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