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10StepstoReversingRheumatoidArthritis
InflammationandOtherAutoimmune
Diseases
MarkHyman
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Dr.JoshuaDorsey
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Iamoftenaskedifthereisawaytodealwithautoimmunediseasethemostcommonchronicdiseasethemostcommonquestionbeing
Isthereanywaytodealwiththiswithouttakingpowerfulantiinflammatorydrugsthatoftenhaveserioussideeffects?
Theyincludetype1diabetes,lupus,rheumatoidarthritis,multiplesclerosis,colitis,Crohnsdisease,anddozensofothers,buttheyallhave
onethingincommon:Thebodyattacksitself.
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Autoimmunediseases,likerheumatoidarthritisorRA,oftenincludechallengingsymptomssuchaspain,swelling,fatigue,anddisability.
At their root, one central biochemical process connects these seemingly disparate diseases: A runaway immune response, called
systemicinflammation(http://theheartysoul.com/autoimmunediseasewithoutdrugs/),inevitablyresultsinyourbodyattackingitsowntissues.
Yourimmunesystemsjobistodefendyouagainstinvadersorforeignmicrobes,toxins,orabnormalcellslikecancerorforeignfoodproteins
(allergens).Imagineyourimmunesystemasanarmythatmustclearlydistinguishfriendfromfoe.
3SignsofaFattyLiver
CureFatontheCellularLevel
LCRHealth
Autoimmunityoccurswhenyourimmunesystemgetsconfusedandyourowntissuegetscaughtinthecrossfire.Yourbodyisdesignedtofight
offharmfulthingslikeinfections,toxins(http://www.healthyholisticliving.com/skindetoxdiy.html),allergens,orastressresponse.Sometimes
andforreasonsnotfullyknown,thatimmunearmydirectsitshostileattackonyourjoints,brain,skin,andsometimesyourwholebody.
Conventionalmedicineacceptsthisproblem,butstopsthere,withoutLOOKINGforwhatmightbecausingthebodytobeoutofbalanceand
attackingitself.
Instead,conventionalmedicineinventspharmaceuticaldrugstoinhibit,block,orantisomething,andfailstoansweronesimplequestion:Why
isthebodyoutofbalancetobeginwith,andhowdowehelpitregaintheproperbalance?
IsabelsStory
Isabel,acute10yearoldgirlfromTexaswholovedridinghorses,walkedintomyofficeseveralyearsagowithoneofthemostseverecases
of autoimmune disease I had ever seen. Her face and joints were swollen and her immune system was attacking her entire body
(http://drhyman.com/autoimmunediseasestopyourbodyfromattackingitself80/)includinghermuscles,skin,joints,bloodvessels,liver,and
whiteandredbloodcells.
Isabelcouldntsqueezeherhandormakeafist.ThetipsofherfingersandtoeswereperpetuallycoldfromRaynaudsdisease.Shehadbeen
sufferingfromrashesthatburnedandirritatedherskinforyears.Shefelttiredandmiserableandwaslosingherhair.
Isabel was on elephantine doses of intravenous steroids every three weeks just to keep her alive, and she was taking prednisone, aspirin
(https://familylifegoals.com/aspirinalternatives/),acidblockers,andmethotrexate,achemotherapydrugusedtoshutdowntheimmunesystem
daily.
Despitethesemegadosesofmedication,shestillwasntgettinganybetter,andherlabtestswerestillabnormal.
Herdoctorswantedtoaddanotherpowerfulimmunesuppressingdrug(aTNFalphablocker)totheregimenofmedicationshewasalready
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taking.This drug increases the risk of cancer and death from overwhelming infection because it prevents the immune system fromFacebook
fighting
infectionsnormally.Theinflammation(http://drhyman.com/topic/inflammation/)slowsdown,thustheautoimmunesymptomsmayabate,butat
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acost:Increasedriskforcancerandinfection.
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Disturbedbythesepossibilitiesanddisgustedwithconventionalapproachesthatwerentworking,herparentsbroughthertoseeme.
Lifestyle (http://theheartysoul.com/category/lifestyle/) About (http://theheartysoul.com/about/)
TwomonthsafterIfirstsawIsabel,whenIdiscoveredandthentreatedtheunderlyingcausesofherinflammationafter,asshesays,she
stoppedeatinggluten(http://drhyman.com/glutenwhatyoudontknowmightkillyou11/),dairy(http://drhyman.com/6reasonstoavoiddairy
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1387/),andsugarandtooksomesupplementsshewassymptomfree.Inlessthanayear,shewascompletelyhealthy,herbloodtestswere
normal,andshewasoffallhermedication.
AFunctionalMedicinePerspectivetoAutoimmuneDisease
IsabelsstoryisaperfectexampleofthepowerofFunctionalMedicine,whichprovidesamaptofindtherootcauseofinflammation,which
underliesautoimmunedisease.
FunctionalMedicineaskswhythatinflammationexists.Whenweidentifytheunderlyingsources,wecanhealthebody.Thosecausesinclude
stress,hiddeninfections,foodallergiesorsensitivities(http://drhyman.com/blog/2012/02/22/howhiddenfoodsensitivitiesmakeyoufat/),toxic
exposure (http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/05/19/istheretoxicwasteinyourbody2/), genetic predisposition, nutrient deficiencies, and leaky
gut.
Infact,therearejustfiverootcausesofalldisease:
1. Allergens
2. Microbesorimbalanceofthebugsinyourgut
3. Toxins(http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/05/19/istheretoxicwasteinyourbody2/)
4. Poordiet
5. Stress(http://drhyman.com/blog/2013/04/26/fivewaystoneverbestressedagain/)
Allofthesecantriggersymptomsandcreatethousandsofdiseases,includingautoimmunediseases.
Ifyouwanttocooloffinflammationinthebody,youmustfindthesource.Physiciansaremostlytaughttodiagnosediseasebysymptoms,
NOTbytheirunderlyingcause.
FunctionalMedicineteachespractitionerstounderstandthebodyasasystemtoseekthecausesofillnesstounderstandthebodysbasic
functional systems (http://drhyman.com/7keystoultrawellness/), where they go awry, and how to restore balance to understand the
interconnectionsbetweensymptomsandorgansratherthansegregatediseasesintospecialties.
This approach provides a fundamentally different way of solving medical problems, one that allows us to decipher the origins of illness and
identifythedisturbancesinbiologythatleadtosymptoms.AndthatleadsmebacktoIsabelsstory.
FromConventionalIllnesstoFunctionalHealth
ForIsabel,theonlyresponsephysicianshadtoherlifethreateningillnesswastoshutdownherimmunesystem(http://www.healthyholistic
living.com/whatweakensimmunesystems.html),leavingheratriskforcancer,infection,osteoporosis,musclewasting,andpsychiatricillness.
Buttherewasanotherway.
I simply asked the question WHY? I didnt focus on WHAT the name of her disease was, but WHY she was inflamed, WHERE this
inflammationoriginatedfrom,andHOWwecouldlocatethecausesandrestorebalancetoheroveractiveimmunesystemthatwasattacking
herownbody?
The immune system usually responds to some insult such as an allergen, a microbe, or a toxin, and then runs out of control. Finding and
removingthattriggerisessential. Login with Facebook
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In a review in the New England Journal of Medicine
Food (http://theheartysoul.com/category/food/) Body (http://theheartysoul.com/category/body/)
(http://www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/medical/pathophys/immunology/readings/AutoimmuneDiseases.pdf), researchers acknowledged that even in
a genetically predisposed person, some trigger, an environmental exposure, or change in the internal environment is usually required for
[autoimmunity]. Lifestyle (http://theheartysoul.com/category/lifestyle/) About (http://theheartysoul.com/about/)
When I initially talked to Isabel, I discovered many potential triggers for her inflammation. She was being exposed to a toxic mold,
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Stachybotrys,inherhouse.Hermotherworkedinlimestonepitsexposinghertoexcessiveamountsoffluoridewhilepregnant.Isabelhadall
herimmunizationsbefore1999whenthimerosalwasremovedfromvaccines.Shealsohadathimerosalcontainingflushoteveryyear.
Thimerosal contains mercury (http://drhyman.com/topic/mercury/), a known immune toxin. This problem became compounded by her diet,
whichincludedlargeamountsoftunaandsushishelovedandateregularly(andwhichexposedhertoevenmoremercury)andloadsofdairy
andsugar.Intheyearbeforeshegotsick,shealsohadmanycoursesofantibiotics.
Mold, mercury (http://theheartysoul.com/aspirinmakesmercurypoisoningworse/), antibiotics, sugar, gluten, and dairy all become potential
immuneirritants.
Isabels lab tests were frightening. Her muscle enzymes and liver function tests showed severe damage. She had many autoimmune
antibodies(antinuclearantibodies,rheumatoidfactor,antiSSA,antiDNA,antiRNP,lupusanticoagulant),asignthatthelevelsatwhichthe
bodywasattackingitselfwereextremelyelevated.
Othermarkersofinflammationwereextremelyhighaswell.Herwhitebloodcountandredbloodcellcountwerelow.HervitaminDwasalso
low. She had elevated levels of antibodies to gluten (http://theheartysoul.com/55diseaseslinkedtogluten/), which is a common cause of
autoimmunediseaseandtriggerssignificantintestinalinflammation.Andhermercurylevelwasextremelyhighinherurineafteraprovocation
test(theonlywaytoassesstotalbodyburdenofmetals).Normalislessthanthree.Herswas33.
At the first visit, I simply put Isabel on an antiinflammatory elimination diet to remove possible triggers of inflammation from food allergens
(http://drhyman.com/topic/foodallergies/). She stopped eating sugar, dairy, and gluten (from wheat). I gave her a multivitamin vitamins D
(http://drhyman.com/thesunshinevitaminacloserlookatvitamind1657/),B12,andB9(folate)fishoilandeveningprimroseoilallofwhich
areantiinflammatory.
I also gave her nystatin (a nonabsorbed antifungal) to treat suspected yeast (http://drhyman.com/ishiddenfungusmakingyouill
1737/)overgrowthduetothemultiplecoursesofantibiotics.IgaveherNacetylcysteine(NAC)tosupportherliverandtoldherparentstotake
heroffoftheacidblocker,thecalciumchannelblockerthatsheusedforherRaynauds,andtheintravenoussteroidsshehadbeentaking.
Iaddedprobioticstosupporthealthydigestivefunctionandreducegutinflammation.IalsostartedheronDMSA(achelatingagent)tohelp
bindthemercuryfromhertissuesandcellsandhelpherexcreteit.Tohelphergetofftheprednisone,Igaveherherbstosupportheradrenal
gland(http://theheartysoul.com/adrenalglandsupport/)function.
Seven months later, her tests were normal, including her white blood count. Her mercury came down from 33 to 16.After 11 months, her
mercurywasdownto11andhergutinflammation(http://www.healthyholisticliving.com/probioticdrinkrecipe.html)wasgone.Shewasoffall
hermedicationsandfeelinghappy,normal,andwasabletorideandshowherhorseagain.
Isabelsexperienceisnotrare,andItakeasimilarapproach(thoughnotalwaysascomprehensive)withautoimmunedisease.Considering
theseandotheramazingresults,wouldntyousayFunctionalMedicineshouldbeexpandedandmadeavailabletomorepatients?Shouldnt
weseemorecasestudiesandsuccessstorieslikeIsabels?
10StepstoReverseAutoimmuneDisease
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FunctionalMedicineremovesthebadstuff,butitalsoreplenisheswithgoodstuff.Whataretheingredientsforgreathealth?Theyincludefresh
food, light, air, water, movement, love, sleep (http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/05/20/howtosleepbetterloseweightandlive
longer/), connection, balanced hormones (http://drhyman.com/blog/2012/01/27/theultramindsolutionkey2balanceyourhormones/),
meaning,love,andpurpose.
Ifyouhaveanautoimmunedisease,IencourageyoutoworkwithaFunctionalMedicinepractitioner.TheseareamongthestrategiesItaketo
reverseRAandotherautoimmunediseases:
1. Gettestedforhiddeninfections.Workwithyourdoctortocheckforhiddeninfectionslikeyeast,viruses,bacteria,andLymeorothertick
borneillnesses.
2. Try The Blood Sugar Solution 10Day Detox Diet (http://www.amazon.com/bloodsugarsolution10day
detox/dp/0316230022/ref=sr_1_1?ie=utf8&qid=1440348908&sr=81&keywords=10+day+detox+diet+mark+hyman). My plan is designed
toeliminatemostfoodallergensandreduceinflammatoryfoods.
3. Gettestedforceliacdisease.Thisisabloodtestanydoctorcando.
4. Getcheckedforheavymetaltoxicity.Mercuryandothermetalscancauseautoimmunity.
5. Fixyourgut(http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/09/09/theultramindsolutionkey4fixyourdigestion/).Leakygutandothergutissuessuchas
overgrowthofbadbugs(yeast,bacteria,andparasites)fueltheflamesofinflammation,exacerbatingautoimmunediseases.Functional
Medicinepractitionerscantestyourstoolandemploythe5Rprogram(remove,replace,reinoculate,repairandrenew)
6. Use antiinflammatory nutrients. Great antiinflammatory nutrients that help calm your immune system include fish oil, vitamin C,
(https://familylifegoals.com/vitaminccancer/) vitamin D, and probiotics. You can find them all on my online store.
(http://www.store.drhyman.com/)
7. Try antiinflammatory herbs. Curcumin, Boswellia extract, ginger, etc. can work well. I often use Zyflamend, also known as Inflamasyn
(http://store.drhyman.com/store/show/immunesupport/640/zyflamend(formallyinflamasyn))withmypatients.
8. Exercise regularly. Regular, consistent exercise is a natural antiinflammatory. Click here
(http://danielplan.com/healthyhabits/howtoexercise/)tofindasimple,effectiveplannomatterwhatyourfitnesslevelis.
9. Practice deep relaxation (http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/05/19/stresstipscalmyourmindhealyourbody/). Stress worsens the immune
response. Relaxation for you might include yoga, deep breathing, biofeedback, or massage. You might also try my UltraCalm CD
(http://store.drhyman.com/store/show/booksandmultimedia/760/ultracalmcdasixstepplantoreducestressandeliminateanxiety).
10. Get 8 hours sleep every night.You can get 19 of my top sleep tips here (http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/05/20/howtosleepbetterlose
weightandlivelonger/).
Eventhoughautoimmunediseasesnowaffectover80millionpeople,conventionalstrategieslikepowerfulimmunesuppressingmedication
fail to address the underlying cause. Thats like taking a lot of aspirin while you are standing on a tack. The treatment is not to take more
aspirinorastrongimmunesuppressantitistoremovethetack.
Inconventionalmedicine,mostofusweretaughttodiagnosediseasebysymptoms,NOTbytheirunderlyingcause.
you struggle with and remember, they are just labels I encourage you to dig deeper and address
No matter what autoimmune disease
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underlyingcauses.Again,IstronglyencourageworkingwithaFunctionalMedicinepractitioner.Toprovidearicherarsenaloftechniquesto
heal, I also strongly recommend my ebook The 10Day Detox Autoimmune Solution (http://drhyman.com/wp
(http://theheartysoul.com)
content/uploads/2015/09/AutoimmuneSolutionFINAL.pdf).
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Ifyouveeverstruggledwithrheumatoidarthritisoranotherautoimmunedisease,didyoutaketheconventionalmedicinerouteorworkwitha
FunctionalMedicinepractitionerwhohelpedyoudigdeeperregardingtheunderlyingsource?Iwouldlovetohearyourstorybeloworonmy
Lifestyle (http://theheartysoul.com/category/lifestyle/) About (http://theheartysoul.com/about/)
Facebookpage(http://www.facebook.com/drmarkhyman).
Mark,Hyman,MD
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Mark Hyman, MD, believes that we all deserve a life of vitalityand that we have the potential to create it for ourselves. Thats why he is
dedicated to tackling the root causes of chronic disease by harnessing the power of Functional Medicine to transform healthcare. Dr. Hyman is a
practicing family physician, a nine-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in his eld.
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