Autoimmune diseases have skyrocketed in the last 2 decades.
A recent study showed how to naturally reduce these by 30%!
Chances are you know someone suffering with one of the following 9 conditions:
1) Rheumatoid Arthritis
2) Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
3) Psoriasis
THREAD x.com
A recent study showed how to naturally reduce these by 30%!
Chances are you know someone suffering with one of the following 9 conditions:
1) Rheumatoid Arthritis
2) Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
3) Psoriasis
THREAD x.com
4) Multiple Sclerosis
5) Vitiligo
6) Lupus
7) Celiac Disease
8) Type 1 Diabetes
9) Polymyalgia Rheumatica
10) And More!
These diseases not only decrease the quality of life for the individual...
5) Vitiligo
6) Lupus
7) Celiac Disease
8) Type 1 Diabetes
9) Polymyalgia Rheumatica
10) And More!
These diseases not only decrease the quality of life for the individual...
... but they also put a financial burden on the person due to the healthcare of managing the disease.
And if you have 1 autoimmune disease, there is about a 25% chance you will have a 2nd autoimmune disease.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
And if you have 1 autoimmune disease, there is about a 25% chance you will have a 2nd autoimmune disease.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
But why such an increase in rates over the last 20-30 years?
And why this prevalence of multiple conditions?
Working with my own patients, I believe there are several key reasons.
And why this prevalence of multiple conditions?
Working with my own patients, I believe there are several key reasons.
Even in a recent randomized controlled study, it was shown that there is about a 30% reduction in autoimmune diseases with just 2 key nutrients, versus the placebo alone.
Why isn't this plastered all over the news!?!?
Why isn't this plastered all over the news!?!?
I'll tell you why:
They are inexpensive solutions that address some of the root causes in autoimmune diseases. And there is not enough money to be made because nutrients are not able to be patented.
That's the sad reality.
They are inexpensive solutions that address some of the root causes in autoimmune diseases. And there is not enough money to be made because nutrients are not able to be patented.
That's the sad reality.
If you or someone you know is suffering with an autoimmune condition, you'll need to:
1) Educate yourself on root causes (not just symptoms management or blood work management)
2) Take matters into your own hand to vastly improve and, in some cases, cure these conditions.
1) Educate yourself on root causes (not just symptoms management or blood work management)
2) Take matters into your own hand to vastly improve and, in some cases, cure these conditions.
Let’s first discuss the study with the 2 nutrients.
The study consisted of 25,000+ older adults and was done over 5 years.
The study consisted of 25,000+ older adults and was done over 5 years.
The intervention was 2,000 IU’s of Vitamin D and 1,000 mg of Omega-3’s (840 mg of EPA & DHA).
After the 5 years, there was a 30% reduction in autoimmune diseases when compared to the placebo group.
That’s a HUGE decrease!
And from 2 simple nutrients.
After the 5 years, there was a 30% reduction in autoimmune diseases when compared to the placebo group.
That’s a HUGE decrease!
And from 2 simple nutrients.
I’m going to cover the takeaways for you below.
However, if you want to read the details of the BMJ study, you can go here.
bmj.com
However, if you want to read the details of the BMJ study, you can go here.
bmj.com
This study stated:
“Autoimmune diseases [rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune thyroid disease, psoriasis, and all others], are characterized by an inflammatory autoimmune response to self-tissues...”
“Autoimmune diseases [rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune thyroid disease, psoriasis, and all others], are characterized by an inflammatory autoimmune response to self-tissues...”
If you are not aware, autoimmune diseases are chronic inflammation diseases.
Deficiencies of Vitamin D and Omega-3’s are primary causes of chronic inflammation.
Deficiencies of Vitamin D and Omega-3’s are primary causes of chronic inflammation.
In our Industrialized World, these deficiencies are rampant due to our lack of sun exposure & the decrease of these nutrients in our food supply.
It's nearly impossible for your body to properly resolve or regulate inflammation without sufficient intakes of Vitamin D & Omega-3’s
It's nearly impossible for your body to properly resolve or regulate inflammation without sufficient intakes of Vitamin D & Omega-3’s
Specifically, “Vitamin D regulates an array of genes, many involved in inflammation and acquired and innate immune responses.”
This is key when it comes to autoimmune diseases.
This is key when it comes to autoimmune diseases.
I’m going to explain the details a little later.
But know that this is why this study had such a profound decrease in autoimmune diseases.
But know that this is why this study had such a profound decrease in autoimmune diseases.
“Animal and in vitro studies indicate that increased dietary intake of Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit production of C reactive protein and inflammatory cytokines… which promote resolution of inflammation.”
Thankfully, I was made aware of Vitamin D and Omega-3’s dramatic effects on inflammation about 15 years ago.
This is also why I have been supplementing with Vitamin D and Omega-3’s on a daily basis over that time frame.
This is also why I have been supplementing with Vitamin D and Omega-3’s on a daily basis over that time frame.
If you want to properly regulate your inflammation, they are a no-brainer to take in our Industrialized World.
The study also stated:
“A significant interaction was found with time, pointing to an increased effect after longer duration [after 2 yrs] of supplementation.”
The study also stated:
“A significant interaction was found with time, pointing to an increased effect after longer duration [after 2 yrs] of supplementation.”
Again, consistency is key so your body can regulate inflammation appropriately & heal.
Unregulated & unresolved inflammation is not just for autoimmune diseases but is at the root of practically every chronic disease.
Unregulated & unresolved inflammation is not just for autoimmune diseases but is at the root of practically every chronic disease.
And chronic diseases are what ~80% of the American healthcare dollars are spent on.
If you want to decrease what you spend on healthcare, you want to do everything you can to prevent chronic disease.
This means lowering your inflammation.
If you want to decrease what you spend on healthcare, you want to do everything you can to prevent chronic disease.
This means lowering your inflammation.
The study also states:
“The clinical importance of this trial is high because these are well tolerated, non-toxic supplements, and other effective treatments to reduce the incidence of autoimmune diseases are lacking.”
“The clinical importance of this trial is high because these are well tolerated, non-toxic supplements, and other effective treatments to reduce the incidence of autoimmune diseases are lacking.”
Which I would agree with wholeheartedly.
I have seen this to be the case with my patients.
They are a "no brainer" if you want to address the root causes.
I have seen this to be the case with my patients.
They are a "no brainer" if you want to address the root causes.
With Autoimmune Diseases, Why Specifically Is Vitamin D So Important?
In order to regulate inflammation and have a proper immune response, you need regulatory T cells (Tregs).
In order to regulate inflammation and have a proper immune response, you need regulatory T cells (Tregs).
T͟h͟i͟s͟ ͟i͟s͟ ͟i͟m͟p͟o͟r͟t͟a͟n͟t͟:͟
Tregs allow your body to turn away from going into chronic inflammation or an autoimmune condition, and instead responds with a normal inflammation resolving function and immune tolerance.
Tregs allow your body to turn away from going into chronic inflammation or an autoimmune condition, and instead responds with a normal inflammation resolving function and immune tolerance.
Here’s the interesting thing:
The Tregs are run by Vitamin D!
They have Vitamin D receptors on them.
If they don’t have Vitamin D attached to them, they cannot regulate inflammation and they cannot regulate a proper immune response.
The Tregs are run by Vitamin D!
They have Vitamin D receptors on them.
If they don’t have Vitamin D attached to them, they cannot regulate inflammation and they cannot regulate a proper immune response.
𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗗.
Yes, I wrote it twice. It’s that important for you to understand!
Yes, I wrote it twice. It’s that important for you to understand!
Which is why ~99% of autoimmune cases, when tested upon initial diagnosis, have low levels of Vitamin D.
The body literally does not have the essential nutrients it needs for the immune system to function like it should and have a normal immune response.
The body literally does not have the essential nutrients it needs for the immune system to function like it should and have a normal immune response.
This is why over 5 years of this BMJ study, they were able to see a 30% reduction in autoimmune cases.
And this was with only 2,000 IU’s of Vitamin D3 and 840 mg of EPA/DHA (more about optimal dosing later).
And this was with only 2,000 IU’s of Vitamin D3 and 840 mg of EPA/DHA (more about optimal dosing later).
In autoimmune diseases, the “auto” = self
So, with autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system begins to attack itself.
So, with autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system begins to attack itself.
If someone doesn’t have sufficient levels of Vitamin D, they get an overzealous immune response to a pathogen and the body then starts attacking itself through a process called molecular mimicry.
Then the autoimmune disease ensues in their body.
Then the autoimmune disease ensues in their body.
However, those who have sufficient Vitamin D levels have significantly lower rates of autoimmune diseases because they respond with a normal immune response that does not become overzealous.
Again, you must have sufficient Vitamin D levels to regulate inflammation & immune responses properly.
That's the third time I've wrote it 😉
It's human physiology. There is no way around it.
That's the third time I've wrote it 😉
It's human physiology. There is no way around it.
Now some of you might have thought, “What is the pathogen that the body is responding to with an overzealous immune response?”
Ahhhh, now you’re thinking!
Let me explain.
Ahhhh, now you’re thinking!
Let me explain.
When you intake food, your digestive system is supposed to break down proteins before you absorb the nutrients.
Think of proteins as big Lego structures.
Think of proteins as big Lego structures.
Just like a big Lego structure is made up of individual Legos, the proteins you consume are made up of amino acids.
So, in healthy gut function you should break proteins down into amino acids (which are smaller molecularly).
So, in healthy gut function you should break proteins down into amino acids (which are smaller molecularly).
Then those amino acids can pass through your gut wall, be absorbed into your blood stream and your body can use them as it needs to.
However, primarily due to altered gut microbiomes and increased inflammation, for some individuals those proteins are not getting broken down.
However, primarily due to altered gut microbiomes and increased inflammation, for some individuals those proteins are not getting broken down.
The tight junctions in these guts are not “tight” and let protein structures get through the gut wall and into the bloodstream.
Proteins are not supposed to be in your bloodstream.
Proteins are not supposed to be in your bloodstream.
Your immune system notices the protein as a “foreign invader” (aka pathogen) and mounts an immune response.
If there are deficient amounts of Vitamin D in that individuals body, they can have an overzealous immune response as described above.
If there are deficient amounts of Vitamin D in that individuals body, they can have an overzealous immune response as described above.
The body’s own immune system then starts attacking other proteins in the body that look like the protein that has got through the gut wall.
This is called molecular mimicry.
This is called molecular mimicry.
In the case of multiple sclerosis, the body attacks the myelin.
In the case of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the thyroid.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the cartilage in the joints.
And the list goes on.
In the case of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the thyroid.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the cartilage in the joints.
And the list goes on.
There Are 3 Commonly Overlooked Major Root Causes To Autoimmune Diseases
1)Gut Dysfunction
2)Deficient Vitamin D
3)Deficient Omega-3’s
If you want to address these 3 major root issues, you are going to need to take several steps.
1)Gut Dysfunction
2)Deficient Vitamin D
3)Deficient Omega-3’s
If you want to address these 3 major root issues, you are going to need to take several steps.
STEP 1
First, you need to decrease the intake of the foods that create the most inflammation.
The top 3 would be:
•Refined Sugars
•Seed Oils
•Processed Grains
Again, it’s why I suggest eating whole, real food 95%+ of the time.
First, you need to decrease the intake of the foods that create the most inflammation.
The top 3 would be:
•Refined Sugars
•Seed Oils
•Processed Grains
Again, it’s why I suggest eating whole, real food 95%+ of the time.
STEP 2
You need to consume foods high in Vitamin D and Omega-3’s.
You need to consume foods high in Vitamin D and Omega-3’s.
Good food sources of Omega 3’s (DHA and EPA) are:
•Wild Caught Fatty Fish
•High-Quality Fish Oil
•Algae (for vegans)
•Pastured/Organic Eggs
•Grass-fed Whole Milk Products
•Grass-fed & Finished Beef
•Grass-fed & Finished Lamb
•Pastured Pork
•Wild Game Meat
•Wild Caught Fatty Fish
•High-Quality Fish Oil
•Algae (for vegans)
•Pastured/Organic Eggs
•Grass-fed Whole Milk Products
•Grass-fed & Finished Beef
•Grass-fed & Finished Lamb
•Pastured Pork
•Wild Game Meat
Food sources for Omega 3’s (ALA) are:
•Flax Seeds
•Chia Seeds
•Walnuts
•Hemp Seeds
•Flax Seeds
•Chia Seeds
•Walnuts
•Hemp Seeds
Good food sources for Vitamin D:
•Tuna
•Salmon
•Beef liver
•Mackerel
•Fortified milk products
•Fortified coconut milk
•Egg yolks (pastured or organic)
•Mushrooms (morel, shitake, oyster)
•Tuna
•Salmon
•Beef liver
•Mackerel
•Fortified milk products
•Fortified coconut milk
•Egg yolks (pastured or organic)
•Mushrooms (morel, shitake, oyster)
STEP 3
I would highly recommend you also consider supplementing with Vitamin D3 and Omega-3’s.
The study I referenced above used 2,000 IU’s of Vitamin D and 840 mg of EPA/DHA.
I think those are too low and should be higher if you want more of a therapeutic effect.
I would highly recommend you also consider supplementing with Vitamin D3 and Omega-3’s.
The study I referenced above used 2,000 IU’s of Vitamin D and 840 mg of EPA/DHA.
I think those are too low and should be higher if you want more of a therapeutic effect.
In order for the body to properly and optimally function (i.e. regulate inflammation), the Vitamin D Council recommends taking Vitamin D3 daily in the following amounts:
•Healthy children under the age of 1 year- 1,000 IU’s
•Healthy children under the age of 1 year- 1,000 IU’s
•Healthy children over the age of 1 year- 1,000 IU’s per 25 lbs. of body weight
•Healthy adults and adolescents- at least 5,000 IU’s
•Pregnant & lactating mothers- at least 6,000 IU’s
•Healthy adults and adolescents- at least 5,000 IU’s
•Pregnant & lactating mothers- at least 6,000 IU’s
If you are dealing with a condition like an autoimmune disease (not healthy), I think it is wise to take 6,000 IU’s and measure your blood work every 90 days.
You want it in the 70-80’s ng/mL for optimal levels.
You want it in the 70-80’s ng/mL for optimal levels.
For Omega-3’s, multiple studies on various conditions show therapeutic ranges of EPA/DHA to be 1,000-1,600 mg/day.
And in some studies even higher.
And in some studies even higher.
Again, the study I referenced above only used 840 mg of EPA/DHA per day.
I’ve found 1,200-1,600 to be the “sweet spot” for the majority of patients to have therapeutic effects.
I’ve found 1,200-1,600 to be the “sweet spot” for the majority of patients to have therapeutic effects.
Since people always comment or DM and ask, below is what I personally take for both Vitamin D and Omega 3's.
These are also what I use most often with patients.
If you are in the U.S., you can order them and have them shipped directly to your house.
These are also what I use most often with patients.
If you are in the U.S., you can order them and have them shipped directly to your house.
Here’s what I take for Vitamin D3.
In only 3 drops I get 6,000 IU’s
This bottle last 6+ months at that dosage. At 11 cents per day, its a great value!
Accounts are free on Fullscript
us.fullscript.com
In only 3 drops I get 6,000 IU’s
This bottle last 6+ months at that dosage. At 11 cents per day, its a great value!
Accounts are free on Fullscript
us.fullscript.com
For Omega-3’s, I take 2 capsules per day of the below.
It provides me with 1,400 mg of EPA & DHA, and 1,600 mg overall of Omega 3’s …in just 2 capsules!
us.fullscript.com
It provides me with 1,400 mg of EPA & DHA, and 1,600 mg overall of Omega 3’s …in just 2 capsules!
us.fullscript.com
For my vegetarian and vegan patients, I use the following product.
Most vegan/vegetarian Omega 3’s don’t contain EPA.
This one does & you definitely want to have EPA (more anti-inflammatory).
us.fullscript.com
Most vegan/vegetarian Omega 3’s don’t contain EPA.
This one does & you definitely want to have EPA (more anti-inflammatory).
us.fullscript.com
STEP 4
You must heal your gut dysfunction. Besides having an autoimmune condition, the most common signs & symptoms are:
•Pain/Discomfort After Eating
•Gas
•Bloating
•Constipation
•Diarrhea
•Reflux/GERD/Heart Burn
You must heal your gut dysfunction. Besides having an autoimmune condition, the most common signs & symptoms are:
•Pain/Discomfort After Eating
•Gas
•Bloating
•Constipation
•Diarrhea
•Reflux/GERD/Heart Burn
If you need help, you can follow the program I lead patients through in the clinic.
Just like autoimmune diseases have a common root cause of gut dysfunction, so does metabolic dysfunction.
The problems are different, but how to address them remains essentially the same.
Just like autoimmune diseases have a common root cause of gut dysfunction, so does metabolic dysfunction.
The problems are different, but how to address them remains essentially the same.
The 90-Day program is the catalyst to make drastic changes.
You can learn more about it here.
drbphealth.com
You can learn more about it here.
drbphealth.com
And for those with autoimmune disease, what I teach and lead you to do in the above program, you’ll want to continue with beyond the 90 days.
While a lot can be accomplished in 90 days, it takes time & consistency in order to fully heal.
While a lot can be accomplished in 90 days, it takes time & consistency in order to fully heal.
Just like consistency with the supplements improves outcomes over a longer time, same with following the program beyond the initial 90 days.
So, stay consistent and give your body the right environment to heal.
So, stay consistent and give your body the right environment to heal.
Your Actionable Steps This Week
If you want to improve your autoimmune disease (or prevent one), you MUST make sure that you have sufficient Omega-3 essential fatty acids and Vitamin D.
If you want to improve your autoimmune disease (or prevent one), you MUST make sure that you have sufficient Omega-3 essential fatty acids and Vitamin D.
Begin getting both in your diet.
Get outside for more Vitamin D.
Consider supplementing with the above links, if needed.
Get outside for more Vitamin D.
Consider supplementing with the above links, if needed.
Lastly, work on improving your gut health. Follow the 90-day plan above if you need step-by-step guidance.
Give it time & be consistent.
Your body does have an amazing ability to heal, if you give it the right environment….for a long enough time period.
Give it time & be consistent.
Your body does have an amazing ability to heal, if you give it the right environment….for a long enough time period.
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