September 3, 2025 • 25 mins
For more than 24 million Americans, the immune system—the very defense designed to protect—makes a devastating error: it begins attacking healthy cells and tissues. In this episode of The Health Pulse, we explore the mystery of autoimmune disease, from systemic conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis to more targeted disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes, and celiac disease.
We explain how autoimmunity develops gradually, often starting with subtle symptoms—fatigue, joint pain, or brain fog—that are too easily dismissed as stress or aging. You’ll learn how genetics, environment, and lifestyle intersect to fuel these conditions, and why gut health plays such a central role, with nearly 70% of the immune system residing in the intestines.
Most importantly, we highlight diagnostic tests and early warning signs you shouldn’t ignore, as well as evidence-based strategies that support immune regulation: anti-inflammatory nutrition, microbiome support, stress reduction, and lifestyle changes that work hand-in-hand with medical care.
This episode offers clarity and hope for anyone navigating autoimmunity—or seeking to understand how immune health connects to overall well-being.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The content discussed is based on research, expert insights, and reputable sources, but it does not replace professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. We strive to present accurate and up-to-date information, medical research is constantly evolving. Listeners should always verify details with trusted health organizations, before making any health-related decisions. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, such as severe pain, difficulty breathing, or other urgent symptoms, call your local emergency services immediately. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that The Health Pulse and its creators are not responsible for any actions taken based on the content of this episode. Your health and well-being should always be guided by the advice of qualified medical professionals.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the Health Pulse, your go-to source for
quick, actionable insights onhealth, wellness and diagnostics
.
Whether you're looking tooptimize your well-being or stay
informed about the latest inmedical testing, we've got you
covered.
Join us as we break down keyhealth topics in just minutes.
Let's dive in.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Did you know that over 24 million Americans are
navigating a reality where theirown body, in a really profound
misdirection, turns againstitself?
It's a phenomenon that's bothremarkable and, well frankly,
quite unsettling.
Our immune system, the verydefense mechanism designed to
(00:48):
protect us, mistakenlyidentifies healthy cells and
tissues as threats.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Right, the protectors become the packers, essentially
.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Exactly, and what's concerning is that the rates of
these autoimmune conditionsthey've been steadily climbing
over the past few decades.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Yeah, that's a definite trend.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
And it often makes early diagnosis a real challenge
because the symptoms can beincredibly subtle, you know.
They develop so gradually,they're easily dismissed.
So our mission in this deepdive is really to unravel this
kind of silent epidemic.
We're going to investigate whatthese complex conditions truly
are, why they emerge, how youcan spot those critical early
warning signs and the powerfulrole that early to your
(01:24):
e-detection and personalizedmanagement play.
It's really about empoweringyou with knowledge.
Okay, let's unpack this.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Yeah, and what's truly fascinating here and often
, you know, quite frustratingfor people going through it is
how our incredibly sophisticatedimmune system I mean this
system is designed with suchprecision to distinguish self
from non-self.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Right, its whole job.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Its entire job, and yet it can lose its way.
And when it does, it sets offthis cascade of chronic
inflammation.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Inflammation again.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Always, and that can lead to significant, sometimes
irreversible, organ damage.
It's like a highly trainedinternal security team suddenly
misidentifying the homeowner asthe primary threat.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
That's a great analogy.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
And this misdirection .
That's precisely why earlydetection is just so critical.
Identifying this abnormalimmune activity before
substantial tissue damage occurscan dramatically improve
outcomes.
It can slow disease progression, really change the trajectory
of someone's health.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
OK, so we've set the stage, this idea of the body
turning on itself.
But like?
What does that actually looklike on a cellular level?
What specifically breaks down?
How does that misidentificationhappen in stick?
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Yeah, that's the core question At its heart.
An autoimmune disease is whenimmune cells the ones meant to
scout for invaders like bacteriaor viruses they misinterpret
your own healthy tissues asforeign threats.
Your body then producessomething called autoantibodies.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Autoantibodies Okay.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Think of them as misguided missiles.
Instead of targeting a virus,they attack your own proteins.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
And this leads to a relentless state of chronic
inflammation.
It's not a quick battle.
It's a sustained internalconflict that gradually damages
tissues and organs over time.
It's a fundamental flaw in theimmune system's recognition
process.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
really helpful to categorize these conditions.
What are the main battlefields,so to speak?
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Exactly Good way to put it.
We generally see two maincategories.
First, you have systemicautoimmune diseases.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Systemic meaning widespread.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Precisely, these are the conditions where the immune
system attacks multiple organsand tissues throughout the
entire body.
Think of them as, yeah,widespread internal conflicts.
Example, classic examples arelupus or SLE systemic lupus
erythematosus that can affectskin joints, kidneys, heart,
brain, lots of things Right.
(03:54):
Then there's rheumatoidarthritis, which mainly targets
joint linings but can definitelyimpact other organs too, and
Sjogren's syndrome, whichaffects moisture producing
glands like tear ducts andsalivary glands.
And the challenge with those isthe challenge with systemic
conditions is they're diverseand often really vague symptoms.
They can look like so manyother things, which makes them
(04:14):
particularly difficult to pindown, especially early on.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Makes sense.
What's the other category?
Speaker 3 (04:19):
The other main group is organ-specific autoimmune
diseases, as the name suggests.
These are much more focused.
The attack is localized to asingle organ or maybe a specific
tissue type.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Oh, okay, like what.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
For instance, hashimoto's thyroiditis
specifically attacks the thyroidgland.
Type 1 diabetes zeros in on theinsulin-producing beta cells in
the pancreas, and celiacdisease primarily focuses its
attack on the small intestine,but only when gluten is consumed
.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
So more targeted attacks?
Does that make them easier todiagnose?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
You'd think so, but not always.
The difficulty, even with thesemore targeted conditions, is
that their early symptoms canstill mimic other common
ailments Fatigue, weight changes, things that are easy to brush
off.
So you still get frequentunderdiagnosis or misdiagnosis.
And this is where you knowadvanced lab testing becomes
(05:09):
absolutely indispensable,looking for those specific
autoantibodies.
That's how we detect theabnormal immune activity before
irreversible damage really setsin.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Okay, now that we understand the broad category
systemic versus organ specificOkay, I'm really curious about
how these definitions play outin the conditions people hear
about most often.
Can we walk through a fewcommon examples?
This is where it gets reallyinteresting, I think.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Absolutely.
Let's dive in some of the mostprevalent ones.
First up, Hashimoto'sthyroiditis.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Okay, hashimoto's Heard of that one.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Yeah, it's the most common cause of hypothyroidism,
an underactive thyroid.
Basically, the immune systemattacks the thyroid gland, which
hinders its ability to produceessential hormones.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And the symptoms are.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
Well, what's often overlooked is how subtly it can
start Persistent fatigue likebone-tired fatigue, unexplained
weight gain, feeling cold allthe time, that sort of pervasive
brain fog.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Oh brain fog, yeah Right.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Things often dismissed as just stress or
aging for years.
Sometimes it really highlightsthat silent progression.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
So what tests confirm it's Hashimoto's?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Key lab tests here go beyond just the standard TSH
and free T4 thyroid tests.
We specifically look forthyroid peroxidase antibodies or
TPOAB.
Those are the direct markersshowing the immune system is
attacking the thyroid.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Got it, tpoab.
Okay, what's next?
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Then there's rheumatoid arthritis, or RA,
known for affecting the liningof the joints right, leading to
swelling pain, sometimesdeformity.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Joint pain is the main thing people think of.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
It is, but it's actually a systemic condition.
It can also impact organs likethe heart and lungs over time.
A crucial distinction here isthe type of joint pain often
persistent, symmetrical, meaningsame joints on both sides of
the body, and that stiffnessespecially bad in the mornings.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Morning stiffness okay.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Yeah, that's a classic sign For labs.
Besides general inflammatorymarkers like ESR and CRP, we
look for rheumatoid factor, rfand, really importantly,
anti-ccp antibodies.
Anti-ccp is highly specific forRA and can even help predict
how severe the disease mightbecome.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Anti-CCP.
Good to know what about lupus?
You mentioned that earlier.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Right.
Systemic lupus erythematosus,or SLE.
It truly lives up to itssystemic name.
It's kind of notorious foraffecting multiple organs skin
joints, kidneys, heart, lungs,even the brain.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
So it's really varied .
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Incredibly varied.
Its symptoms range from jointpain and distinctive skin rashes
, like that facial butterflyrash you sometimes see pictures
of.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Oh yeah, I've seen that.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
To extreme fatigue, sun sensitivity.
That's why they call it thegreat imitator.
It can look like so many things.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
So diagnosis must be complex.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
It often requires a broad approach.
Usually starts with an ANApanel, which is a general screen
for systemic autoimmune issues.
Then doctors look for morespecific markers like anti-DSDNA
antibodies and monitor thingscalled complement levels, which
show how active the immunesystem is.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
OK.
What about diabetes?
Is that always autoimmune?
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Good question.
Not always, but type 1 diabetesis autoimmune.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
In type 1, the immune system launches a very targeted
assault on the pancreas,specifically, it destroys the
beta cells that produce insulin,so it's not like type 2, which
is more about insulin resistance.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Exactly.
This isn't about resistance.
It's an absolute lack ofinsulin because the factory is
destroyed.
This leads to dangerously highblood glucose levels.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
And symptoms are usually quite obvious.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Often, yes, they can develop pretty rapidly.
Excessive thirst, frequenturination, unexplained weight
loss those are the classic signs.
Beyond blood sugar tests likefasting, glucose and HbA1c, key
diagnostic tools includechecking for specific
autoantibodies, like GADantibodies, which confirm that
autoimmune destruction ishappening.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
GAD antibodies.
Okay, how about celiac disease?
Is that just a gluten allergy?
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Common misconception.
Celiac disease isn't an allergy.
It's an autoimmune reaction togluten that protein in wheat,
barley and rye.
When someone with celiac eatsgluten, their immune system
attacks the lining of the smallintestine.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Causing digestive issues.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Yes, but it's much more than that.
That damage impairs nutrientabsorption.
So while many people getchronic bloating or other
digestive changes, they can alsohave nutrient deficiencies,
weird skin rashes, fatigue, evenneurological symptoms.
It's really a systemic immuneresponse triggered in the gut.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
So testing is key there too.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
Absolutely.
We test for specific antibodieslike TTG-IGA, total, iga, to
make sure the first test isreliable and deamidated gliadin
antibodies.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Okay, one more Multiple sclerosis MS grid.
What's happening there?
Speaker 3 (09:41):
So in multiple sclerosis or MS, the immune
system attacks the myelin sheath, that's the protective
insulation around nerve fibersin the brain and spinal cord.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Like the coating on a wire.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Exactly like that.
This damage disrupts thecommunication signals between
the brain and the rest of thebody.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
And the symptoms depend on where the damage is.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Precisely.
That's why MS symptoms areincredibly varied.
You can see vision changes,numbness or tingling, muscle
weakness, balance problems,coordination issues, profound
fatigue.
It really depends on whichnerves are affected.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
How is MS diagnosed then?
Speaker 3 (10:25):
of spinal fluid which is gathered via spinal tap, and
seeing characteristic lesionsor areas of damage on MRI scans
of the brain and spinal cord.
Clinical symptoms are also key,of course.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Wow, that's a really powerful overview.
It shows just how diverse theseconditions are, yet they all
circle back to that centraltheme the immune system
misfiring.
So if we know what they are andhow they can show up, the
million-dollar question remainswhy, why?
Why did these conditions happenin the first place?
It sounds like it's rarely onesimple thing, right?
Yeah, it's more of a complexinterplay.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
It is absolutely, and that's really where the deep
dive into prevention, or atleast management, truly begins.
Autoimmune diseases don'tusually have a single cause.
They tend to develop throughthis intricate dance between
genetics, environmentalexposures, lifestyle factors and
how well our immune system isregulated.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
A perfect storm scenario.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
Pretty much, yeah, a confluence of factors.
Let's start with geneticsusceptibility.
We know certain gene variantssignificantly increase a
person's risk.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Like specific genes.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Yeah, we're talking about variations in genes with
names like HLADR, PTPM22, andCTLA4.
These aren't just randomletters.
They're involved in how yourimmune cells learn to recognize
self versus non-self.
So if you have these variants,if you have certain variants,
it's like the dimmer switch forimmune tolerance has turned down
(11:44):
a bit, making your system moreprone to making mistakes when it
gets triggered, and this iscrucial.
Having these genes doesn'tguarantee you'll get the disease
.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Right, it's susceptibility, not destiny.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
Exactly, a family history increases risk, but it's
not the whole story by anymeans.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Okay, so genes load the gun.
What pulls the trigger?
Environment.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
That's a common way to think about it.
Environmental triggers play ahuge role.
Infections, for example viralor bacterial, can sometimes
confuse the immune system.
There's this phenomenon calledmolecular mimicry.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Molecular mimicry Sounds complex.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
It just means that proteins on the surface of the
invading microbe look reallysimilar structurally to some of
your own body's protein.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Ah, so the immune system attacks the microbe.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
And then accidentally starts attacking your own
tissues because they look alike.
It's like a case of mistakenidentity leading to friendly
fire.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Okay, what else besides infections?
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Exposure to environmental pollutants, heavy
metals, even things like smoking.
These can trigger immunedysregulation by increasing
oxidative stress and justgenerally burdening the immune
system.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
You mentioned gut health earlier.
That seems to come up a lot.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
It's a massive piece of the puzzle Gut health and
intestinal permeability.
Sometimes people call it leakygut.
Consider this Up to 70% of yourentire immune system is located
in or around your gut 70% Wow.
Yeah, it's a critical controltower for immune tolerance when
there are disruptions in yourgut microbiome, that balance of
good and bad bacteria known asdysbiosis.
(13:16):
And if the gut lining becomesmore permeable or leaky, it can
allow undigested food particles,bacterial fragments, these
things called antigens, to slipinto your bloodstream where they
don't belong.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
And the immune system reacts.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
Exactly.
It sees these things as foreigninvaders and mounts an attack
leading to chronic immuneactivation.
There's really clear researchlinking dysbiosis and leaky gut
to conditions like celiac, ra,ms.
Gut health is central.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Okay, gut health is huge.
What about general inflammation?
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Right.
Chronic inflammation itself isanother key factor.
Persistent low-gradeinflammation basically keeps the
immune system on high alert allthe time.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Like it's constantly simmering.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
Precisely, and that overstimulation significantly
increases the risk of iteventually making a mistake and
turning on itself developingautoimmunity.
We can actually measure some ofthese inflammatory messengers
in the blood markers like HSCRP,il-6, and TNF-alpha.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
So those tests can be early warning signs.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
They can indicate underlying immune activation.
Yeah, Even before someone hasclear symptoms, high levels of
these markers might suggestsomething's brewing.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Interesting.
And finally, what about dietSugar, specifically?
Speaker 3 (14:27):
Ah yes, diet, sugar and insulin resistance.
This is a really importantconnection.
Modern diets, often high inrefined carbs and added sugars,
contribute to something calledhyperinsulinemia.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Meaning too much insulin.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Consistently high levels of insulin.
Yeah, and this metabolicimbalance doesn't just affect
weight.
It drives systemic inflammation, increases oxidative stress and
can really worsen autoimmuneflare-ups.
It puts extra pressure on theimmune system.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
So managing blood sugar is important for immune
health too.
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
Monitoring markers like fasting insulin, HbA1c,
which shows average blood sugarover months, and HOMA-IR, a
measure of insulin resistance,gives us vital insights into how
metabolism might becontributing to autoimmune risk.
It directly links our diet toour immune function.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
That's a truly intricate web Genes, infections,
toxins, gut health,inflammation, diet so many
potential factors.
Given this incrediblecomplexity and the fact that so
many early symptoms are justgeneral, you know, like fatigue
or aches, how does someone evenbegin to tell the difference
between everyday tiredness andsomething potentially more
(15:35):
serious?
What are those commonly missedearly signs?
Speaker 3 (15:39):
You've really hit on a crucial point there.
These initial signals are oftensubtle, they're easily
dismissed as oh I'm juststressed, or I didn't sleep well
, or I'm getting older.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Right, we all do that .
Speaker 3 (15:49):
We do.
But certain patterns tend toemerge as general early warning
signs across many differentautoimmune conditions.
Persistent fatigue, the kindthat doesn't get better with
rest, that's a big one.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
Okay, persistent fatigue.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Unexplained muscle aches or joint pain that just
sort of lingers, low gradefevers or just feeling generally
run down for weeks on end, thatbrain fog we mentioned,
difficulty concentrating,digestive changes, persistent
bloating, maybe diarrhea,constipation, abdominal pain
that doesn't have a clear cause,skin rashes that pop up or
suddenly becoming reallysensitive to sunlight.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
So it's the persistence and having multiple
symptoms.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
Exactly.
The key here is persistence andmultiplicity.
If you're experiencing severalof these things consistently for
more than, say, a few weeks,it's definitely worth exploring
further.
Don't just ignore it.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Okay, and are there more specific clues, depending
on the organ involved?
Speaker 3 (16:44):
Yes, beyond those general signs there can be more
organ-specific clues For thyroiddisorders like Hashimoto's.
You might notice those changesin weight we talked about, or
temperature intolerance, feelingreally cold when others are
comfortable or vice versa.
Maybe noticeable mood swingsWith celiac disease.
Maybe the chronic bloating isthe main thing, but perhaps it's
also unexplained anemia ornutrient deficiencies showing up
(17:07):
on routine blood work or evencertain types of skin rashes.
Ok For lupus.
Besides the potential butterflyrash, look for persistent joint
inflammation, maybe swelling inthe legs which could indicate
kidney involvement.
For type 1 diabetes, thatclassic trio excessive thirst,
frequent urination andunexplained weight loss is
usually pretty hard to miss onceit starts.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
So, if these subtle signals, or maybe even more
specific ones, are persisting,when should you really push for
a deeper look with your doctor?
What are the key tests todiscuss?
Speaker 3 (17:41):
This is critical advice.
If you're experiencing multipleunexplained symptoms that hang
around for more than a few weeks, or if you have a known family
history of autoimmune disease,that's your signal.
That's the time to initiate anearly lab evaluation.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Don't wait until it's really bad.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Please don't wait.
Early detection is everything.
Key tests to discuss with yourdoctor would definitely include
a comprehensive ANA panel.
That's an excellent initialscreen for many systemic
autoimmune conditions.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
ANA panel okay.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
You'd also want to check CRP and ESR.
These are general inflammatorymarkers.
High levels tell you there'ssignificant inflammation
happening somewhere in the body.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
CRP and ESR got it.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Then, depending on your specific symptoms and
family history, your doctormight order specific antibody
tests like the TPO-AB forHashimoto's we mentioned, or
anti-CCP for RA or the TTG-IGAfor celiac.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Tailored to the suspicion.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Exactly.
And don't forget the metabolicpanels Checking things like
fasting insulin, HbA1c, maybeeven lipid markers.
These give vital insights intothose metabolic contributors,
like insulin resistance, thatcan fuel autoimmunity.
It helps paint a more completepicture.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Okay, this is all incredibly helpful for
understanding and detection, butthis deep dive isn't just about
getting a diagnosis right.
It's really about empowerment,and while medical treatment is
often necessary absolutelycritical for many of these
conditions medical treatment isoften necessary absolutely
critical for many of theseconditions.
The good news, as I understandit, is there are some really
(19:12):
powerful, evidence-basedlifestyle strategies that can
genuinely complement medicaltherapy things people can do.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
That's a vital point.
These aren't just, you know,nice ideas.
They are evidence-basedapproaches that can meaningfully
impact well-being andpotentially even disease
activity.
It's about managing the terrain, if you will.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
Managing the terrain.
I like that.
So where do we start?
Speaker 3 (19:28):
Nutrition Nutrition is foundational
Anti-inflammatory nutrition.
The focus here is really onwhole unprocessed foods, things
rich in antioxidants, healthyfats.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
Like what specifically?
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Think omega-3 rich foods wild salmon, walnuts, chia
seeds, flax seeds.
These are potentanti-inflammatory agents.
Pair those with lean proteinsto help keep blood sugar stable.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
And what should people limit or avoid?
Speaker 3 (19:53):
It's crucial to limit foods known to drive
inflammation and immuneactivation.
That means cutting backsignificantly on processed foods
, refined sugars, excessiveomega-6 seed oils like soybean
corn oil and those highlyprocessed carbohydrates.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
They basically fuel the fire.
Okay, makes sense.
What about the insulinconnection we talked about?
Speaker 3 (20:12):
Right.
Improving insulin sensitivityis key, since we know high
insulin levels can worsen immunedysregulation and make flares
more severe.
Managing your blood sugar isdirectly tied to managing your
immune system.
How do you do that?
Strategies include adoptinglow-glycemic diets, eating in a
way that doesn't cause big bloodsugar spikes, regularly
monitoring those markers.
We mentioned fasting insulin.
(20:33):
Hmair, hba1c can track progress, and incorporating both
resistance training like liftingweights and aerobic exercise is
fantastic for enhancing yourbody's metabolic flexibility and
how well it uses insulin.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Exercise helps insulin work better.
Got it and back to the gut.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
Always back to the gut.
Supporting gut health isparamount given its role as that
immune control tower.
A healthy gut microbiomesupports immune tolerance, which
can significantly reduceautoimmunity risk or severity.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
So probiotics, yes, significantly reduce
autoimmunity risk or severity.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
So probiotics, yes, increasing intake of
probiotic-rich foods like plainyogurt, kefir, sauerkraut,
kimchi, things with livebeneficial bacteria.
But just as important isfeeding those good bugs with
prebiotic fibers.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
Prebiotics.
What are those?
Speaker 3 (21:20):
They're types of fiber found in foods like garlic
, onions, asparagus, leeks,slightly unripe bananas.
They act as food for yourbeneficial gut microbes.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
Eat the good guys.
Okay, what about stress?
Does that really impactautoimmunity?
Speaker 3 (21:33):
Hugely.
Stress and sleep management arecritical.
Chronic stress isn't just inyour head.
It physically elevates cortisoland pro-inflammatory cytokines.
These chemicals can directlyworsen autoimmune flare-ups and
mess with immune regulation.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
So managing stress isn't just nice to have.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
It's essential.
Evidence-based practicesinclude things like mindfulness,
meditation, deep breathingexercises, establishing
consistent sleep schedulesaiming for seven to nine hours
of quality rest, andincorporating gentle movement
like yoga or tai chi to helpcalm the nervous system.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
Sleep is huge.
Okay, and briefly, what aboutconventional medical treatments?
Speaker 3 (22:15):
Absolutely crucial for many people.
Medical therapies shouldn't beoverlooked.
These often involveimmunomodulators or biologics,
which are sophisticated drugsdesigned to reduce specific
aspects of immune systemoveractivity or block certain
inflammatory pathways.
Speaker 2 (22:26):
More targeted approaches.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Yes, sometimes steroids like prednisone are
used short term during severeflares to quickly get acute
inflammation under control, andincreasingly we're seeing highly
targeted therapies, precisionmedicines that are customized to
attack specific pathwaysinvolved in a particular
autoimmune disease.
It's becoming much morepersonalized.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
So it's really about combining approaches, lifestyle
and medical.
Speaker 3 (22:48):
Ideally yes.
For optimal management, it'soften about integrating these
foundational lifestylestrategies with appropriate
medical care tailored to theindividual's specific condition
and needs.
So if we kind of connect allthis back to the bigger picture,
what we've really seen today isthat autoimmune diseases are
incredibly complex.
They're multifactorialconditions.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Right, not simple.
Speaker 3 (23:11):
Not simple at all.
They often develop silently,maybe for years, long before
clear symptoms appear.
But by understanding theirpotential triggers the genetics,
the environment, the gut health, the inflammation, by
recognizing those subtle earlywarning signs and by embracing a
proactive approach, we reallyempower ourselves.
We know the immune systemmistakenly attacks healthy
(23:32):
tissues, leading to that chronicinflammation.
We know factors like gut health, insulin resistance, genetics
and environmental exposures playthese significant
interconnected roles.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
And testing helps catch it early.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
Crucially, lab testing is a vital tool to
detect this immune dysregulationearly, often before
irreversible damage happens.
And finally, those powerfullifestyle strategies
anti-inflammatory nutrition,supporting your gut, managing
stress, getting good sleep,moving your body strong.
They aren't just complementary,they're truly foundational for
(24:05):
supporting overall health andmanaging these conditions,
alongside necessary medicaltreatments.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
This deep dive really does show us that intricate,
complex dance happening insideour bodies, doesn't it?
And how interconnectedeverything is our gut, our genes
, our environment, our stresslevels, our diet it's all
connected.
It really is which raises, Ithink, an important question for
you, our listener.
Given how deeply intertwinedall these systems are.
How might rethinking our entireapproach to overall wellness,
(24:32):
focusing proactively on guthealth, managing stress, eating
well, moving regularly, howmight that be the most powerful
step any of us can take insupporting our immune health
Whether or not autoimmunity iscurrently a specific concern for
us something to think about?
Speaker 1 (24:52):
Thanks for tuning into the Health Pulse.
If you found this episodehelpful, don't forget to
subscribe and share it withsomeone who might benefit.
For more health insights anddiagnostics, visit us online at
wwwquicklabmobilecom.
Stay informed, stay healthy andwe'll catch you in the next
episode.
Welcome to the Health Pulse, your go-to source for
quick, actionable insights onhealth, wellness and diagnostics
.
Whether you're looking tooptimize your well-being or stay
informed about the latest inmedical testing, we've got you
covered.
Join us as we break down keyhealth topics in just minutes.
Let's dive in.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Did you know that over 24 million Americans are
navigating a reality where theirown body, in a really profound
misdirection, turns againstitself?
It's a phenomenon that's bothremarkable and, well frankly,
quite unsettling.
Our immune system, the verydefense mechanism designed to
(00:48):
protect us, mistakenlyidentifies healthy cells and
tissues as threats.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Right, the protectors become the packers, essentially
.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Exactly, and what's concerning is that the rates of
these autoimmune conditionsthey've been steadily climbing
over the past few decades.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Yeah, that's a definite trend.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
And it often makes early diagnosis a real challenge
because the symptoms can beincredibly subtle, you know.
They develop so gradually,they're easily dismissed.
So our mission in this deepdive is really to unravel this
kind of silent epidemic.
We're going to investigate whatthese complex conditions truly
are, why they emerge, how youcan spot those critical early
warning signs and the powerfulrole that early to your
(01:24):
e-detection and personalizedmanagement play.
It's really about empoweringyou with knowledge.
Okay, let's unpack this.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Yeah, and what's truly fascinating here and often
, you know, quite frustratingfor people going through it is
how our incredibly sophisticatedimmune system I mean this
system is designed with suchprecision to distinguish self
from non-self.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Right, its whole job.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Its entire job, and yet it can lose its way.
And when it does, it sets offthis cascade of chronic
inflammation.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Inflammation again.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Always, and that can lead to significant, sometimes
irreversible, organ damage.
It's like a highly trainedinternal security team suddenly
misidentifying the homeowner asthe primary threat.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
That's a great analogy.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
And this misdirection .
That's precisely why earlydetection is just so critical.
Identifying this abnormalimmune activity before
substantial tissue damage occurscan dramatically improve
outcomes.
It can slow disease progression, really change the trajectory
of someone's health.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
OK, so we've set the stage, this idea of the body
turning on itself.
But like?
What does that actually looklike on a cellular level?
What specifically breaks down?
How does that misidentificationhappen in stick?
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Yeah, that's the core question At its heart.
An autoimmune disease is whenimmune cells the ones meant to
scout for invaders like bacteriaor viruses they misinterpret
your own healthy tissues asforeign threats.
Your body then producessomething called autoantibodies.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Autoantibodies Okay.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Think of them as misguided missiles.
Instead of targeting a virus,they attack your own proteins.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
And this leads to a relentless state of chronic
inflammation.
It's not a quick battle.
It's a sustained internalconflict that gradually damages
tissues and organs over time.
It's a fundamental flaw in theimmune system's recognition
process.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
really helpful to categorize these conditions.
What are the main battlefields,so to speak?
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Exactly Good way to put it.
We generally see two maincategories.
First, you have systemicautoimmune diseases.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Systemic meaning widespread.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Precisely, these are the conditions where the immune
system attacks multiple organsand tissues throughout the
entire body.
Think of them as, yeah,widespread internal conflicts.
Example, classic examples arelupus or SLE systemic lupus
erythematosus that can affectskin joints, kidneys, heart,
brain, lots of things Right.
(03:54):
Then there's rheumatoidarthritis, which mainly targets
joint linings but can definitelyimpact other organs too, and
Sjogren's syndrome, whichaffects moisture producing
glands like tear ducts andsalivary glands.
And the challenge with those isthe challenge with systemic
conditions is they're diverseand often really vague symptoms.
They can look like so manyother things, which makes them
(04:14):
particularly difficult to pindown, especially early on.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Makes sense.
What's the other category?
Speaker 3 (04:19):
The other main group is organ-specific autoimmune
diseases, as the name suggests.
These are much more focused.
The attack is localized to asingle organ or maybe a specific
tissue type.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Oh, okay, like what.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
For instance, hashimoto's thyroiditis
specifically attacks the thyroidgland.
Type 1 diabetes zeros in on theinsulin-producing beta cells in
the pancreas, and celiacdisease primarily focuses its
attack on the small intestine,but only when gluten is consumed
.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
So more targeted attacks?
Does that make them easier todiagnose?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
You'd think so, but not always.
The difficulty, even with thesemore targeted conditions, is
that their early symptoms canstill mimic other common
ailments Fatigue, weight changes, things that are easy to brush
off.
So you still get frequentunderdiagnosis or misdiagnosis.
And this is where you knowadvanced lab testing becomes
(05:09):
absolutely indispensable,looking for those specific
autoantibodies.
That's how we detect theabnormal immune activity before
irreversible damage really setsin.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Okay, now that we understand the broad category
systemic versus organ specificOkay, I'm really curious about
how these definitions play outin the conditions people hear
about most often.
Can we walk through a fewcommon examples?
This is where it gets reallyinteresting, I think.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Absolutely.
Let's dive in some of the mostprevalent ones.
First up, Hashimoto'sthyroiditis.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Okay, hashimoto's Heard of that one.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Yeah, it's the most common cause of hypothyroidism,
an underactive thyroid.
Basically, the immune systemattacks the thyroid gland, which
hinders its ability to produceessential hormones.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And the symptoms are.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
Well, what's often overlooked is how subtly it can
start Persistent fatigue likebone-tired fatigue, unexplained
weight gain, feeling cold allthe time, that sort of pervasive
brain fog.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Oh brain fog, yeah Right.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Things often dismissed as just stress or
aging for years.
Sometimes it really highlightsthat silent progression.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
So what tests confirm it's Hashimoto's?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Key lab tests here go beyond just the standard TSH
and free T4 thyroid tests.
We specifically look forthyroid peroxidase antibodies or
TPOAB.
Those are the direct markersshowing the immune system is
attacking the thyroid.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Got it, tpoab.
Okay, what's next?
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Then there's rheumatoid arthritis, or RA,
known for affecting the liningof the joints right, leading to
swelling pain, sometimesdeformity.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Joint pain is the main thing people think of.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
It is, but it's actually a systemic condition.
It can also impact organs likethe heart and lungs over time.
A crucial distinction here isthe type of joint pain often
persistent, symmetrical, meaningsame joints on both sides of
the body, and that stiffnessespecially bad in the mornings.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Morning stiffness okay.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Yeah, that's a classic sign For labs.
Besides general inflammatorymarkers like ESR and CRP, we
look for rheumatoid factor, rfand, really importantly,
anti-ccp antibodies.
Anti-ccp is highly specific forRA and can even help predict
how severe the disease mightbecome.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Anti-CCP.
Good to know what about lupus?
You mentioned that earlier.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Right.
Systemic lupus erythematosus,or SLE.
It truly lives up to itssystemic name.
It's kind of notorious foraffecting multiple organs skin
joints, kidneys, heart, lungs,even the brain.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
So it's really varied .
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Incredibly varied.
Its symptoms range from jointpain and distinctive skin rashes
, like that facial butterflyrash you sometimes see pictures
of.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Oh yeah, I've seen that.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
To extreme fatigue, sun sensitivity.
That's why they call it thegreat imitator.
It can look like so many things.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
So diagnosis must be complex.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
It often requires a broad approach.
Usually starts with an ANApanel, which is a general screen
for systemic autoimmune issues.
Then doctors look for morespecific markers like anti-DSDNA
antibodies and monitor thingscalled complement levels, which
show how active the immunesystem is.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
OK.
What about diabetes?
Is that always autoimmune?
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Good question.
Not always, but type 1 diabetesis autoimmune.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
In type 1, the immune system launches a very targeted
assault on the pancreas,specifically, it destroys the
beta cells that produce insulin,so it's not like type 2, which
is more about insulin resistance.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Exactly.
This isn't about resistance.
It's an absolute lack ofinsulin because the factory is
destroyed.
This leads to dangerously highblood glucose levels.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
And symptoms are usually quite obvious.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Often, yes, they can develop pretty rapidly.
Excessive thirst, frequenturination, unexplained weight
loss those are the classic signs.
Beyond blood sugar tests likefasting, glucose and HbA1c, key
diagnostic tools includechecking for specific
autoantibodies, like GADantibodies, which confirm that
autoimmune destruction ishappening.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
GAD antibodies.
Okay, how about celiac disease?
Is that just a gluten allergy?
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Common misconception.
Celiac disease isn't an allergy.
It's an autoimmune reaction togluten that protein in wheat,
barley and rye.
When someone with celiac eatsgluten, their immune system
attacks the lining of the smallintestine.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Causing digestive issues.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Yes, but it's much more than that.
That damage impairs nutrientabsorption.
So while many people getchronic bloating or other
digestive changes, they can alsohave nutrient deficiencies,
weird skin rashes, fatigue, evenneurological symptoms.
It's really a systemic immuneresponse triggered in the gut.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
So testing is key there too.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
Absolutely.
We test for specific antibodieslike TTG-IGA, total, iga, to
make sure the first test isreliable and deamidated gliadin
antibodies.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Okay, one more Multiple sclerosis MS grid.
What's happening there?
Speaker 3 (09:41):
So in multiple sclerosis or MS, the immune
system attacks the myelin sheath, that's the protective
insulation around nerve fibersin the brain and spinal cord.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Like the coating on a wire.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Exactly like that.
This damage disrupts thecommunication signals between
the brain and the rest of thebody.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
And the symptoms depend on where the damage is.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Precisely.
That's why MS symptoms areincredibly varied.
You can see vision changes,numbness or tingling, muscle
weakness, balance problems,coordination issues, profound
fatigue.
It really depends on whichnerves are affected.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
How is MS diagnosed then?
Speaker 3 (10:25):
of spinal fluid which is gathered via spinal tap, and
seeing characteristic lesionsor areas of damage on MRI scans
of the brain and spinal cord.
Clinical symptoms are also key,of course.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Wow, that's a really powerful overview.
It shows just how diverse theseconditions are, yet they all
circle back to that centraltheme the immune system
misfiring.
So if we know what they are andhow they can show up, the
million-dollar question remainswhy, why?
Why did these conditions happenin the first place?
It sounds like it's rarely onesimple thing, right?
Yeah, it's more of a complexinterplay.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
It is absolutely, and that's really where the deep
dive into prevention, or atleast management, truly begins.
Autoimmune diseases don'tusually have a single cause.
They tend to develop throughthis intricate dance between
genetics, environmentalexposures, lifestyle factors and
how well our immune system isregulated.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
A perfect storm scenario.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
Pretty much, yeah, a confluence of factors.
Let's start with geneticsusceptibility.
We know certain gene variantssignificantly increase a
person's risk.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Like specific genes.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Yeah, we're talking about variations in genes with
names like HLADR, PTPM22, andCTLA4.
These aren't just randomletters.
They're involved in how yourimmune cells learn to recognize
self versus non-self.
So if you have these variants,if you have certain variants,
it's like the dimmer switch forimmune tolerance has turned down
(11:44):
a bit, making your system moreprone to making mistakes when it
gets triggered, and this iscrucial.
Having these genes doesn'tguarantee you'll get the disease
.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Right, it's susceptibility, not destiny.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
Exactly, a family history increases risk, but it's
not the whole story by anymeans.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Okay, so genes load the gun.
What pulls the trigger?
Environment.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
That's a common way to think about it.
Environmental triggers play ahuge role.
Infections, for example viralor bacterial, can sometimes
confuse the immune system.
There's this phenomenon calledmolecular mimicry.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Molecular mimicry Sounds complex.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
It just means that proteins on the surface of the
invading microbe look reallysimilar structurally to some of
your own body's protein.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Ah, so the immune system attacks the microbe.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
And then accidentally starts attacking your own
tissues because they look alike.
It's like a case of mistakenidentity leading to friendly
fire.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Okay, what else besides infections?
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Exposure to environmental pollutants, heavy
metals, even things like smoking.
These can trigger immunedysregulation by increasing
oxidative stress and justgenerally burdening the immune
system.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
You mentioned gut health earlier.
That seems to come up a lot.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
It's a massive piece of the puzzle Gut health and
intestinal permeability.
Sometimes people call it leakygut.
Consider this Up to 70% of yourentire immune system is located
in or around your gut 70% Wow.
Yeah, it's a critical controltower for immune tolerance when
there are disruptions in yourgut microbiome, that balance of
good and bad bacteria known asdysbiosis.
(13:16):
And if the gut lining becomesmore permeable or leaky, it can
allow undigested food particles,bacterial fragments, these
things called antigens, to slipinto your bloodstream where they
don't belong.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
And the immune system reacts.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
Exactly.
It sees these things as foreigninvaders and mounts an attack
leading to chronic immuneactivation.
There's really clear researchlinking dysbiosis and leaky gut
to conditions like celiac, ra,ms.
Gut health is central.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Okay, gut health is huge.
What about general inflammation?
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Right.
Chronic inflammation itself isanother key factor.
Persistent low-gradeinflammation basically keeps the
immune system on high alert allthe time.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Like it's constantly simmering.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
Precisely, and that overstimulation significantly
increases the risk of iteventually making a mistake and
turning on itself developingautoimmunity.
We can actually measure some ofthese inflammatory messengers
in the blood markers like HSCRP,il-6, and TNF-alpha.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
So those tests can be early warning signs.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
They can indicate underlying immune activation.
Yeah, Even before someone hasclear symptoms, high levels of
these markers might suggestsomething's brewing.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Interesting.
And finally, what about dietSugar, specifically?
Speaker 3 (14:27):
Ah yes, diet, sugar and insulin resistance.
This is a really importantconnection.
Modern diets, often high inrefined carbs and added sugars,
contribute to something calledhyperinsulinemia.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Meaning too much insulin.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Consistently high levels of insulin.
Yeah, and this metabolicimbalance doesn't just affect
weight.
It drives systemic inflammation, increases oxidative stress and
can really worsen autoimmuneflare-ups.
It puts extra pressure on theimmune system.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
So managing blood sugar is important for immune
health too.
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
Monitoring markers like fasting insulin, HbA1c,
which shows average blood sugarover months, and HOMA-IR, a
measure of insulin resistance,gives us vital insights into how
metabolism might becontributing to autoimmune risk.
It directly links our diet toour immune function.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
That's a truly intricate web Genes, infections,
toxins, gut health,inflammation, diet so many
potential factors.
Given this incrediblecomplexity and the fact that so
many early symptoms are justgeneral, you know, like fatigue
or aches, how does someone evenbegin to tell the difference
between everyday tiredness andsomething potentially more
(15:35):
serious?
What are those commonly missedearly signs?
Speaker 3 (15:39):
You've really hit on a crucial point there.
These initial signals are oftensubtle, they're easily
dismissed as oh I'm juststressed, or I didn't sleep well
, or I'm getting older.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Right, we all do that .
Speaker 3 (15:49):
We do.
But certain patterns tend toemerge as general early warning
signs across many differentautoimmune conditions.
Persistent fatigue, the kindthat doesn't get better with
rest, that's a big one.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
Okay, persistent fatigue.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Unexplained muscle aches or joint pain that just
sort of lingers, low gradefevers or just feeling generally
run down for weeks on end, thatbrain fog we mentioned,
difficulty concentrating,digestive changes, persistent
bloating, maybe diarrhea,constipation, abdominal pain
that doesn't have a clear cause,skin rashes that pop up or
suddenly becoming reallysensitive to sunlight.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
So it's the persistence and having multiple
symptoms.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
Exactly.
The key here is persistence andmultiplicity.
If you're experiencing severalof these things consistently for
more than, say, a few weeks,it's definitely worth exploring
further.
Don't just ignore it.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Okay, and are there more specific clues, depending
on the organ involved?
Speaker 3 (16:44):
Yes, beyond those general signs there can be more
organ-specific clues For thyroiddisorders like Hashimoto's.
You might notice those changesin weight we talked about, or
temperature intolerance, feelingreally cold when others are
comfortable or vice versa.
Maybe noticeable mood swingsWith celiac disease.
Maybe the chronic bloating isthe main thing, but perhaps it's
also unexplained anemia ornutrient deficiencies showing up
(17:07):
on routine blood work or evencertain types of skin rashes.
Ok For lupus.
Besides the potential butterflyrash, look for persistent joint
inflammation, maybe swelling inthe legs which could indicate
kidney involvement.
For type 1 diabetes, thatclassic trio excessive thirst,
frequent urination andunexplained weight loss is
usually pretty hard to miss onceit starts.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
So, if these subtle signals, or maybe even more
specific ones, are persisting,when should you really push for
a deeper look with your doctor?
What are the key tests todiscuss?
Speaker 3 (17:41):
This is critical advice.
If you're experiencing multipleunexplained symptoms that hang
around for more than a few weeks, or if you have a known family
history of autoimmune disease,that's your signal.
That's the time to initiate anearly lab evaluation.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Don't wait until it's really bad.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Please don't wait.
Early detection is everything.
Key tests to discuss with yourdoctor would definitely include
a comprehensive ANA panel.
That's an excellent initialscreen for many systemic
autoimmune conditions.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
ANA panel okay.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
You'd also want to check CRP and ESR.
These are general inflammatorymarkers.
High levels tell you there'ssignificant inflammation
happening somewhere in the body.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
CRP and ESR got it.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Then, depending on your specific symptoms and
family history, your doctormight order specific antibody
tests like the TPO-AB forHashimoto's we mentioned, or
anti-CCP for RA or the TTG-IGAfor celiac.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Tailored to the suspicion.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Exactly.
And don't forget the metabolicpanels Checking things like
fasting insulin, HbA1c, maybeeven lipid markers.
These give vital insights intothose metabolic contributors,
like insulin resistance, thatcan fuel autoimmunity.
It helps paint a more completepicture.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Okay, this is all incredibly helpful for
understanding and detection, butthis deep dive isn't just about
getting a diagnosis right.
It's really about empowerment,and while medical treatment is
often necessary absolutelycritical for many of these
conditions medical treatment isoften necessary absolutely
critical for many of theseconditions.
The good news, as I understandit, is there are some really
(19:12):
powerful, evidence-basedlifestyle strategies that can
genuinely complement medicaltherapy things people can do.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
That's a vital point.
These aren't just, you know,nice ideas.
They are evidence-basedapproaches that can meaningfully
impact well-being andpotentially even disease
activity.
It's about managing the terrain, if you will.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
Managing the terrain.
I like that.
So where do we start?
Speaker 3 (19:28):
Nutrition Nutrition is foundational
Anti-inflammatory nutrition.
The focus here is really onwhole unprocessed foods, things
rich in antioxidants, healthyfats.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
Like what specifically?
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Think omega-3 rich foods wild salmon, walnuts, chia
seeds, flax seeds.
These are potentanti-inflammatory agents.
Pair those with lean proteinsto help keep blood sugar stable.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
And what should people limit or avoid?
Speaker 3 (19:53):
It's crucial to limit foods known to drive
inflammation and immuneactivation.
That means cutting backsignificantly on processed foods
, refined sugars, excessiveomega-6 seed oils like soybean
corn oil and those highlyprocessed carbohydrates.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
They basically fuel the fire.
Okay, makes sense.
What about the insulinconnection we talked about?
Speaker 3 (20:12):
Right.
Improving insulin sensitivityis key, since we know high
insulin levels can worsen immunedysregulation and make flares
more severe.
Managing your blood sugar isdirectly tied to managing your
immune system.
How do you do that?
Strategies include adoptinglow-glycemic diets, eating in a
way that doesn't cause big bloodsugar spikes, regularly
monitoring those markers.
We mentioned fasting insulin.
(20:33):
Hmair, hba1c can track progress, and incorporating both
resistance training like liftingweights and aerobic exercise is
fantastic for enhancing yourbody's metabolic flexibility and
how well it uses insulin.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Exercise helps insulin work better.
Got it and back to the gut.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
Always back to the gut.
Supporting gut health isparamount given its role as that
immune control tower.
A healthy gut microbiomesupports immune tolerance, which
can significantly reduceautoimmunity risk or severity.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
So probiotics, yes, significantly reduce
autoimmunity risk or severity.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
So probiotics, yes, increasing intake of
probiotic-rich foods like plainyogurt, kefir, sauerkraut,
kimchi, things with livebeneficial bacteria.
But just as important isfeeding those good bugs with
prebiotic fibers.
Speaker 2 (21:18):
Prebiotics.
What are those?
Speaker 3 (21:20):
They're types of fiber found in foods like garlic
, onions, asparagus, leeks,slightly unripe bananas.
They act as food for yourbeneficial gut microbes.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
Eat the good guys.
Okay, what about stress?
Does that really impactautoimmunity?
Speaker 3 (21:33):
Hugely.
Stress and sleep management arecritical.
Chronic stress isn't just inyour head.
It physically elevates cortisoland pro-inflammatory cytokines.
These chemicals can directlyworsen autoimmune flare-ups and
mess with immune regulation.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
So managing stress isn't just nice to have.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
It's essential.
Evidence-based practicesinclude things like mindfulness,
meditation, deep breathingexercises, establishing
consistent sleep schedulesaiming for seven to nine hours
of quality rest, andincorporating gentle movement
like yoga or tai chi to helpcalm the nervous system.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
Sleep is huge.
Okay, and briefly, what aboutconventional medical treatments?
Speaker 3 (22:15):
Absolutely crucial for many people.
Medical therapies shouldn't beoverlooked.
These often involveimmunomodulators or biologics,
which are sophisticated drugsdesigned to reduce specific
aspects of immune systemoveractivity or block certain
inflammatory pathways.
Speaker 2 (22:26):
More targeted approaches.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Yes, sometimes steroids like prednisone are
used short term during severeflares to quickly get acute
inflammation under control, andincreasingly we're seeing highly
targeted therapies, precisionmedicines that are customized to
attack specific pathwaysinvolved in a particular
autoimmune disease.
It's becoming much morepersonalized.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
So it's really about combining approaches, lifestyle
and medical.
Speaker 3 (22:48):
Ideally yes.
For optimal management, it'soften about integrating these
foundational lifestylestrategies with appropriate
medical care tailored to theindividual's specific condition
and needs.
So if we kind of connect allthis back to the bigger picture,
what we've really seen today isthat autoimmune diseases are
incredibly complex.
They're multifactorialconditions.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Right, not simple.
Speaker 3 (23:11):
Not simple at all.
They often develop silently,maybe for years, long before
clear symptoms appear.
But by understanding theirpotential triggers the genetics,
the environment, the gut health, the inflammation, by
recognizing those subtle earlywarning signs and by embracing a
proactive approach, we reallyempower ourselves.
We know the immune systemmistakenly attacks healthy
(23:32):
tissues, leading to that chronicinflammation.
We know factors like gut health, insulin resistance, genetics
and environmental exposures playthese significant
interconnected roles.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
And testing helps catch it early.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
Crucially, lab testing is a vital tool to
detect this immune dysregulationearly, often before
irreversible damage happens.
And finally, those powerfullifestyle strategies
anti-inflammatory nutrition,supporting your gut, managing
stress, getting good sleep,moving your body strong.
They aren't just complementary,they're truly foundational for
(24:05):
supporting overall health andmanaging these conditions,
alongside necessary medicaltreatments.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
This deep dive really does show us that intricate,
complex dance happening insideour bodies, doesn't it?
And how interconnectedeverything is our gut, our genes
, our environment, our stresslevels, our diet it's all
connected.
It really is which raises, Ithink, an important question for
you, our listener.
Given how deeply intertwinedall these systems are.
How might rethinking our entireapproach to overall wellness,
(24:32):
focusing proactively on guthealth, managing stress, eating
well, moving regularly, howmight that be the most powerful
step any of us can take insupporting our immune health
Whether or not autoimmunity iscurrently a specific concern for
us something to think about?
Speaker 1 (24:52):
Thanks for tuning into the Health Pulse.
If you found this episodehelpful, don't forget to
subscribe and share it withsomeone who might benefit.
For more health insights anddiagnostics, visit us online at
wwwquicklabmobilecom.
Stay informed, stay healthy andwe'll catch you in the next
episode.
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