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.
----------------------------------------------------
Mark Hyman, MD is a pioneer in functional medicine,
practicing physician and best-selling author. A sneak
preview of his book "The UltraSimple Diet" is available.
See The UltraWellness Blog for more on Autoimmune Disease:
http://www.ultrawellness.com/blog/
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