | | | | on the market. This is also known as “better |
| These drugs may help in the short term – but | | | | safe than sorry.” |
| they can have serious side effects and don’t | | | | • Learn how to boost your body’s |
| address the root cause of autoimmunity. | | | | own detoxification system. |
| I take a different approach with my patients. I tackle | | | | Remember, by addressing the root causes of |
| the underlying causes of autoimmune disease, such | | | | autoimmune disease, you can start feeling better and |
| as allergens, poor diet, toxins, infections, and stress. | | | | getting well – today. |
| Then I add back the things the body needs to | | | | |