What is autoimmune disease?
How a confused immune system can do harm. The immune system is brilliantly designed to protect us from the complications of infection, injury, and disease – but it isn’t perfect. In a condition known as autoimmunity, the immune system can cause harm by attacking the body’s own cells, tissues, and organs. Let’s take a closer…
Enhancing Immunity with Glandulars
“Beasty bits” for autoimmunity, cancer recovery, and more The phrase “natural immune support” typically calls to mind vegetables, botanicals, probiotics, and fungi, but immune-enhancing therapies also come to us from the animal kingdom. While the meat of animals is rich in iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and protein,[1],[2],[3] the glands of these creatures may…
All About T Helper Cells (Video)
What are T cells and what do they do? No previous knowledge of immunology is required to glean inspiration and insight from this video! Family physician Dr. Erica Zelfand explains the importance of these special white blood cells. She explains how, depending on what they’re exposed to, T-cells can transform into T Helper (Th)…
Multiple Sclerosis, Asthma, and Fasting
The effects of calorie restriction on immune function and inflammation Move over mustache wax, craft beer, and fixed-gear bicycles: fasting is making a comeback. By no means a new therapy, fasting has its roots in religion and medicine alike. In fact, the Greek physician Hippocrates, who lived from about 460 to 375 BCE, prescribed…
Molecular Hydrogen and Autoimmune Disease
Multiple clinical studies report improvements in autoimmune disease with hydrogen treatment Although hydrogen (H2) is well known as an alternative fuel, recognized as such in the Energy Policy Act of 1992, only in 2007 did it begin to really make the scene in medicine. Although used for the purpose of preventing decompression sickness in…
Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin
The role of vitamin D in autoimmunity and mood Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin” because it is generated within the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, the rays responsible for suntans.[1] Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, immunity, and many other bodily functions.[2],[3],[4] In the absence of sun…
Nutrients that Support the Thyroid
Important nutrients for Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism As the master of metabolism, the thyroid gland regulates digestion, energy production, mental sharpness, fat burning, and heart rate.[1] Even the suppleness and strength of the skin, hair, and fingernails are significantly affected by thyroid function. All of these metabolic processes require fuel, making the thyroid a particularly…
Selenium and Thyroid Health
A trace mineral for major benefit Sitting at the front of the neck, like a butterfly spreading its wings over the throat, the thyroid is one of the most exposed glands of the endocrine system. Controlling growth, development, and metabolism, the thyroid requires proper nutrition to function and produce hormones appropriately. The changes in…
Understanding Inflammation
When too much of a good thing becomes harmful If you’ve ever scraped your knee, you’ve seen the healing power of inflammation at work. The body reacts to injury and invasion by sending a flood of white blood cells to the area to repair the damage, stop the spread of infection, and battle any…
Leaky Gut 101
Why intestinal permeability causes so much harm, and what to do about it Brilliantly packed within the body, the intestinal barrier covers a surface area of over 4,000 square feet and requires about 40% of the body’s energy expenditure. But what happens when it starts to break down? What is leaky gut? Hold up…
Leaky Gut, Autoimmunity, and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) – Oh My!
Harm from one kind of bacteria, healing from another What’s LPS, and why should I care? Lipopolysaccharide, or LPS, is the major component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. LPS contributes to the structural integrity of the bacteria, protecting the membrane from certain kinds of chemical attack. LPS is of crucial importance to…
Adrenal Fatigue, Adrenal Insufficiency, or Something Else?
How stress impacts us all “I’m so exhausted all the time, I think I have adrenal failure.” “My friend told me her naturopath said her that her adrenals crashed and I think mine have too.” “I took a test and my cortisol was low and my chiropractor told me I have adrenal fatigue.” If…
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