Autoimmunity
Episodes
Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses her supplement stack, avoiding microplastics, creatine for brain health, and mRNA vaccine autoimmunity risks.
Dr. Dominic D'Agostino discusses how ketones affect exercise performance, reduce inflammation, and improve neurological health.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.
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Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses her supplement stack, avoiding microplastics, creatine for brain health, and mRNA vaccine autoimmunity risks.
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Dr. Dominic D'Agostino discusses how ketones affect exercise performance, reduce inflammation, and improve neurological health.
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Rhonda Vitamin D Exercise Parkinson's Epigenetics Omega-3 Fasting Melatonin Vaccine Resveratrol Sauna Insulin COVID-19 Cardiovascular AutoimmunityDr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.
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In this clip, Dr. Eran Elinav discusses the importance of the early childhood period in shaping a healthy microbiome.
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Dr. Eran Elinav discusses the complex interactions between humans and their resident gut microbiomes.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick explains how allergens in the environment may shape the immune system during early life.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses how a lack of sleep impacts the immune response.
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COVID-19 Vitamin D Nutrition Exercise Microbiome Sleep Vitamin C Omega-3 Inflammation Immune System Virus Micronutrients Vitamin E Vaccine Genetics Testosterone Estrogen Zinc Fiber AutoimmunityCOVID-19 Q&A Part 2: Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D. answers subscriber questions in a multi-part series.
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Dr. Patrick covers vitamin C's diverse aspects: bioavailability, immune function, viral protection, lung health, cancer impact, exercise effects, and more!
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COVID-19 Q&A Series Part 1: Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D. addresses subscriber questions in this multi-part series.
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Dr. Longo discusses his work that indicates that the fasting-mimicking diet holds promise for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis.
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Fasting mimicking diet treatment for multiple sclerosis (remyelinating axons & halting autoimmunity) ClipDr. Valter Longo describes how the fasting-mimicking diet can be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases, including multiple sclerosis.
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Dr. Valter Longo on Resetting Autoimmunity and Rejuvenating Systems with Prolonged Fasting & the FMDFasting Cancer Obesity Aging Heart Disease Diabetes Insulin Resistance Inflammation Stem Cells Immune System Tissue Repair Autophagy Apoptosis Insulin AutoimmunityDr. Valter Longo discusses fasting as a means to treat or prevent age-related diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and others.
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Dr. Valter Longo discusses the role of fasting and the fasting-mimicking diet in longevity, cancer & multiple sclerosis.
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Nutrition Brain Diet Epigenetics Cholesterol Omega-3 Inflammation Micronutrients Multiple Sclerosis Mitochondria Vitamin K Antioxidant AutoimmunityDr. Terry Wahls discusses the nutrition protocol she used to reverse her secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis.
Topic Pages
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Autophagy
Autophagy constrains autoimmunity by eliminating damaged organelles, limiting cytosolic DNA sensing, and modulating MHC-II self-antigen presentation.
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Hydrolyzed collagen
Hydrolyzed collagen is enzymatically cleaved collagen producing low-molecular-weight peptides absorbed intestinally as bioactive di- and tri-peptides.
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Intestinal permeability
Zonulin-mediated tight junction disassembly heightens intestinal permeability, permitting non-self antigens to activate autoreactive lymphocytes and propagate autoimmunity.
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Thymic involution
Age-associated thymic involution impairs negative selection, permitting peripheral escape of autoreactive T cells, thereby fostering autoimmunity.
News & Publications
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Milk May Exacerbate Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms www.sciencedaily.com
Antibodies that destroy myelin in multiple sclerosis may cross-react with casein, a milk protein.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and autoimmune disease caused when the immune system attacks myelin proteins on nerves, mistaking them for proteins produced by pathogens. The cause of this immune confusion is complex but may involve exposure to proteins found in cow’s milk, which anecdotally worsen MS symptoms for some patients. New research supports this anecdotal evidence, finding that MS autoantibodies cross-react with casein, the principal protein in cow’s milk.
In order to create antibodies that react to new pathogens, B cells (a type of immune cells) use somatic hypermutation, a process during which they intentionally mutate regions of their DNA involved in antibody production. These rapid mutations are needed to increase antibody repertoire, the collection of an individual’s B cell receptor and antibody sequences; however, somatic hypermutation can result in the creation of autoantibodies, which bind to self-proteins produced by the body. While autoimmune B cells are usually destroyed shortly after creation, lingering autoimmune cells can proliferate and lead to diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and MS. One reason autoantibodies persist is cross-reactivity with other proteins, such as those produced by pathogens or absorbed from the diet, especially in cases where gut leakiness increases the introduction of new proteins to the blood.
The investigators gave one group of mice an injection of casein with adjuvants, which are compounds added to vaccines to increase the body’s antibody response. To compare casein to other milk proteins, they also immunized one group of mice with alpha-lactalbumin and another with beta-lactoglobulin, both whey proteins, for a total of three mouse groups. Changes in behavior and nerve degeneration were observed at 13, 20, or 40 days after immunization. The researchers also collected blood samples from 39 patients with MS and 23 patients with other neurological diseases in order to test for cross-reactivity of autoantibodies with casein.
Mice immunized with casein exhibited a range of MS symptoms such as weakness and disorientation, while mice immunized with whey proteins did not. Immunization with casein led to a progressive increase in casein-reactive antibodies and deterioration of myelin in nerves of the lower spinal cord. The researchers found that casein-immunized mice produced autoantibodies that cross-react with myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), a protein produced by nerve cells called oligodendrocytes, which have a similar structure to casein. Finally, they found that 42 percent of participants with MS had casein-reactive antibodies compared to only 28 percent of participants with other neurological disorders.
While it is not clear from these results what role dairy consumption plays in the development of MS, the authors suggest that some patients with MS may benefit from restricting dairy in their diet.
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New research identifies critical differences between the two types of vitamin D, with vitamin D2 having a questionable impact on human health. www.sciencedaily.com
Vitamins D2 and D3 exert differing effects on the human immune system.
Scientists have identified five forms of vitamin D, but the two primary forms relevant to human health are ergocalciferol, commonly referred to as vitamin D2 (produced by invertebrates), and cholecalciferol (produced by mammals), commonly referred to as vitamin D3. Prescription vitamin D supplements in the United States typically provide D2, but over-the-counter dietary supplements and fortified foods typically provide D3. Considerable controversy exists regarding the bioequivalence of D2 and D3. Findings from a recent study suggest that D2 and D3 exert differing effects on the human immune system.
Vitamin D modulates both innate and adaptive immune responses via its interactions with immune cells, including antigen presenting cells, B cells, and T cells. Evidence suggests that people with vitamin D deficiency are at greater risk of viral infection and autoimmune disorders. This is in keeping with the widely held belief that a principal role of vitamin D is to restrain, or balance, immune system activity.
The study was part of a previous randomized placebo-controlled trial involving healthy white European and South Asian females who received 15 micrograms (600 IU) of vitamin D2 or D3 every day for 12 weeks during the winter months, when sun exposure was limited. Participants also consumed vitamin D-fortified foods (orange juice and tea biscuits) daily. The investigators used microarray analysis to measure changes in 97 of the participants' blood transcriptome (the full range of RNA molecules an organism produces) and weighed the changes against any influence of ethnic background.
They found that while the effects of both D2 and D3 showed some overlap, the two forms of the vitamin showed distinct differences in terms of changes to gene expression. In particular, D3 switched off the activity of genes involved in the regulation of the innate and adaptive immune systems. The investigators posited that these changes could make the immune system more tolerant and therefore less likely to promote autoimmunity. They also noted that vitamin D3 (and not D2) had a dramatic effect on genes involved in activation of interferon, which plays important roles in providing protection against pathogens and cancer. The investigators' analysis revealed that some of the variation in overall gene expression was likely due to ethnic differences among the participants.
These findings suggest that vitamins D2 and D3 exert differing effects on the human immune system, with D3s effects modulating tolerance and immunoreactivity. They also may have relevant implications for supplementation with vitamin D.
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Sunlight reduces the risk of developing early-onset multiple sclerosis. www.sciencedaily.com
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is critical for maintaining many aspects of human health. For example, compounds present in the skin react to UV light, initiating the production of vitamin D, a steroid hormone that participates in many physiological processes. Similarly, photoreceptors in the eyes respond to UV exposure, modulating the regulation of circadian rhythms. Findings from a new study suggest that early life exposure to ultraviolet light reduces the risk of developing early-onset multiple sclerosis (MS).
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the progressive destruction of myelin – the insulating sheath that surrounds nerves and facilitates neural transmission. The disease affects approximately 3 million people worldwide and is twice as likely to manifest in women than men. Symptom onset typically occurs between the ages of 20 and 50 years, but as many as [5 percent of people with MS experience early onset](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11205364/], with symptoms manifesting during childhood or young adulthood.
The study involved 322 children and young adults with MS (ages 3 to 22 years) and 534 healthy participants of similar ages and sexes. All the participants (or their parents) provided information about their medical history, place of residence, and sun exposure.
The authors found that among the participants who reported having spent fewer than 30 minutes outside per day during the previous summer, 19 percent had MS, while only 6 percent did not. When they accounted for other risks associated with MS, such as smoking or being female, they found that those who spent 30 to 60 minutes outside per day were 52 percent less likely to develop MS, compared to those who spent fewer than 30 minutes outside per day.
These findings suggest that early life UV exposure reduces the risk of developing MS. Although these findings were based on observational data and do not assign causality, the authors of the study pointed out that they align with results of other studies suggesting that low UV exposure is associated with other neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia. Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, evidence suggests that the fasting-mimicking diet may be beneficial in treating the condition. Learn more about the fasting-mimicking diet in this episode featuring Dr. Valter Longo.
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Maternal immune activation during pregnancy increases the severity of autism symptoms in children. www.eurekalert.org
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition characterized by impaired social interaction, behavioral problems, and poor communication. The disorder typically manifests in early childhood and is slightly more common among boys than girls. Roughly one in 54 people living in the United States has ASD. Findings from a new study suggest that maternal immune activation during pregnancy increases the severity of ASD in offspring.
Maternal immune activation due to autoimmune disorders, asthma, or allergies switches on the activity of inflammatory pathways and proinflammatory molecules. Many of these molecules can cross the blood–brain barrier and the placenta, potentially disrupting fetal development. Elevated levels of these proinflammatory molecules have been found at birth or during development in some people with ASD – a finding that has been linked with increased severity of symptoms.
The study involved 363 children who were enrolled in the Autism Phenome Project or the Girls with Autism Imaging of Neurodevelopment studies, along with their mothers. The authors of the study assessed children’s behavioral and emotional problems and reviewed the mothers' pregnancy histories.
They found that asthma was the most common immune condition among the mothers, but other conditions, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis were reported as well. Roughly 20 percent of the mothers of male children with ASD had asthma. Maternal immune conditions were associated with increased behavioral and emotional problems but not cognitive function in both sexes.
These findings indicate that maternal immune conditions may influence the severity of ASD symptoms in offspring and the severity of these symptoms may vary between males and females. Although there is no cure for ASD, robust data demonstrate that sulforaphane, a bioactive compound derived from cruciferous vegetables, especially broccoli sprouts, may be beneficial in reducing many of the behavioral and emotions symptoms associated with the condition.
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Enzymes produced by common oral bacteria show promise for treating celiac disease. www.sciencedaily.com
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by an inflammatory response to eating gluten. An estimated 1 percent of people worldwide have celiac disease, but diagnosing the condition is difficult, often due to vague, seemingly minor, or even absent symptoms. Consequently, the epidemiology of celiac disease is best described by the “iceberg model.” That is, for every diagnosed case of celiac disease (the visible part of the iceberg), roughly five cases remain undiagnosed (the hidden part of the iceberg). Findings from a new study indicate that enzymes from Rothia bacteria may be useful in treating people who have celiac disease.
Gluten is a composite of two proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. During normal digestion, enzymes break proteins down into groups of amino acids called peptides. Most peptides can be broken down further, taken up in the intestine, and then transported to the body’s tissues for use. However, gluten cannot be broken down by the digestive enzymes and can provoke an immune response in susceptible people, causing celiac disease.
Rothia bacteria are regular inhabitants of the mouth and respiratory tract. They rarely cause infections, except in some immunocompromised people. Rothia bacteria can break down the peptides in gluten that provoke the immune response.
The authors of the study extracted subtilisins, a type of enzyme found in the membrane of Rothia bacteria, and monitored the enzymes' activity. They also monitored the activity of food-grade subtilisins, enzymes used to make natto, a fermented soybean product. They found that both types of bacterial subtilisins effectively broke down the immunogenic peptides present in gluten, demonstrating that subtilisins from Rothia bacteria or other food-grade bacteria might be useful in treating celiac disease.
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Intermittent fasting (every other day) increased gut bacteria diversity and reduced inflammation, demyelination, and axonal damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) animal model. A small pilot trial in humans with MS showed many similar changes to the gut microbiome and blood adipokines such as leptin. The effects of fasting on immune cells included a reduction of pro-inflammatory IL-17-producing T cells and increased numbers of T regulatory cells which prevent autoimmunity.
The small pilot trial in humans showed increased bacteria richness in species that have previously been shown to promote T regulatory cell accumulation in the colon.
Interestingly, this study did what is called a metagenomic analysis and found that the ketone pathway was enhanced in the gut microbiome by intermittent fasting. This is super interesting because bacteria in the gut normally produce short chain fatty acids and ketones from fermentable fiber but suggests that the gut microbiome regulates its own ketone body metabolism during fasting!