Eat To Beat Autoimmune and Bolster Your Immunity

Gluten creates a leaky gut in anyone who eats it; ¹ Effect of Gliadin on Permeability of Intestinal Biopsy Explants from Celiac Disease Patients and Patients with Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, Hollon, J. et. al., Nutrients. 2015 Mar; 7(3): 1565–1576, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4377866/#; and a leaky gut is the fast path to autoimmunity. Most people who are sensitive to gluten are also sensitive to casein, the protein in animal dairy. In addition to promoting obesity and diabetes — both risk factors for autoimmunity and COVID-19 — sugar and processed foods block the immune system from functioning for up to 5 hours after eating it. ²Sanchez, A., et al.; Role of Sugars in Human Neutrophilic Phagocytosis; American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; Nov 1973; 261:1180-1184; http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/26/11/1180.abstract

While the EPA sets guidelines for allowable limits of contaminants in drinking water, there is no guarantee that those standards are being met. Our local county public water supply is treated with fluoride, and may also contain any number of 2,100 known toxins commonly found in water, like lead, pesticides, bacteria, iron, nitrates, nitrites, chlorine, and copper. Many of my clients and students who use Alexapure or Berkey stainless countertop carbon block water filters have reported the reduction or complete elimination of migraines and increased energy. Don’t forget to add a pinch of sea salt to each glass of water to make sure you’re getting essential trace minerals and absorbing the filtered water.

Beyond the usual suspects, gluten, dairy and sugar, it turns out I’m also sensitive to eggs, soy, corn, grains, almonds, and vanilla (argh). I got confirmation on this from a recent finger prick blood spot IgG test. This is not a life-sentence on all these foods, it just means that I need to remove them for several months to give my immune system and chance to calm down and stop fighting my foods so it is available to combat real threats. For help in finding your food sensitivities and addressing all of the inflammatory F.I.G.H.T.S. factors that must be explored to reverse autoimmune disorders, consider giving yourself the gift of Beat Autoimmune Academy.

Eating a Paleo template diet is one of the best strategies to reduce obesity, diabetes, and beat an autoimmune condition. Unfortunately our soils have become depleted of key nutrients and we simply can’t expect to get all the necessary nutrients we need through food. Supplementing with targeted nutrients long-term is one of the best strategies to replenish your depleted stores and defend against COVID-19. I take a number of supplements known to improve resilience to infection, including 1 ml liposomal methyl B-complex; 2 – 3 gr corn-free vitamin C; 5K IU liposomal D3 + K2; 30 mg zinc carnosine; 200 mcg selenium + vitamin E; 1 ml liposomal glutathione; 300 mg Co-Q10; 200 mg R-lipoic acid; 500 mg curcumin; 500 mg resveratrol; and 3 mg timed release melatonin before bed.

Intermittent fasting, also known as “time restricted feeding,” reduces inflammation, strengthens the gut barrier, and helps you move from being a sugar burner to a more metabolically flexible, fat burner. Beyond metabolic benefits, fasting has been shown to rejuvenate the immune system through a process called autophagy, which clears out old, “senolytic” (damaged) cells, making way for new, more robust immune cells. I typically stop eating at 6 pm and don’t eat anything until 10 am or later for a 16 hour fast, also known as 16:8, for the 8 hour eating window. A couple days per week extend the fast by skipping dinner, and a couple of days I eat breakfast earlier to ensure my body knows it’s safe and not starving. 

Herbal antimicrobials and coconut-based compounds are safe and effective for infections of all types, and are often more effective than antibiotics.³ Liu Q, Meng X, Li Y, Zhao CN, Tang GY, Li HB. Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Spices. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(6):1283. Published 2017 Jun 16. doi:10.3390/ijms18061283; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5486105/ I love simplicity so select herbs that cover all the bases. To deal with lingering Lyme co-infections, reactivated Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), and potential candida overgrowth I take and rotate Lauricidin’s pure coconut-based Monolaurin, Karuna or Pure Encapsulations’ Olive Leaf extract, and Designs For Health’s GI Microb-X, a powerful infection-flighting blend of herbs including wormwood, black walnut, bearberry, barberry, and berberine.

This one is the easiest way to fill up your immune system reserves and protect against autoimmunity, dementia, and viral threats. Experts argue about optimal levels. Personally I get my D levels tested twice a year and optimize my level to 70 – 100 ng/ml, often with sun exposure, but also with 5K IU Quicksilver Scientific’s Liposomal D3 + K2.

Organic produce has up to 60% more antioxidants—protection against autoimmune disease and viral infections—and up to 100 times lower pesticide residue than conventionally farmed produce.⁴19. Baranski, M., et. al., Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a systematic literature review and meta-analyses, British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 112, Issue 5 14 September 2014, pp. 794-811; https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/higher-antioxidant-and-lower-cadmium-concentrations-and-lower-incidence-of-pesticide-residues-in-organically-grown-crops-a-systematic-literature-review-and-metaanalyses/33F09637EAE6C4ED119E0C4BFFE2D5B1 I try to eat 100% grass-fed, organic meats, oils, and veggies — basically, everything I eat and drink. By going all organic we massively reduce our consumption of chemicals. Remember, you are what you eat ate!

By emphasizing healthy fats, moderating protein intake, and restricting carbs (roughly 70% fat, 25% protein and 5% carbs) with the ketogenic (keto) diet, energy soars, brain function improves, inflammation is lowered, insulin resistance can be reversed; and the ketogenic diet might be protective against viral infections like the flu. Yale University published a recent study showing that mice fed a ketogenic diet and infected with the influenza virus had a higher survival rate than mice on a normal, high-carb diet.