FUNDAY

Autoimmunity
Autoimmune disorders are a symptom of adrenal dysfunction. The adrenal glands produce, among other things, steroids that modulate the immune response and reduce inflammation in the body. Though doctors tell us that autoimmune disorders are caused from an overactive immune system, this is obviously untrue.

The easiest piece of evidence to prove this is the fact that things that suppress the immune system make autoimmune disorders worse. Ever notice how stress makes autoimmune symptoms worse? So does caffeine, ephedrine, nicotine, and steroids. Yes, steroids make the underlying condition worse. Steroids do reduce the symptoms of autoimmune disorders, such as inflammation in RA and weakness in MS.

The reason they reduce the symptoms is because the steroids are anti-inflammatory and they suppress immune function to the point an immune response cannot be mounted. Though, this is a real stupid way to treat an autoimmune disorder since wiping out the immune system leaves a person open to many other illnesses, such as cancer. The steroid Prednisone also creates other adverse effects, such as osteoporosis. And what happens when you try to come off of the steroids? You will have a severe rebound reaction with increased autoimmune symptoms. Why? Because steroids DO NOT cure autoimmune disorders. And steroids, like stimulants, and stress atrophy the adrenal glands reducing the output of the body's own anti-inflammatories and immune modulators.

Although both are steroids, the real difference lies in the concentration. The body generates steroids in small amounts as needed. The long term substitute of high dose, stronger steroids, leads to a shut down of the production of corticosteroids by the adrenal glands, and a dependence on external sources of steroids as seen by the exacerbation of symptoms with Prednisone withdrawal. Immune modulation by the adrenals allows the body to produce normal high affinity antibodies. High affinity antibodies are specific to their target, allowing them to tag only foreign antigens for destruction by white blood cells. But this is where we run in to another common medical myth. We are taught in conventional medicine that all antibodies are specific to their target. This is obviously untrue since the body does not go out of its way to destroy its own tissues.

To understand this process we can look at the production of monoclonal antibodies for disease research. To manufacture monoclonals they start with a serum sample, in which an antigen target is added. Various antibodies, both specific and nonspecific, attach to these antigen targets. The antigen target is then removed and placed in a solution of weak sodium sulfate, which removes the nonspecific low affinity antibodies. These are the same types of antibodies involved in autoimmunity, and that make HIV and hepatitis virus antigen tests inaccurate. The target is then added to a slightly stronger solution to remove the slightly more specific antibodies. This is repeated several times until only the high affinity antibodies, which are specific to their target, are left.

These specific antibodies are then used to manufacture monoclonal antibodies. So as we can see antibodies to the same target can differ in their specificity to their intended antigen. Another example to this would be the connective tissue disorders in women with silicone breast implants. The manufacturers claim that the silicone is inert in the body. Although this claim has been proven to be false. Anti-silicone antibodies have been found in response to both liquid silicone, and solid silicone. Solid silicone is used in the manufacture of silicone drainage tubes and the encapsulation bags for implants. Anyway low affinity antibodies developed in response to the silicone mistake collagen in human connective tissue for the intended target silicone because of the shared similar structure of silica in silicone and connective tissue.

Treatment of autoimmune disorders should start with building up the adrenal glands to properly regulate the immune response. Vitamin C is the most important nutrient for proper adrenal health, though I do not like synthetic vitamin C (ascorbic acid), sold in powders, crystals, capsules, tablets, and liquids. Synthetic C is very unstable, especially if in liquid form, or if exposed to heat or light. Synthetic C is also less active than natural vitamin C. Amla berries are the highest source of vitamin C, and the most stable. My next choice would be camu camu, followed by acerola cherry. The next most important nutrient for the adrenal glands is the vitamin pantothenic acid.

The highest herbal source for this vitamin is bee pollen. Be careful though if you are allergy prone. Herbs that support adrenal function include schisandra berries (my favorite), ashwaganda, nettle leaf, Siberian ginseng (cijuwa, eleuthro), seaweeds, suma, licorice root (also a natural steroid so use in small doses), Arctic root, and astragalus. Remember to avoid all stimulants, and try to keep your stress levels down as much as possible. And steroids cannot be cut off cold turkey. They must be gradually reduced. Licorice root actually increases the effects of Prednisone and reduces its excretion. Therefore, when using licorice root Prednisone dosage may need to be reduced. Discuss reducing your Prednisone dosage with your doctor if using licorice root while taking Prednisone. What triggers autoimmunity is not always certain. Although microbes have been implicated, or suspected, in many cases.

Examples


Autoimmune disorder & Suspected or known triggers


Juvenile diabetes: Coxsackie virus, rubella, Cytomegalovirus. Also linked to vaccines utilizing live viruses including DPT, MMR, rotavirus, and hepatitis vaccines.

Multiple sclerosis: Human herpes virus type 6 (HHV6)

Rheumatoid arthritis and reactive arthritis (Reiter's Syndrome): Chlamydia bacteria, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), gonorrheal bacteria, salmonella, Mycobacterium, enterobacteria, shigella bacteria, campylobacter bacteria

Crohn's disease: Mycobacterium

Ulcerative colitis: Mycobacterium.

Lupus: EBV

Sjorgren's syndrome: Hepatitis viruses, Coxsackie virus, and EBV

Hashimoto's thyroidosis: EBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1

Myasthenia gravis: HCV, and possibly other viruses Therefore, antimicrobials are recommended in the treatment of autoimmune disorders as well. Excellent antimicrobials that kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi include andrographis, chaparral, pau d' arco, and amla.