ESSENTIALS OF AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASES

By: Dr. Jesse A. Stoff

As a clinical immunologist, I help people with different sorts of immune based disorders such as cancer, such as immune deficiencies, allergies, and autoimmune diseases. The common denominator about these diverse illnesses is that they all represent a significant dysfunction and level of damage to the underlying structure and/or functioning of the immune system. When we're looking at autoimmune diseases, we're looking at a very particular area of damage to the immune system. There are over 40 different types of autoimmune diseases. Here on Long Island, New York, we actually have some of the highest incidents of thyroiditis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, found anywhere in the United States.

This, they believe, has to do with the toxins that we're exposed to in this unique environment on Long Island. There's some toxin they believe that's in the water that we've been exposed to, perhaps even years ago that over a period of time has resulted in this production of thyroiditis. Exactly what that toxin is or how this has progressed is still a matter of some research. But nonetheless, it is a fact and a big problem in this area. When we have an autoimmune disease, the immune system is damaged and confused and making antibodies against itself. So when we're looking at thyroiditis, for example, there are known triggers to this sort of dysfunction.

There are different sorts of heavy metals that are known to cause inflammation and lead to an abnormal immune response that could lead to an attack on a specific organ or structure. But also, there are different viruses that are known to attack the thyroid and even a bacteria called Yersinia that lives in the digestive tract, that produces a toxin that specifically attacks the thyroid and could lead to the production of thyroiditis. Thyroiditis, as all of the autoimmune diseases are, have to be treated through an integrated approach. When we're looking at the treatment, we're looking at ways of number one, reducing the inflammatory response that the abnormal antibodies are generating, and we're also looking at ways to distract these antibodies from attacking the target organ. And this is called using an alternate antigen strategy.

When we're treating somebody with thyroiditis, we use a natural form of a thyroid preparation such as Armour Thyroid or Nature-Throid or Westhroid or compounded thyroid, some natural organic form of thyroid molecules to give to the patients even in very low doses. And what happens then is that the abnormal antibodies will perceive this material as more abnormal than a person's own thyroid and preferentially attack this material taking the stress off their thyroid almost immediately. This immediately starts to reduce the inflammation. They start to get an immediately improved response of their thyroid and thyroid hormone, takes the stress off very quickly.

Combine this with different supplements that are antiinflammatory, Omega-3 and Omega-7 fatty acids, vitamin C, and other supplements, and now we have the beginnings of a powerful strategy to stabilize this type of autoimmune disease. But this kind of thinking follow through for all autoimmune diseases. Try to find an alternate antigen if we can, use the anti-inflammatories to reduce the damage that the autoantibodies are causing, and then we use different substances, often antigens to help shift the immune response back into a place of balance. So, instead of having an abnormal response through one of the major pathways of the immune system called a TH2 pathway, generating high levels of abnormal antibodies, we can seek a new balance of repair and restore and restoration between the TH1 and TH2 pathways, allowing for a new level of immune system function and immune system health.

In this way, I'm able to help the vast majority of patients that come to me, even with advanced, severe, and chronic autoimmune diseases. Whether it be thyroiditis, whether it be lupus, whether it be autoimmune pancreatitis resulting in type 1 diabetes, so on and so forth. The underlying rationale is the same, the immunology is the same, the supplements and materials I use may be different, but the rationale of restoring balance to the immune system is possible and it could be done without using a lot of harsh chemicals, in most cases.

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DR. JESSE A. STOFF is an internationally renowned physician with extensive credentials in clinical immunology and holistic medicine. A graduate of New York Medical College, he pursued extensive post-doctoral training including a fellow- ship at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital in London, England. He has authored/co-authored countless articles and 8 books including co-authoring the bestseller "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Hidden Epidemic" and The Prostate Miracle.

This article is produced and written by the writing team at IMMUNOLOGY TODAY- The Official Newsletter of Integrative Medicine of N.Y. of Westbury NY-- Edited and co-published by Dr. Jesse A. Stoff exclusively for the purposes of this blogpost (Immunology Today) and rejuvenatesoliutions.com The publisher(s) hold all rights (c) to all elements, images and content herein.  All distribution, sharing or re-posting of this article is only with the express permission from Dr. Stoff and Integrative Medicine of NY (formerly Linchitz Medical Wellness). 265 Post Ave. Suite 380 Westbury, NY 11590  |  516.759.4200  |  www.StoffImmunology.com.   Rejuvenate! is a registered trademark of Intermedia Communications Ltd. All written content in this newsletter is produced by the Stoff Institute for Medical Research (SIMR) exclusively for private distribution at the Integrative Medicine of NY ©2016- All Rights Reserved.

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