95% of the good microbes in your body are in your gut. When in balance, these tiny organisms work together with your body to support many important systems, such as your immune system. In fact, 70-80% of your immune cells are in your gut! The tiny ecosystem of microbes in your stomach and intestines is known as your “gut microbiome”.
A problem occurs when the good microbes are overpowered by bad microbes. This creates a state of imbalance known as “gut dysbiosis”. Since your gut microbiome is so essential to the proper functioning of many of your body’s systems, gut dysbiosis is linked to various diseases- even brain diseases- such as:
Type 2 diabetes
Inflammatory bowel disease
Alzheimer’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
What affects your gut microbiota? Stress, alcohol, certain foods, the use of antibiotics can all harm the good microbes in your gut, leading to gut dysbiosis. Gut dysbiosis can also cause inflammation, which can lead to what we call “leaky gut”.
The lining of your intestines is important for keeping most material inside your gut, while also letting things like water and nutrients be absorbed through it. In order to let certain things through the barrier, your intestine lining has to be somewhat permeable by having gaps between cells. However, when the gaps become too big due to inflammation, bigger particles can seep through. This is how leaky gut starts.
Food particles that escape your intestinal lining cause more inflammation. This is why leaky gut can is linked to inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The backbone of our immune system lies in our gut. When we have gut dysbiosis, leaky gut, and inflammation, our immune system can become dysregulated. This leads to a loss of tolerance for certain foods, environmental substances such as chemicals, and eventually our own cells.
3 Red Flags for Leaky Gut
Food sensitivities
Environmental sensitivities
Autoimmune disease
Healing Leaky Gut With Functional Medicine
As a functional medicine office, our focus is to dig deeper and address chronic health concerns by getting to the root cause. Because leaky gut is often the root cause of most inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases, our care is very gut-focused.
One of the most common questions asked in the natural health community is, “How do I fix my gut?” The problem is that this is not exactly a one-size-fits-all situation! Our personalized plans are designed to find and remove your specific triggers, which are not the same for everyone.
Probiotics
Since gut dysbiosis is a factor contributing to leaky gut, it is beneficial to add healthy bacteria back into the gut to “take up parking spots” and out-compete bad bacteria. Dr. Ian Hollaman uses advanced GI testing to identify exactly which strains of probiotics will be most beneficial for each patient.
Sometimes, before adding in good bacteria, the gut needs to be cleared of an infection, or overgrowth, of bad bacteria. Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a difficult monster to tackle, but we have successfully helped many of our patients get it under control.
Prebiotics
Eating a fiber-rich diet gives the good bacteria in your gut plenty of good food! This is another way to help their populations grow.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols are antioxidants that help reduce stress on your body’s cells, therefore reducing inflammation. A recent study found that eating a polyphenol-rich diet for 8 weeks helped change the gut microbiota and therefore reduced intestinal permeability (aka leaky gut). This study used polyphenols from cocoa and green tea.
Dr. Ian’s proprietary supplement ImmunoXym contains caffeine-free green tea extract for its polyphenol content along with a specially formulated blend of probiotics and a slew of other vitamins essential for your immune system to regulate itself.
Glutamine
Glutamine supplementation has been shown to dramatically and safely reduce symptoms in IBS patients that have leaky gut.
The Dr. Autoimmune Difference
At Dr. Autoimmune, we use a functional medicine approach to address the root cause of leaky gut and all other gut issues. Our solutions are always natural, always personalized, and always backed by science. If you are ready to change your life, click the “Start Your Journey” button at the bottom of this page!
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is joint inflammation in children 16 years of age or younger, lasting for at least 6 weeks. Unlike adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that is chronic and can last a lifetime without proper diagnosis or intervention, children usually outgrow JIA. But do they really?
JIA is…drum roll please…an autoimmune disease. Children with predisposed genes, such as a part of a gene called HLA antigen DR4, could be at a higher risk for developing JIA. Even if the symptoms of JIA subside, the risk of developing an autoimmune condition later in life is probable. All autoimmune conditions can be connected to “leaky gut”, a problem where the gut barrier breaks down and inflammation begins to trigger an autoimmune response. Even if your child does not have gut-related symptoms, it is quite common that those with JIA have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, undergrowth, or other infectious bugs that must be brought under control with proper evaluation and support.
There is evidence that early exposure to antibiotics and compromised gut health could be contributing factors. Additional studies support the connection between JIA, type 1 diabetes, food allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBS). Infants who were born vaginally vs. by c-section tend to have more Bifidobacterium in their gut, which is associated with a strong immune response. Nursed infants also have higher levels of this same beneficial bacteria in addition to Lactobacilli and Streptococci. Bottle-fed infants could be lacking these healthy bacteria, and may be at increased risk of developing an autoimmune disease.
Systemic onset JIA affects one or more joints, combined with high fever and a skin rash. It may also cause inflammation of internal organs, including the heart, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. It is the least common type. It affects 1 in 10 to about 1 in 7 children with JIA.
Oligoarticular JIA affects 1 to 4 joints in the first 6 months of disease. If no more joints are affected after 6 months, this type is called persistent. If more joints are affected after 6 months, it is called extended.
Polyarticular JIA affects 5 or more joints in the first 6 months of disease. Blood tests for rheumatoid factor (RF) will show if this type is RF-positive or RF-negative.
Enthesitis-related JIA is arthritis and swelling of the tissue where bone meets a tendon or ligament. It often affects the hips, knees, and feet.
Psoriatic arthritis may have both arthritis and a red, scaly skin disease called psoriasis. 2 or more of the following symptoms may be present:
Inflammation of a finger or toe
Pits or ridges in fingernails
A first-degree relative with psoriasis
Undifferentiated arthritis is arthritis that has symptoms of 2 or more JIA types above. Or the symptoms might not match any type of JIA.
How do you know if your child may have JIA? A physical exam may not be enough to determine a clear diagnosis. A MRI or X-ray could show the degree of inflammation, and a comprehensive blood panel may show the presence of the substance’s antinuclear antibody (ANA) and rheumatoid factor. These tests can help rule out other diseases. As well, the most significant and accurate marker for rheumatoid arthritis, cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP) should be run.
Functional medicine excels at this aspect of determining the root cause and how to rehab the immune system. If you suspect your child may have juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Dr. Autoimmune can help. Click the “Start Your Journey” button at the bottom of this page or call today to schedule a new patient evaluation with Dr. Ian Hollaman: 303-882-8447, press 0 to speak with Felice.
Discover how eating these foods can get you a healthier gut!
We’ve all experienced these symptoms more than we can count! Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, and the general feeling of blah.
That’s a common feeling after eating a large greasy meal. Or indulging in a rich dessert. Or grabbing a bunch of convenience food when you’re running late.
It’s easy to brush off short-term discomforts from these foods, but daily consumption can lead to long-term gut health problems.
So how can we achieve a healthier gut?
Well, what if I told you that food is the answer to achieving a healthier gut! It’s true, but there’s good food and bad food for your gut!
Healthy food is nature’s medicine as it can ease digestive symptoms and prevent certain conditions.
By adding gut-healthy foods to your diet it’s a lot easier and delicious to achieve a healthier gut than you may realize!
Let’s face it – we sometimes feel too busy to go searching for healthy food on the go. So we settle on what’s around us.
The problem is, a lot of those ‘quick’ foods contain high sugar, fats, and cholesterol – with limited nutritional values. This leads to inflammation and unbalanced digestive enzymes.
Good & Bad Bacteria
Your gut health depends on the functioning of trillions of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses that occupy your small and large intestines and the rest of your body.
These organisms make up what’s called your microbiome. The microbiome is a delicate system that plays a crucial role in your digestive system, immune system, and production of serotonin.
The microbiome can be aided or weakened by many factors. One of these factors is the food you eat.
In the following paragraphs, we’ll review foods that can restore healthy gut flora. But first, let’s go over why it’s so important that you make adjustments to your eating habits for a healthier gut.
Why we should change what we eat.
In a perfect world, we would eat whatever satisfied us. Our body would easily process the food as it passed through our gut, and then absorb the necessary nutrients while eliminating what we didn’t need through our bowel movements.
However, we don’t live in a perfect world, and some foods can make us feel really lousy over time. Which is why many of us should adjust our diet in order to improve our gut health.
The first step is to eliminate or reduce any processed foods, refined sugars and fats as they’re linked with a higher risk of chronic diseases that can shorten your lifespan.
Making a positive change in your diet not only benefits your gut health, it can also help lower your chances of getting any of the chronic diseases mentioned above.
On top of that, eating with your gut in mind will also help lower your blood pressure, and reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Now that we went over the “why” we should change our eating habits, let’s dig in and go over which foods will help you achieve a much happier and healthier gut!
Sauerkraut
A food often associated with sausage and hearty meals, sauerkraut is actually healthier than one may think.
Due to the fermentation process and the nutritionally dense values of cabbage, sauerkraut is an awesome food for a healthy gut!
In fact, regular consumption of fermented sauerkraut helps to balance good gut bacteria and is also a beneficial treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases and other conditions.
But be careful– not all sauerkraut is the same. Some sauerkraut found in traditional supermarkets can be loaded with sodium. So make sure to check the label when purchasing.
Leafy Greens
Spinach, kale, arugula, and chard are a few examples of leafy greens that are great to achieve a healthy gut lifestyle. The variety of their use is endless, too!
Leafy greens can be added to smoothies, soups, salads, and side dishes to satisfy cravings and appetite.
They’re low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with vitamins and minerals – it’s no wonder leafy greens are the superstars of all healthy food!
The benefits of adding leafy greens to your diet are endless too!
Here are 6 reasons why they are amazing for gut health-
Anti-inflammatory
Loaded with fiber for a healthy microbiota
Maintains healthy blood sugar
Promotes a healthy immune system
Encourages healthy digestive enzymes
Eliminates bloating
Dairy Free Yogurt
Yogurt is great for gut health, but not just any ol’ yogurt! For optimal health benefits, plant-based, dairy-free yogurt is best.
There are many tasty dairy-free yogurt options available that provide a ton of probiotic gut health benefits – without the lactose issues of dairy.
When choosing a dairy-free yogurt, make sure the label contains at least one of these options:
almond milk
cashew milk
soy milk
coconut milk
Plant-based yogurt provides delicious and nutritional options for a healthy gut. Be sure the yogurt you choose isn’t loaded with sugar.
Don’t worry, you can always sweeten it up with some fruit!
How is Yogurt a Probiotic?
Yogurt is a fermented food that increases lactobacilli (good probiotic) and decreases Enterobacteriaceae (inflammation-causing bacteria).
In fact, studies show those who consume yogurt regularly have a healthier gut microbiota (gut habitat) than those who do not eat yogurt.
Further studies also suggest that regular consumption of yogurt is beneficial to those with IBS and other digestive disorders.
It’s easy to see how dairy-free yogurt promotes the gut-healthy lifestyle! So make sure to add some to your next grocery list.
Garlic
A healthier gut isn’t only about probiotics – a healthy gut microbiome requires prebiotics, too.
While there are many prebiotic foods, the health benefits of garlic make it a star performer due to its high inulin (a type of dietary fiber) and non-digestive carbohydrate properties.
These prebiotic properties promote the growth of good bacteria which helps to prevent intestinal diseases.
Garlic is also beneficial for a healthy gut microbiota (gut habitat) due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cancer prevention properties.
Prebiotic foods, like garlic, also contain short-chain fatty acids, which promote gut-health and decrease inflammation in the colon.
You may now wonder, do I need to eat a bowl full of garlic? No, please don’t! All you need to do is add 1 – 2 cloves of raw garlic into a meal per day. In fact, many healthy recipes include garlic cloves already.
It’s a matter of mindfulness.
Nuts
Packed with protein, fiber, and polyphenols, moderate consumption of nuts is fantastic for a healthy-gut life.
Fiber is a key player here, and adding a quarter cup of nuts per day is all that’s needed.
This goes to show a gut-healthy diet includes tasty foods, even ones you’ll go “nuts” over!
Bananas
This is another one that you’ll go “bananas” for! And we mean literally, because bananas are very gut-healthy!
The health benefits of eating bananas really stack up because they provide everything from fiber, to prebiotics, to pectin, to resistant starch- all of which promote a healthy gut!
Not to mention there’s so many different ways to enjoy eating them! They can be used in smoothie recipes, desserts, salads and bread! Or just peel and eat it straight up!
Bonus Tip: Add a banana to your dairy free yogurt for an extra dose of gut-healthiness!
Lentils
Lentils are a plant-based source of protein and fiber, and are an easy way to add prebiotics and antioxidants to your daily nutrition.
Lentils also have resistant starch which slows the digestion of carbohydrates and reduces the risk for gastrointestinal disorders.
Meals that contain lentils are also filling which helps to reduce overeating and indigestion.
Gut Health is Important!
Roughly three million Americans today have been diagnosed with intestinal disorders, including Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
While factors like family history and environment can play a part in health issues, one’s lifestyle and diet play a big role too!
The key takeaway is to eat healthy fermented foods, as well as foods containing fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Remember, healthy eating doesn’t have to be confusing, complicated, or disgusting. All it takes is some education and mindful planning.
Could your gut be affecting your current health problems?
If after reading this you feel like your gut may be playing a role in your current health problems, then it’s time to make an appointment with Dr. Ian Hollaman, aka Dr. Autoimmune!
Contact us today to get started! We’re happy to set up a complimentary 15-minute introductory consultation with Dr. Ian Hollaman himself.
Eating healthy isn’t always enough. We can eat a variety of organic vegetables, fruits, and meats and still be missing out on the macronutrients that these foods deliver. Poor soil health from overcropping leads to less nutrient-dense foods, and our internal gut health may be missing the “good stuff” that helps us absorb and digest these “healthy” food sources.
Your digestive juices include hydrochloric acid (HCL), several enzymes, and a mucus coating that protects the lining of your stomach. Hydrochloric acid helps your body to break down, digest, and absorb nutrients such as protein. It also eliminates bacteria and viruses in the stomach, protecting your body from infection.
Hypochlorhydria is the state of having low stomach acid. This condition can be caused by consuming poor quality, highly processed foods, alcohol or smoking. Normal aging can also be a contributor to decreased hydrochloric acid. For those with hypochlorhydria, supplementing may be the answer to finding the balance for your metabolic system. Taking medications that suppress the symptoms of acid reflux (a symptom of hypochlorhydria) have been shown to contribute to leaky gut. Chronic gastrointestinal complaints are often addressed with medications that often make the bark worse than the bite.
How do you know if you are digesting and absorbing those organic foods that you so carefully cultivate or purchase?
If you have many of the symptoms above, and suspect you may not be utilizing your nutrients effectively, try taking the HCL Challenge described in this link. The basic concept is to take one HCL pill with each meal on day one, 2 with each meal on day 2, 3 with each meal on day 3 and so on. When you reach heartburn within 5 minutes after taking the dose, that will be the point where you want to back off by one pill each meal until you can dismiss the heartburn. Remember that we are all bio-individual and may react differently, so please consult your practitioner if you have any questions or concerns.
HCL-XYM to the Rescue
HCL-XYM is a blend of betaine hydrochloride (HCL) and the three most effective plant-based digestive enzymes: protease, amylase and lipase, in a base of trace minerals. All Dr. Autoimmune clients take HCL-XYM prior to every meal in order to:
help support the body’s natural ability to produce HCL
offer relief from occasional gas, bloating and indigestion
support digestion and absorption
create the proper pH in which protein digestion enzymes work
help to extract vitamin B12 from food
maintain healthy intestinal flora levels
If you suffer from many of these symptoms, HCL-XYM could help support your digestion. Call Dr. Autoimmune to discuss options on how we can get to the root cause of your symptoms at 303-882-8447.
For the month of July, we will be offering HCL-XYM at 15% off retail in office purchases only. Or, you can order online here, enter one-time access code USE777, and use code IAN10 at checkout for 10% off.
See what Dr. Autoimmune suggests eating to support your gut and immune health here.
“The best wealth is health,” said the Roman poet Virgil. You may also have heard, “You can have all of the money in the world, but if you don’t have your health, you have nothing.”
Our most recent health crisis has surely made these quotes true. Mental Health of America has shared some alarming statistics that include:
Nearly 50M or 19.68 % of American adults experienced mental illness in 2019.
4.58% of adults report having serious thoughts of suicide. This has increased every year since 2011-2021.
10.6% or over 2.5 million youth in the U.S. have severe major depression.
11.1% of Americans with a mental health issue are uninsured.
8.1% of children had private health insurance that did not cover mental health services totaling almost 1 million children.
What are Anxiety and Depression?
They are two different conditions, but they commonly occur together. Having the blues occasionally is normal, and everyone experiences anxious feelings at times. These are a common response to a stressful situation. It’s when those feelings become severe or ongoing that you may want to get to the root cause of the trigger. If you or a loved one shows early signs of depression, seek out a practitioner who can help.
1 in 4 people are affected by mental health illness at some point in their life. What and why are these staggering numbers increasing each year?
Research suggests that the microbiome (a community of microorganisms including viruses and bacteria) in your intestines may be related to brain functioning. By this definition, if your gut bugs are out of balance, and/or your intestinal lining permeability is enough to “leak” toxins into your bloodstream—guess where that gunk goes? It travels via your veins, your organs, and straight to your brain. Think of an ice cream headache. News travels fast!
How are the Gut and Brain Connected?
Sometimes referred to as your second brain, the gut communicates with your brain both physically and chemically.
The graphic below shows how your gut health can affect your mental health, or visa versa.
Antibiotics ~Not~ to the Rescue
What happens when you have an infection of any kind and you go to your general practitioner? You have an ear infection from too many summer hours spent in the pool, you get chronic sinus or respiratory infections, strep throat, urinary tract infections, acne, and the list goes on. What do all of these infections have in common besides a weakened immune response? They all are prescribed a 10-day round of antibiotics. Exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics prescribed for the treatment of infectious diseases is one of the most common environmental factors which can affect the microbiome (Mayer et al., 2014).
It’s public knowledge that antibiotic resistance is a real thing. Compounded years of taking these flora destroying medications, along with other environmental factors can contribute to the leaky holes in our gut. In fact, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the US each year.
A study including 5,244 subjects, none with diagnosed or reported anxiety or depression suggests that particularly male children who received antibiotic treatment for an infectious disease, may be at increased risk for future anxiety or depression. The mechanisms behind this outcome due to the disruption of the microbial balance in the gut. More research is needed to determine which, if not both the chicken (the infection) or the egg (the antibiotics) came in first place as the trigger for anxiety and depression.
Inflammation and Depression
70% of our immune system is located in the gut. Maintaining the proper balance of diversity is important so we can fight off infections, possible chronic disease, and psychosocial stressors. Research shows us that those residing in urban areas exposure to inflammatory responses are greater than those who are hunter-gatherers (think Paleo) or have a diverse agricultural-based lifestyle. “You are what you eat” has never been truer.
Go with Your Gut
Probiotics are live bacteria that are similar to the ones that are already in our gut. You can find them in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi. They’re also in supplements. Along with testing, probiotic treatments may provide potential support and preventative measures for depressive and anxiety disorders. Researchers think that probiotics might work by affecting the way the brain and the gut communicate. Not all pre and probiotics are made equal. Talk with Dr. Ian or your practitioner to see which one may be right for you.
If you suffer with anxiety or depression and have a history of antibiotic use, give us a call to schedule a new patient exam at Dr. Autoimmune. We now have remote care options, so wherever you are, you can still receive great care and achieve results.
Your habits influence your attitude, sleep, food cravings…and autoimmunity. Many of you that suspect you may have an autoimmune condition, or have been diagnosed with one, may in fact have two or more lurking within.
Have you noticed that when you eat pleasure-seeking foods such as sweets, alcohol, or caffeine (and for some, Chinese food), you want more of it shortly after you consume them? In an age of sugar-free, Keto, and every diet under the sun, where does real sugar stop and artificial sweeteners start?
Every restaurant table and coffee bar have these colorful, single-serving sized packets screaming at your taste buds, “Hey Sweet Tooth, I’m down here.” A laboratory accident turned popular over 130 years ago and the first super villain, saccharin, made its way into our food chain as a cheap and calorie-free alternative to cane sugar. Originally it was believed to be harmless, but over time, its question of safety rode a rollercoaster between science and industrial priorities.
Celebrities in the the cooking world have nothing good to say about these fake sweeteners. Colleague, close friend, and cookbook editor to Julia Child, Avis DeVoto wrote:
“Desserts, of which there is a fat section, are incredible—sweetened with saccharin [sic] and topped with imitation whipped cream! Fantastic! And I do believe a lot of people in this country eat just like that, stuffing themselves with faked materials in the fond belief that by substituting a chemical for God’s good food they can keep themselves slim while still eating hot breads and desserts and GUNK.”
To say the least, she was not a fan of this fake food and considered saccharin an empty pleasure.
When sugar became scarce during World War II, this diabetic substitute’s production ramped up. Between 1963 and 1967 artificially sweetened soft drinks nearly tripled their market share. By 1979, 44 million Americans used this sickly sweet, zero calorie alternative daily. As you can see by this chart, the rise has not slowed down, and is contributing to the obesity epidemic in America.
Chemical named by brand:
Acesulfame Potassium – Sunnett, Sweet One
Aspartame – Nutrasweet, Equal
Neotame – N/A
Saccharin – Sweet ‘N Low, Sweet Twin, Sugar Twin.
Sucralose – Splenda
Nutrition is among one of the contributing leaders to leaky gut syndrome. When foods are laden with pesticides, chemicals, artificial sweeteners and colors, combined with our nutrient deficient foods, our gut is constantly under attack and is no match for these “gut busting” toxins. If our food sources can not naturally support and feed the good bacteria, the bad bacteria begin to take over. Along with a nutrient dense diet, pharmaceutical grade supplementation has become paramount in therapeutic doses in order to restore our gut balance to tackle our autoimmune risk and conditions.
The sweet taste receptor (T1R3) is activated by artificial sweeteners. At high concentrations, many of the aforementioned chemical compounds were found to increase leaky gut and degrade cell regulation. This can lead to a myriad of issues including insulin resistance and diabetes. Primarily and first most, leaky gut leads to inflammation>symptoms>autoimmunity.
What about the reportedly safe “new age” sweeteners?
Chicory
Coconut sugar
Honey
Maple Syrup
Monk Fruit
Stevia
Although a monumental improvement in the form of nature vs lab, sugar in any form can spike your blood sugar and cause imbalances if consumed frequently (have you heard about devices which monitor your blood sugar?).
Grandma always said, “everything in moderation”. Unlike natural sugars including honey, maple syrup, and coconut sugar, stevia may be the lead in this cast of best choices for a sweet alternative, touting that it remains neutral in your bloodstream, and has a reduced calorie intake and low risk of cavities.
It has been reported that stevia could interfere with good bacteria in the gut, a strain on your kidneys or other organs, and/or possibly lower blood pressure, which could interfere with those on high blood pressure medications. There are always two sides to every story, and there isn’t enough research to conclude its downfalls. Just another reason to see an integrative or functional practitioner to get to the root cause of your tummy troubles.
The bottom line is: eat as close to the farm and whole food as possible. Teach your children at a young age how to read an ingredient label at the grocery store. It’s a fun and educational game that supports awareness around what is actually food, and what are lab experiments. Remember, you are what you eat. Bon Appetit!
Your thyroid is a gland located behind your Adam’s apple. Its job is to produce thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) which are the hormones that control your metabolism. This process of transforming the food you eat into energy can result in (T)erminator-like symptoms where you begin to feel inhuman.
Think of the story of the tortoise and the hare. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is under-producing these hormones and can lead to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hyperthyroidism occurs when too many hormones are being produced and can lead to Graves’ disease. Balance is the key to keeping your body running well.
If you are a woman, you know how much our hormones can take over and drive us either straight and narrow, or straight into a truck depending on stress, menstruation, food or environmental triggers. Men are not immune from thyroid disorders. Women tend to have higher instances with thyroid disorders, generally after menopause. Regardless of gender, autoimmune-related thyroid conditions are on the rise.
An early sign of thyroid irregularity is weight gain or loss. Since your thyroid can control your energy, it’s no wonder your weight can be affected. Rapid weight gain can be an indicator of low thyroid hormone function, while weight loss can be triggered by an overactive thyroid gland.
Fatigue
Just like weight gain, fatigue or excessive tiredness can be a sign of hypothyroidism or low thyroid function.
Brain fog
Thyroid hormones are directly related to the health of your brain neurons. There are only two things that every single cell in the body has a receptor for: thyroid hormones and vitamin D. It’s no wonder that vitamin D status influences thyroid function and your immune system.
Intolerance to heat or cold
Your circulation is affected if your thyroid is not functioning properly. This could present as feeling chilled or cold. If you notice that your hands and feet are particularly cold, this could be a symptom or sign of hypothyroidism. Alternatively, you might always run warm or experience hot flashes.
Poor quality hair skin nail
A slow thyroid can cause dry skin, hair loss,and brittle or ridged nails caused by follicle cycling. Sometimes slow and steady does not always win the race.
Digestive problems
Leaky gut and gastrointestinal discomfort are most often connected to thyroid dysfunction. Constipation is caused by a sluggish metabolism (lower thyroid hormone), while loose stools could be a symptom or a hyperactive thyroid.
Insomnia
When your hormones are out of whack, everything seems to follow suit. Whether your thyroid is over- or under-producing, you can have disrupted sleep from nervousness, be up with frequent urination, or experience night sweats.
Anxiety/depression
Hormones are the major players in mood regulation. They influence the neurotransmitters which cause imbalances in serotonin and dopamine. Thyroid imbalances cause inflammation, and when the hormone production is interrupted, it can affect proper blood flow to the brain.
Changes in your voice
An underactive thyroid can cause thickening of the vocal cords or swelling from the inflammatory changes.
Hormonal fluctuations
Your thyroid can directly affect your sexual function. From irregular periods to difficulty with sexual performance or enjoyment, your thyroid dysfunction may be a contributor.
The Thyroid-Autoimmune Connection
Are you aware that more than 90% of thyroid conditions are autoimmune? Unfortunately, most conventional doctors do not have the education or information about this connection. This can be incredibly frustrating!
What if you are taking thyroid medication but still experiencing these symptoms? Commonly, providers are not taught how to look at chemistry and physiology, but do prescribe medication for your symptoms. We at Dr. Autoimmune addresses the systems that run the symptoms, diagnose your particular imbalances with comprehensive blood chemistry, and create a customized care plan for you!
If you suspect your thyroid is the culprit of any of these symptoms, Dr. Autoimmune can help. We test specifically for all 8 thyroid markers. We have worked with close to 3,000 thyroid clients and have an 85% success rate! Call us at 303-882-8447 or fill out the form below today to see if your thyroid needs support.
As comes Spring, so comes the opportunity to reap the rewards of homegrown deliciousness. This time of year is known for awakening all of the human senses. What better time to feel at one with the green spaces around you?
Spring is the ideal season to start gardening as it helps get your produce and herbs ready for the rest of the year. A home garden is also a perfect way to save money; having fresh veggies and herbs on hand at all times can be expensive. Consider giving yourself the gift of a little -or a big- garden.
Many of the herbs, fruits, and veggies that are AIP-compliant can also be grown indoors or in containers so you don’t need a big yard to do this! Become one with nature this Spring whether that means watering the herbs from the couch or roaming through expansive acreage.
For many people, eating AIP-compliant diets means cooking a lot more at home than they may have been accustomed to previously. Because of the restrictions of this particular protocol, we encourage the use of myriad fresh herbs to bring flavor and interest to your meals.
Easy Herbs to Grow This Spring:
Parsley
The first herb to dabble in is parsley. It’s relatively easy to grow and the yield is high. Parsley is great when you want to make dishes with rich flavors. A lot of Mediterranean dishes are actualized with the use of parsley. Check out Stevie’s grain-free tabbouleh recipe below!
Cilantro
Another herb that is great for AIP dishes is cilantro. It can be grown from the seed or by simply starting with a cilantro plant. Cilantro can survive in many climates so it’s recommended regardless of where you live.
Dill
Dill won’t survive a frost so make sure to plant this herb when the Spring weather becomes more predictable. It does best with full sunlight so keep it outside or near a big sun-facing window. Dill is often under-utilized, but it can really bring life to both vegetable and seafood-based dishes alike.
Basil
Basil is perfect for container gardening and grows extremely well indoors near a sunny window. Like parsley, it also produces a high yield so you can make new friends by sharing some of your extra basil. It goes great with meat, salads, vegetables- the list goes on! Hot tip: make a dairy-free, nut-free pesto with just your homegrown basil, hemp hearts, garlic, salt, and extra virgin olive oil.
Happy Spring and Happy Gardening!
GRAIN-FREE TABBOULEH
Ingredients:
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice
½ tsp sea salt
3 bunches fresh Italian parsley, chopped
1 cup hemp hearts
1 cup riced cauliflower, fresh or frozen
8 green onions, finely diced
¼ cup fresh mint, chopped (optional)
Directions:
If using frozen riced cauliflower, add to a skillet and cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until completely warmed through. Let cool completely before assembling the rest of the salad.
Add olive oil, lemon juice, and salt to a large bowl. Whisk to combine. Add remaining ingredients, toss to coat, and serve.
April is Sjögren’s awareness month, so we thought it would be a great time to shed some light on it. Sjögren’s (pronounced show-grens) syndrome is a common autoimmune condition where moisture-secreting glands are attacked. This usually happens first in the eyes and mouth, so dry eyes and mouth are the most common symptoms.
Other symptoms can include:
Dry eyes
Dry mouth
Vaginal dryness
Dry nose, recurrent sinusitis, nosebleeds
Dry or peeling lips
Dry skin
Fatigue
Joint or muscle pain
Inability to focus or ‘brain fog’
Respiratory issues like shortness of breath, dry cough, or recurrent bronchitis
Anxiety and depression
Memory loss
Dysautonomia
Headaches (most commonly tension-type or migraines)
Sjögren’s syndrome can develop at any age and in any sex, but it is most common in women (9 out of 10 patients are women) and people over 40. It is considered a widely underdiagnosed condition, with the Sjögren’s Foundation estimating that over 2.5 million patients are currently undiagnosed.
The genes associated with Sjögren’s aren’t known yet, but we can’t control those anyway. What we can have some control over, though, is whether those genes are expressed. Our genes basically can be turned on and off with the right environmental factors. This is why gut health and removing triggers are more important than our genes.
In functional medicine, we use diet change and supplementation to heal the gut while working with you to find out possible triggers in your life. Common triggers include stress, viral or bacterial infections, and mold or toxin exposure.
Dry Eyes
One of the first things to occur in Sjögren’s is the glands that produce tears, the lacrimal glands, are attacked by the immune system. You might think that we only produce tears when we cry, but our lacrimal glands are actually always working to keep our eyes moistened.
Have you ever wondered why we blink? Our eyelids keep moisture trapped beneath, so when the part of our eye that is exposed to air starts to dry out, blinking spreads a new film of moisture over them. This method only works, however, when our lacrimal glands are producing moisture.
Dry eyes can lead to burning, itching, a feeling like sand is in the eyes, blurred vision, and difficulty tolerating bright lights. Think back to the last time you were challenged to a “blinking contest”. After some time of forcing your eyes to remain open, your vision starts to become affected and you start to feel a burning sensation. This is what chronic dry eyes associated with Sjögren’s syndrome can feel like.
Dry Mouth
One of the 2 most prominent symptoms, dry mouth is uncomfortable and can lead to dental problems. Along with the lacrimal glands, the salivary glands are the first to be affected. Salivary glands produce saliva, which keeps our mouths and gums moist and also helps with digesting food.
People with Sjögren’s are more likely to develop cavities and gum disease due to lack of moisture, so recommendations include stimulating saliva production with sugar-free (xylitol or maltitol if sugar alcohols are tolerated) lozenges and brushing teeth after every meal. These types of recommendations are only good for managing symptoms without actually addressing the root cause.
What Can You Do?
At Dr. Autoimmune, we are experts at getting to the root cause of your condition and working with you to develop a personalized plan to reach your health goals. Most of our clients notice huge changes within only 30 days. Fill out the form below to get started on your health journey!
Food is medicine. By providing your body with the correct tools, it has the ability to heal itself. Whether you have a diagnosed autoimmune or thyroid condition, or just want to boost your immune system during these trying times, follow this guide to learn how to use food to your advantage!
95% of the good microbes in your body are in your gut. When in balance, these tiny organisms work together with your body to support many important systems, such as your immune system. In fact, 70-80% of your immune cells are in your gut! The tiny ecosystem of microbes in your stomach and intestines is known as your “gut microbiome”.
A problem occurs when the good microbes are overpowered by bad microbes. This creates a state of imbalance known as “gut dysbiosis”. Since your gut microbiome is so essential to the proper functioning of many of your body’s systems, gut dysbiosis is linked to various diseases- even brain diseases- such as:
Type 2 diabetes
Inflammatory bowel disease
Alzheimer’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
What affects your gut microbiota? Stress, alcohol, certain foods, the use of antibiotics can all harm the good microbes in your gut, leading to gut dysbiosis. Gut dysbiosis can also cause inflammation, which can lead to what we call “leaky gut”.
The lining of your intestines is important for keeping most material inside your gut, while also letting things like water and nutrients be absorbed through it. In order to let certain things through the barrier, your intestine lining has to be somewhat permeable by having gaps between cells. However, when the gaps become too big due to inflammation, bigger particles can seep through. This is how leaky gut starts.
Food particles that escape your intestinal lining cause more inflammation. This is why leaky gut can is linked to inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The backbone of our immune system lies in our gut. When we have gut dysbiosis, leaky gut, and inflammation, our immune system can become dysregulated. This leads to a loss of tolerance for certain foods, environmental substances such as chemicals, and eventually our own cells.
3 Red Flags for Leaky Gut
Food sensitivities
Environmental sensitivities
Autoimmune disease
Healing Leaky Gut With Functional Medicine
As a functional medicine office, our focus is to dig deeper and address chronic health concerns by getting to the root cause. Because leaky gut is often the root cause of most inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases, our care is very gut-focused.
One of the most common questions asked in the natural health community is, “How do I fix my gut?” The problem is that this is not exactly a one-size-fits-all situation! Our personalized plans are designed to find and remove your specific triggers, which are not the same for everyone.
Probiotics
Since gut dysbiosis is a factor contributing to leaky gut, it is beneficial to add healthy bacteria back into the gut to “take up parking spots” and out-compete bad bacteria. Dr. Ian Hollaman uses advanced GI testing to identify exactly which strains of probiotics will be most beneficial for each patient.
Sometimes, before adding in good bacteria, the gut needs to be cleared of an infection, or overgrowth, of bad bacteria. Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a difficult monster to tackle, but we have successfully helped many of our patients get it under control.
Prebiotics
Eating a fiber-rich diet gives the good bacteria in your gut plenty of good food! This is another way to help their populations grow.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols are antioxidants that help reduce stress on your body’s cells, therefore reducing inflammation. A recent study found that eating a polyphenol-rich diet for 8 weeks helped change the gut microbiota and therefore reduced intestinal permeability (aka leaky gut). This study used polyphenols from cocoa and green tea.
Dr. Ian’s proprietary supplement ImmunoXym contains caffeine-free green tea extract for its polyphenol content along with a specially formulated blend of probiotics and a slew of other vitamins essential for your immune system to regulate itself.
Glutamine
Glutamine supplementation has been shown to dramatically and safely reduce symptoms in IBS patients that have leaky gut.
The Dr. Autoimmune Difference
At Dr. Autoimmune, we use a functional medicine approach to address the root cause of leaky gut and all other gut issues. Our solutions are always natural, always personalized, and always backed by science. If you are ready to change your life, click the “Start Your Journey” button at the bottom of this page!
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is joint inflammation in children 16 years of age or younger, lasting for at least 6 weeks. Unlike adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that is chronic and can last a lifetime without proper diagnosis or intervention, children usually outgrow JIA. But do they really?
JIA is…drum roll please…an autoimmune disease. Children with predisposed genes, such as a part of a gene called HLA antigen DR4, could be at a higher risk for developing JIA. Even if the symptoms of JIA subside, the risk of developing an autoimmune condition later in life is probable. All autoimmune conditions can be connected to “leaky gut”, a problem where the gut barrier breaks down and inflammation begins to trigger an autoimmune response. Even if your child does not have gut-related symptoms, it is quite common that those with JIA have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, undergrowth, or other infectious bugs that must be brought under control with proper evaluation and support.
There is evidence that early exposure to antibiotics and compromised gut health could be contributing factors. Additional studies support the connection between JIA, type 1 diabetes, food allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBS). Infants who were born vaginally vs. by c-section tend to have more Bifidobacterium in their gut, which is associated with a strong immune response. Nursed infants also have higher levels of this same beneficial bacteria in addition to Lactobacilli and Streptococci. Bottle-fed infants could be lacking these healthy bacteria, and may be at increased risk of developing an autoimmune disease.
Systemic onset JIA affects one or more joints, combined with high fever and a skin rash. It may also cause inflammation of internal organs, including the heart, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. It is the least common type. It affects 1 in 10 to about 1 in 7 children with JIA.
Oligoarticular JIA affects 1 to 4 joints in the first 6 months of disease. If no more joints are affected after 6 months, this type is called persistent. If more joints are affected after 6 months, it is called extended.
Polyarticular JIA affects 5 or more joints in the first 6 months of disease. Blood tests for rheumatoid factor (RF) will show if this type is RF-positive or RF-negative.
Enthesitis-related JIA is arthritis and swelling of the tissue where bone meets a tendon or ligament. It often affects the hips, knees, and feet.
Psoriatic arthritis may have both arthritis and a red, scaly skin disease called psoriasis. 2 or more of the following symptoms may be present:
Inflammation of a finger or toe
Pits or ridges in fingernails
A first-degree relative with psoriasis
Undifferentiated arthritis is arthritis that has symptoms of 2 or more JIA types above. Or the symptoms might not match any type of JIA.
How do you know if your child may have JIA? A physical exam may not be enough to determine a clear diagnosis. A MRI or X-ray could show the degree of inflammation, and a comprehensive blood panel may show the presence of the substance’s antinuclear antibody (ANA) and rheumatoid factor. These tests can help rule out other diseases. As well, the most significant and accurate marker for rheumatoid arthritis, cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP) should be run.
Functional medicine excels at this aspect of determining the root cause and how to rehab the immune system. If you suspect your child may have juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Dr. Autoimmune can help. Click the “Start Your Journey” button at the bottom of this page or call today to schedule a new patient evaluation with Dr. Ian Hollaman: 303-882-8447, press 0 to speak with Felice.
Discover how eating these foods can get you a healthier gut!
We’ve all experienced these symptoms more than we can count! Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, and the general feeling of blah.
That’s a common feeling after eating a large greasy meal. Or indulging in a rich dessert. Or grabbing a bunch of convenience food when you’re running late.
It’s easy to brush off short-term discomforts from these foods, but daily consumption can lead to long-term gut health problems.
So how can we achieve a healthier gut?
Well, what if I told you that food is the answer to achieving a healthier gut! It’s true, but there’s good food and bad food for your gut!
Healthy food is nature’s medicine as it can ease digestive symptoms and prevent certain conditions.
By adding gut-healthy foods to your diet it’s a lot easier and delicious to achieve a healthier gut than you may realize!
Let’s face it – we sometimes feel too busy to go searching for healthy food on the go. So we settle on what’s around us.
The problem is, a lot of those ‘quick’ foods contain high sugar, fats, and cholesterol – with limited nutritional values. This leads to inflammation and unbalanced digestive enzymes.
Good & Bad Bacteria
Your gut health depends on the functioning of trillions of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses that occupy your small and large intestines and the rest of your body.
These organisms make up what’s called your microbiome. The microbiome is a delicate system that plays a crucial role in your digestive system, immune system, and production of serotonin.
The microbiome can be aided or weakened by many factors. One of these factors is the food you eat.
In the following paragraphs, we’ll review foods that can restore healthy gut flora. But first, let’s go over why it’s so important that you make adjustments to your eating habits for a healthier gut.
Why we should change what we eat.
In a perfect world, we would eat whatever satisfied us. Our body would easily process the food as it passed through our gut, and then absorb the necessary nutrients while eliminating what we didn’t need through our bowel movements.
However, we don’t live in a perfect world, and some foods can make us feel really lousy over time. Which is why many of us should adjust our diet in order to improve our gut health.
The first step is to eliminate or reduce any processed foods, refined sugars and fats as they’re linked with a higher risk of chronic diseases that can shorten your lifespan.
Making a positive change in your diet not only benefits your gut health, it can also help lower your chances of getting any of the chronic diseases mentioned above.
On top of that, eating with your gut in mind will also help lower your blood pressure, and reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Now that we went over the “why” we should change our eating habits, let’s dig in and go over which foods will help you achieve a much happier and healthier gut!
Sauerkraut
A food often associated with sausage and hearty meals, sauerkraut is actually healthier than one may think.
Due to the fermentation process and the nutritionally dense values of cabbage, sauerkraut is an awesome food for a healthy gut!
In fact, regular consumption of fermented sauerkraut helps to balance good gut bacteria and is also a beneficial treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases and other conditions.
But be careful– not all sauerkraut is the same. Some sauerkraut found in traditional supermarkets can be loaded with sodium. So make sure to check the label when purchasing.
Leafy Greens
Spinach, kale, arugula, and chard are a few examples of leafy greens that are great to achieve a healthy gut lifestyle. The variety of their use is endless, too!
Leafy greens can be added to smoothies, soups, salads, and side dishes to satisfy cravings and appetite.
They’re low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with vitamins and minerals – it’s no wonder leafy greens are the superstars of all healthy food!
The benefits of adding leafy greens to your diet are endless too!
Here are 6 reasons why they are amazing for gut health-
Anti-inflammatory
Loaded with fiber for a healthy microbiota
Maintains healthy blood sugar
Promotes a healthy immune system
Encourages healthy digestive enzymes
Eliminates bloating
Dairy Free Yogurt
Yogurt is great for gut health, but not just any ol’ yogurt! For optimal health benefits, plant-based, dairy-free yogurt is best.
There are many tasty dairy-free yogurt options available that provide a ton of probiotic gut health benefits – without the lactose issues of dairy.
When choosing a dairy-free yogurt, make sure the label contains at least one of these options:
almond milk
cashew milk
soy milk
coconut milk
Plant-based yogurt provides delicious and nutritional options for a healthy gut. Be sure the yogurt you choose isn’t loaded with sugar.
Don’t worry, you can always sweeten it up with some fruit!
How is Yogurt a Probiotic?
Yogurt is a fermented food that increases lactobacilli (good probiotic) and decreases Enterobacteriaceae (inflammation-causing bacteria).
In fact, studies show those who consume yogurt regularly have a healthier gut microbiota (gut habitat) than those who do not eat yogurt.
Further studies also suggest that regular consumption of yogurt is beneficial to those with IBS and other digestive disorders.
It’s easy to see how dairy-free yogurt promotes the gut-healthy lifestyle! So make sure to add some to your next grocery list.
Garlic
A healthier gut isn’t only about probiotics – a healthy gut microbiome requires prebiotics, too.
While there are many prebiotic foods, the health benefits of garlic make it a star performer due to its high inulin (a type of dietary fiber) and non-digestive carbohydrate properties.
These prebiotic properties promote the growth of good bacteria which helps to prevent intestinal diseases.
Garlic is also beneficial for a healthy gut microbiota (gut habitat) due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cancer prevention properties.
Prebiotic foods, like garlic, also contain short-chain fatty acids, which promote gut-health and decrease inflammation in the colon.
You may now wonder, do I need to eat a bowl full of garlic? No, please don’t! All you need to do is add 1 – 2 cloves of raw garlic into a meal per day. In fact, many healthy recipes include garlic cloves already.
It’s a matter of mindfulness.
Nuts
Packed with protein, fiber, and polyphenols, moderate consumption of nuts is fantastic for a healthy-gut life.
Fiber is a key player here, and adding a quarter cup of nuts per day is all that’s needed.
This goes to show a gut-healthy diet includes tasty foods, even ones you’ll go “nuts” over!
Bananas
This is another one that you’ll go “bananas” for! And we mean literally, because bananas are very gut-healthy!
The health benefits of eating bananas really stack up because they provide everything from fiber, to prebiotics, to pectin, to resistant starch- all of which promote a healthy gut!
Not to mention there’s so many different ways to enjoy eating them! They can be used in smoothie recipes, desserts, salads and bread! Or just peel and eat it straight up!
Bonus Tip: Add a banana to your dairy free yogurt for an extra dose of gut-healthiness!
Lentils
Lentils are a plant-based source of protein and fiber, and are an easy way to add prebiotics and antioxidants to your daily nutrition.
Lentils also have resistant starch which slows the digestion of carbohydrates and reduces the risk for gastrointestinal disorders.
Meals that contain lentils are also filling which helps to reduce overeating and indigestion.
Gut Health is Important!
Roughly three million Americans today have been diagnosed with intestinal disorders, including Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
While factors like family history and environment can play a part in health issues, one’s lifestyle and diet play a big role too!
The key takeaway is to eat healthy fermented foods, as well as foods containing fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Remember, healthy eating doesn’t have to be confusing, complicated, or disgusting. All it takes is some education and mindful planning.
Could your gut be affecting your current health problems?
If after reading this you feel like your gut may be playing a role in your current health problems, then it’s time to make an appointment with Dr. Ian Hollaman, aka Dr. Autoimmune!
Eating healthy isn’t always enough. We can eat a variety of organic vegetables, fruits, and meats and still be missing out on the macronutrients that these foods deliver. Poor soil health from overcropping leads to less nutrient-dense foods, and our internal gut health may be missing the “good stuff” that helps us absorb and digest these “healthy” food sources.
Your digestive juices include hydrochloric acid (HCL), several enzymes, and a mucus coating that protects the lining of your stomach. Hydrochloric acid helps your body to break down, digest, and absorb nutrients such as protein. It also eliminates bacteria and viruses in the stomach, protecting your body from infection.
Hypochlorhydria is the state of having low stomach acid. This condition can be caused by consuming poor quality, highly processed foods, alcohol or smoking. Normal aging can also be a contributor to decreased hydrochloric acid. For those with hypochlorhydria, supplementing may be the answer to finding the balance for your metabolic system. Taking medications that suppress the symptoms of acid reflux (a symptom of hypochlorhydria) have been shown to contribute to leaky gut. Chronic gastrointestinal complaints are often addressed with medications that often make the bark worse than the bite.
How do you know if you are digesting and absorbing those organic foods that you so carefully cultivate or purchase?
If you have many of the symptoms above, and suspect you may not be utilizing your nutrients effectively, try taking the HCL Challenge described in this link. The basic concept is to take one HCL pill with each meal on day one, 2 with each meal on day 2, 3 with each meal on day 3 and so on. When you reach heartburn within 5 minutes after taking the dose, that will be the point where you want to back off by one pill each meal until you can dismiss the heartburn. Remember that we are all bio-individual and may react differently, so please consult your practitioner if you have any questions or concerns.
HCL-XYM to the Rescue
HCL-XYM is a blend of betaine hydrochloride (HCL) and the three most effective plant-based digestive enzymes: protease, amylase and lipase, in a base of trace minerals. All Dr. Autoimmune clients take HCL-XYM prior to every meal in order to:
help support the body’s natural ability to produce HCL
offer relief from occasional gas, bloating and indigestion
support digestion and absorption
create the proper pH in which protein digestion enzymes work
help to extract vitamin B12 from food
maintain healthy intestinal flora levels
If you suffer from many of these symptoms, HCL-XYM could help support your digestion. Call Dr. Autoimmune to discuss options on how we can get to the root cause of your symptoms at 303-882-8447.
For the month of July, we will be offering HCL-XYM at 15% off retail in office purchases only. Or, you can order online here, enter one-time access code USE777, and use code IAN10 at checkout for 10% off.
See what Dr. Autoimmune suggests eating to support your gut and immune health here.
“The best wealth is health,” said the Roman poet Virgil. You may also have heard, “You can have all of the money in the world, but if you don’t have your health, you have nothing.”
Our most recent health crisis has surely made these quotes true. Mental Health of America has shared some alarming statistics that include:
Nearly 50M or 19.68 % of American adults experienced mental illness in 2019.
4.58% of adults report having serious thoughts of suicide. This has increased every year since 2011-2021.
10.6% or over 2.5 million youth in the U.S. have severe major depression.
11.1% of Americans with a mental health issue are uninsured.
8.1% of children had private health insurance that did not cover mental health services totaling almost 1 million children.
What are Anxiety and Depression?
They are two different conditions, but they commonly occur together. Having the blues occasionally is normal, and everyone experiences anxious feelings at times. These are a common response to a stressful situation. It’s when those feelings become severe or ongoing that you may want to get to the root cause of the trigger. If you or a loved one shows early signs of depression, seek out a practitioner who can help.
1 in 4 people are affected by mental health illness at some point in their life. What and why are these staggering numbers increasing each year?
Research suggests that the microbiome (a community of microorganisms including viruses and bacteria) in your intestines may be related to brain functioning. By this definition, if your gut bugs are out of balance, and/or your intestinal lining permeability is enough to “leak” toxins into your bloodstream—guess where that gunk goes? It travels via your veins, your organs, and straight to your brain. Think of an ice cream headache. News travels fast!
How are the Gut and Brain Connected?
Sometimes referred to as your second brain, the gut communicates with your brain both physically and chemically.
The graphic below shows how your gut health can affect your mental health, or visa versa.
Antibiotics ~Not~ to the Rescue
What happens when you have an infection of any kind and you go to your general practitioner? You have an ear infection from too many summer hours spent in the pool, you get chronic sinus or respiratory infections, strep throat, urinary tract infections, acne, and the list goes on. What do all of these infections have in common besides a weakened immune response? They all are prescribed a 10-day round of antibiotics. Exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics prescribed for the treatment of infectious diseases is one of the most common environmental factors which can affect the microbiome (Mayer et al., 2014).
It’s public knowledge that antibiotic resistance is a real thing. Compounded years of taking these flora destroying medications, along with other environmental factors can contribute to the leaky holes in our gut. In fact, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the US each year.
A study including 5,244 subjects, none with diagnosed or reported anxiety or depression suggests that particularly male children who received antibiotic treatment for an infectious disease, may be at increased risk for future anxiety or depression. The mechanisms behind this outcome due to the disruption of the microbial balance in the gut. More research is needed to determine which, if not both the chicken (the infection) or the egg (the antibiotics) came in first place as the trigger for anxiety and depression.
Inflammation and Depression
70% of our immune system is located in the gut. Maintaining the proper balance of diversity is important so we can fight off infections, possible chronic disease, and psychosocial stressors. Research shows us that those residing in urban areas exposure to inflammatory responses are greater than those who are hunter-gatherers (think Paleo) or have a diverse agricultural-based lifestyle. “You are what you eat” has never been truer.
Go with Your Gut
Probiotics are live bacteria that are similar to the ones that are already in our gut. You can find them in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi. They’re also in supplements. Along with testing, probiotic treatments may provide potential support and preventative measures for depressive and anxiety disorders. Researchers think that probiotics might work by affecting the way the brain and the gut communicate. Not all pre and probiotics are made equal. Talk with Dr. Ian or your practitioner to see which one may be right for you.
If you suffer with anxiety or depression and have a history of antibiotic use, give us a call to schedule a new patient exam at Dr. Autoimmune. We now have remote care options, so wherever you are, you can still receive great care and achieve results.
Your habits influence your attitude, sleep, food cravings…and autoimmunity. Many of you that suspect you may have an autoimmune condition, or have been diagnosed with one, may in fact have two or more lurking within.
Have you noticed that when you eat pleasure-seeking foods such as sweets, alcohol, or caffeine (and for some, Chinese food), you want more of it shortly after you consume them? In an age of sugar-free, Keto, and every diet under the sun, where does real sugar stop and artificial sweeteners start?
Every restaurant table and coffee bar have these colorful, single-serving sized packets screaming at your taste buds, “Hey Sweet Tooth, I’m down here.” A laboratory accident turned popular over 130 years ago and the first super villain, saccharin, made its way into our food chain as a cheap and calorie-free alternative to cane sugar. Originally it was believed to be harmless, but over time, its question of safety rode a rollercoaster between science and industrial priorities.
Celebrities in the the cooking world have nothing good to say about these fake sweeteners. Colleague, close friend, and cookbook editor to Julia Child, Avis DeVoto wrote:
“Desserts, of which there is a fat section, are incredible—sweetened with saccharin [sic] and topped with imitation whipped cream! Fantastic! And I do believe a lot of people in this country eat just like that, stuffing themselves with faked materials in the fond belief that by substituting a chemical for God’s good food they can keep themselves slim while still eating hot breads and desserts and GUNK.”
To say the least, she was not a fan of this fake food and considered saccharin an empty pleasure.
When sugar became scarce during World War II, this diabetic substitute’s production ramped up. Between 1963 and 1967 artificially sweetened soft drinks nearly tripled their market share. By 1979, 44 million Americans used this sickly sweet, zero calorie alternative daily. As you can see by this chart, the rise has not slowed down, and is contributing to the obesity epidemic in America.
Chemical named by brand:
Acesulfame Potassium – Sunnett, Sweet One
Aspartame – Nutrasweet, Equal
Neotame – N/A
Saccharin – Sweet ‘N Low, Sweet Twin, Sugar Twin.
Sucralose – Splenda
Nutrition is among one of the contributing leaders to leaky gut syndrome. When foods are laden with pesticides, chemicals, artificial sweeteners and colors, combined with our nutrient deficient foods, our gut is constantly under attack and is no match for these “gut busting” toxins. If our food sources can not naturally support and feed the good bacteria, the bad bacteria begin to take over. Along with a nutrient dense diet, pharmaceutical grade supplementation has become paramount in therapeutic doses in order to restore our gut balance to tackle our autoimmune risk and conditions.
The sweet taste receptor (T1R3) is activated by artificial sweeteners. At high concentrations, many of the aforementioned chemical compounds were found to increase leaky gut and degrade cell regulation. This can lead to a myriad of issues including insulin resistance and diabetes. Primarily and first most, leaky gut leads to inflammation>symptoms>autoimmunity.
What about the reportedly safe “new age” sweeteners?
Chicory
Coconut sugar
Honey
Maple Syrup
Monk Fruit
Stevia
Although a monumental improvement in the form of nature vs lab, sugar in any form can spike your blood sugar and cause imbalances if consumed frequently (have you heard about devices which monitor your blood sugar?).
Grandma always said, “everything in moderation”. Unlike natural sugars including honey, maple syrup, and coconut sugar, stevia may be the lead in this cast of best choices for a sweet alternative, touting that it remains neutral in your bloodstream, and has a reduced calorie intake and low risk of cavities.
It has been reported that stevia could interfere with good bacteria in the gut, a strain on your kidneys or other organs, and/or possibly lower blood pressure, which could interfere with those on high blood pressure medications. There are always two sides to every story, and there isn’t enough research to conclude its downfalls. Just another reason to see an integrative or functional practitioner to get to the root cause of your tummy troubles.
The bottom line is: eat as close to the farm and whole food as possible. Teach your children at a young age how to read an ingredient label at the grocery store. It’s a fun and educational game that supports awareness around what is actually food, and what are lab experiments. Remember, you are what you eat. Bon Appetit!
Your thyroid is a gland located behind your Adam’s apple. Its job is to produce thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) which are the hormones that control your metabolism. This process of transforming the food you eat into energy can result in (T)erminator-like symptoms where you begin to feel inhuman.
Think of the story of the tortoise and the hare. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is under-producing these hormones and can lead to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hyperthyroidism occurs when too many hormones are being produced and can lead to Graves’ disease. Balance is the key to keeping your body running well.
If you are a woman, you know how much our hormones can take over and drive us either straight and narrow, or straight into a truck depending on stress, menstruation, food or environmental triggers. Men are not immune from thyroid disorders. Women tend to have higher instances with thyroid disorders, generally after menopause. Regardless of gender, autoimmune-related thyroid conditions are on the rise.
An early sign of thyroid irregularity is weight gain or loss. Since your thyroid can control your energy, it’s no wonder your weight can be affected. Rapid weight gain can be an indicator of low thyroid hormone function, while weight loss can be triggered by an overactive thyroid gland.
Fatigue
Just like weight gain, fatigue or excessive tiredness can be a sign of hypothyroidism or low thyroid function.
Brain fog
Thyroid hormones are directly related to the health of your brain neurons. There are only two things that every single cell in the body has a receptor for: thyroid hormones and vitamin D. It’s no wonder that vitamin D status influences thyroid function and your immune system.
Intolerance to heat or cold
Your circulation is affected if your thyroid is not functioning properly. This could present as feeling chilled or cold. If you notice that your hands and feet are particularly cold, this could be a symptom or sign of hypothyroidism. Alternatively, you might always run warm or experience hot flashes.
Poor quality hair skin nail
A slow thyroid can cause dry skin, hair loss,and brittle or ridged nails caused by follicle cycling. Sometimes slow and steady does not always win the race.
Digestive problems
Leaky gut and gastrointestinal discomfort are most often connected to thyroid dysfunction. Constipation is caused by a sluggish metabolism (lower thyroid hormone), while loose stools could be a symptom or a hyperactive thyroid.
Insomnia
When your hormones are out of whack, everything seems to follow suit. Whether your thyroid is over- or under-producing, you can have disrupted sleep from nervousness, be up with frequent urination, or experience night sweats.
Anxiety/depression
Hormones are the major players in mood regulation. They influence the neurotransmitters which cause imbalances in serotonin and dopamine. Thyroid imbalances cause inflammation, and when the hormone production is interrupted, it can affect proper blood flow to the brain.
Changes in your voice
An underactive thyroid can cause thickening of the vocal cords or swelling from the inflammatory changes.
Hormonal fluctuations
Your thyroid can directly affect your sexual function. From irregular periods to difficulty with sexual performance or enjoyment, your thyroid dysfunction may be a contributor.
The Thyroid-Autoimmune Connection
Are you aware that more than 90% of thyroid conditions are autoimmune? Unfortunately, most conventional doctors do not have the education or information about this connection. This can be incredibly frustrating!
What if you are taking thyroid medication but still experiencing these symptoms? Commonly, providers are not taught how to look at chemistry and physiology, but do prescribe medication for your symptoms. We at Dr. Autoimmune addresses the systems that run the symptoms, diagnose your particular imbalances with comprehensive blood chemistry, and create a customized care plan for you!
If you suspect your thyroid is the culprit of any of these symptoms, Dr. Autoimmune can help. We test specifically for all 8 thyroid markers. We have worked with close to 3,000 thyroid clients and have an 85% success rate! Call us at 303-882-8447 or fill out the form below today to see if your thyroid needs support.
As comes Spring, so comes the opportunity to reap the rewards of homegrown deliciousness. This time of year is known for awakening all of the human senses. What better time to feel at one with the green spaces around you?
Spring is the ideal season to start gardening as it helps get your produce and herbs ready for the rest of the year. A home garden is also a perfect way to save money; having fresh veggies and herbs on hand at all times can be expensive. Consider giving yourself the gift of a little -or a big- garden.
Many of the herbs, fruits, and veggies that are AIP-compliant can also be grown indoors or in containers so you don’t need a big yard to do this! Become one with nature this Spring whether that means watering the herbs from the couch or roaming through expansive acreage.
For many people, eating AIP-compliant diets means cooking a lot more at home than they may have been accustomed to previously. Because of the restrictions of this particular protocol, we encourage the use of myriad fresh herbs to bring flavor and interest to your meals.
Easy Herbs to Grow This Spring:
Parsley
The first herb to dabble in is parsley. It’s relatively easy to grow and the yield is high. Parsley is great when you want to make dishes with rich flavors. A lot of Mediterranean dishes are actualized with the use of parsley. Check out Stevie’s grain-free tabbouleh recipe below!
Cilantro
Another herb that is great for AIP dishes is cilantro. It can be grown from the seed or by simply starting with a cilantro plant. Cilantro can survive in many climates so it’s recommended regardless of where you live.
Dill
Dill won’t survive a frost so make sure to plant this herb when the Spring weather becomes more predictable. It does best with full sunlight so keep it outside or near a big sun-facing window. Dill is often under-utilized, but it can really bring life to both vegetable and seafood-based dishes alike.
Basil
Basil is perfect for container gardening and grows extremely well indoors near a sunny window. Like parsley, it also produces a high yield so you can make new friends by sharing some of your extra basil. It goes great with meat, salads, vegetables- the list goes on! Hot tip: make a dairy-free, nut-free pesto with just your homegrown basil, hemp hearts, garlic, salt, and extra virgin olive oil.
Happy Spring and Happy Gardening!
GRAIN-FREE TABBOULEH
Ingredients:
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice
½ tsp sea salt
3 bunches fresh Italian parsley, chopped
1 cup hemp hearts
1 cup riced cauliflower, fresh or frozen
8 green onions, finely diced
¼ cup fresh mint, chopped (optional)
Directions:
If using frozen riced cauliflower, add to a skillet and cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until completely warmed through. Let cool completely before assembling the rest of the salad.
Add olive oil, lemon juice, and salt to a large bowl. Whisk to combine. Add remaining ingredients, toss to coat, and serve.
April is Sjögren’s awareness month, so we thought it would be a great time to shed some light on it. Sjögren’s (pronounced show-grens) syndrome is a common autoimmune condition where moisture-secreting glands are attacked. This usually happens first in the eyes and mouth, so dry eyes and mouth are the most common symptoms.
Other symptoms can include:
Dry eyes
Dry mouth
Vaginal dryness
Dry nose, recurrent sinusitis, nosebleeds
Dry or peeling lips
Dry skin
Fatigue
Joint or muscle pain
Inability to focus or ‘brain fog’
Respiratory issues like shortness of breath, dry cough, or recurrent bronchitis
Anxiety and depression
Memory loss
Dysautonomia
Headaches (most commonly tension-type or migraines)
Sjögren’s syndrome can develop at any age and in any sex, but it is most common in women (9 out of 10 patients are women) and people over 40. It is considered a widely underdiagnosed condition, with the Sjögren’s Foundation estimating that over 2.5 million patients are currently undiagnosed.
The genes associated with Sjögren’s aren’t known yet, but we can’t control those anyway. What we can have some control over, though, is whether those genes are expressed. Our genes basically can be turned on and off with the right environmental factors. This is why gut health and removing triggers are more important than our genes.
In functional medicine, we use diet change and supplementation to heal the gut while working with you to find out possible triggers in your life. Common triggers include stress, viral or bacterial infections, and mold or toxin exposure.
Dry Eyes
One of the first things to occur in Sjögren’s is the glands that produce tears, the lacrimal glands, are attacked by the immune system. You might think that we only produce tears when we cry, but our lacrimal glands are actually always working to keep our eyes moistened.
Have you ever wondered why we blink? Our eyelids keep moisture trapped beneath, so when the part of our eye that is exposed to air starts to dry out, blinking spreads a new film of moisture over them. This method only works, however, when our lacrimal glands are producing moisture.
Dry eyes can lead to burning, itching, a feeling like sand is in the eyes, blurred vision, and difficulty tolerating bright lights. Think back to the last time you were challenged to a “blinking contest”. After some time of forcing your eyes to remain open, your vision starts to become affected and you start to feel a burning sensation. This is what chronic dry eyes associated with Sjögren’s syndrome can feel like.
Dry Mouth
One of the 2 most prominent symptoms, dry mouth is uncomfortable and can lead to dental problems. Along with the lacrimal glands, the salivary glands are the first to be affected. Salivary glands produce saliva, which keeps our mouths and gums moist and also helps with digesting food.
People with Sjögren’s are more likely to develop cavities and gum disease due to lack of moisture, so recommendations include stimulating saliva production with sugar-free (xylitol or maltitol if sugar alcohols are tolerated) lozenges and brushing teeth after every meal. These types of recommendations are only good for managing symptoms without actually addressing the root cause.
What Can You Do?
At Dr. Autoimmune, we are experts at getting to the root cause of your condition and working with you to develop a personalized plan to reach your health goals. Most of our clients notice huge changes within only 30 days. Fill out the form below to get started on your health journey!
Food is medicine. By providing your body with the correct tools, it has the ability to heal itself. Whether you have a diagnosed autoimmune or thyroid condition, or just want to boost your immune system during these trying times, follow this guide to learn how to use food to your advantage!
Food sensitivities
