Understanding AutoImmunity
Dr Kyle Christensen DC May 2018
Recently I’ve had the opportunity to complete a course in
autoimmune diseases. It was a unique
course in that it didn’t simply describe the variety autoimmune conditions but
the emphasis was on teaching us how to correct, resolve and overcome them. An
autoimmune condition is one in which the body begins to attack itself as though
it were an infectious disease, necrotic (dead) tissue, or something foreign,
rather than repairing itself as is the regular course of healing. When I was
studying chiropractic in college over 30 years ago, there were only a handful
of conditions that were considered autoimmune. We are now rapidly approaching
over 200 conditions that are classified as autoimmune.
Of course, we must ask the question – What is going on
here?! We live in the most modern technologically advanced civilization in the
history of the world and we keep getting sicker. Yes, we live longer, but not
in better health. It is a sad commentary that the United States comprises of
only 4.4% of the worlds population, yet we consume over 75% of the prescribed
drugs. Youch!
Here are a few major concepts that I have learn:
ALL DISEASE
EVENTUALLY BECOME AUTOIMMUNE
·
Low-level chronic infections lead to
autoimmunity
·
Weak immune system leads to autoimmunity
·
Necrosis (damaged, destroyed, dead tissue) leads
to autoimmunity
·
Drugs do not address autoimmune issues
·
Chronic infections need to be dealt with in all
autoimmunity
As follows is a common cascade of events that can eventually
result in an autoimmune condition:
Can you find yourself
somewhere on this continuum?
It can begin with
some sort of assault:
o
Infectious
Exposure (from human, animal, mosquito or tic carrying a pathogen),
o
Toxicity
– from repeated exposure to toxic
foods, water, pesticides, drugs, etc. or as a result of exposure during fetal
development
o
from childhood Vaccinations (because of adjuvants such as aluminum and toxins such
as mercury)
The stress and strain of this can depress the immune system
and lead to Acute infectious illness
(earaches, bladder infection, bronchial infection, etc.) which are far too
often treated with Antibiotics
which,
Wipes out the Gut Flora
(both the probiotics =good and bad-biotics =bad), which
Damage the lining the Intestinal
Tract, which can
Leads to a Leaky Gut (with
symptoms of indigestion, reflux, gas, constipation and/or diarrhea) causing
increased permeability (absorption) of incompletely digested foods, which
Causes Antibody Responses
and Allergies, which further weaken, compromise and depress the Immune System, which
Can allow Pathogens
(harmful virus, bacteria, fungus, etc.) to proliferate (usually in the weakest
organ, gland or tissue – weakened through injury, toxicity or a genetic
predisposition)
These pathogens can be very highly intelligent or sneaky and
shroud themselves disguised as normal tissue (called Stealth Pathogens) allowing them to slip under the surveillance
radar of the immune systems scrutinizing watch, which
Results in Low-Level
Chronic Infections (a lingering illness that just doesn’t get better as ALL
infectious illnesses should), which can lead to
An antibody response (or the immune system identifying
healthy organs, glands or tissue as a foreign invaders that must be attacked
and defeated) resulting in dysfunction, pain and inflammation, which
by definition is Autoimmunity.
An autoimmune disease or illness is identified or labeled by what part of the
body is being attacked. The thyroid gland = hypothyroidism, nerves = multiple
sclerosis, many varied problems with Lyme Disease, Chronic Fatigue/muscles =
fibromyalgia.
Whew! Did you follow that? You can enter this scenario at
any level but
With multiple infections/illnesses, many undergo repeated
antibiotic use, which accelerates the spiral toward autoimmunity. This is often
compounded with a poor diet, poor sleep and chronic stress.
The medical approach is often to figure out what is the
offending pathogen – Borrelia in Lyme disease, H. Pylori in the stomach,
Epstein Barr in the nervous system, etc.
and then drugs, often antibiotics are prescribed to kill the offending
microbe or manage the symptoms. Sounds
reasonable, but it doesn’t really work. It doesn’t work because the framework
of the immune system is broken. The digestive tract is compromised which
controls or mediates 70% of your immune function. If the innate or primary
immune system is damaged, there is little hope of a lasting recovery. If the
fish bowl is dirty and in need of being cleaned, it doesn’t make much sense to
inoculate (vaccinate) the fish against disease and drop him back in the dirty
bowl. We, like the gold fish, must enjoy a clean and health promoting
environment if we expect to maintain our health.
This innate or primary immune system is the body’s inherent
ability to keep us healthy. It has been
expressed that we do not have an immune system, but rather WE ARE AN IMMUNE
SYSTEM. The medical approach of developing acquired immunity for specific
diseases through vaccination has sadly proven to be a false notion. Current
scientific research has discovered that our bodies are far more intelligent
that previous assumed. Immune response cells actually have the ability to adapt
in order to combat a multiplicity of pathogens rather than the “one antigen to
one pathogen” response as previous taught in medicine. We have also observed that pathogens (virus,
bacteria, fungi, etc.) mutate and change, which is why flu vaccines are rarely
effective because those wily infectious pathogens keep on changing. It makes much more sense to heal and
strengthen the immune system, which has the ability to adapt to the
ever-changing microbial environment.
Our body’s immune system is designed to clean up problems
that occur as a natural course of living. All cells have a predetermined life
cycle. When a cell gets old and it is time for it to retire, the immune system
goes to work and neatly packages up the cellular parts to either be recycled or
carried away as waste. It truly is very clean and efficient. However, if a cell dies as a result of being
overwhelmed by infection or direct tissue damage (a severe injury – imagine
direct blunt trauma), cells can be killed (called necrosis) and instead of the
cells being neatly packaged and carried away, the cell spews it guts, cell
wall, DNA and everything else everywhere. BLAM!
The internal clean up process involves “antibodies”. The following
analogy can you us understand the role of antibodies in our immune system.
Imagine for a moment we are driving down the highway and as
we drive by the prison we notice a man in a bright orange jumpsuit running as
fast as he can through the field behind the prison. Humm, that doesn’t look
right. If we were an antibody, we would
not jump out of our car and attempt to apprehend him, but rather as an
antibody, we would pick up the phone, call 911 and alert them. “Hey, I
just thought you’d like to know, there’s some guy in an orange jumpsuit running
through the field behind the prison”. This is what an antibody does –
Alerts the immune system. It does not fight the battle, simply alerts the
system. So that the immune system can rally its forces to fight the
battle.
Antibodies are a good thing.
Because if for example a liver cell somehow gets dislodged and floats
through the blood stream and ends up in the bone marrow, the antibody will
alert the immune system saying in essence “Hey!
You don’t belong here. I’m telling the immune system to come and take care of
you.” This mechanism keeps things in
good order.
However, when our bodies are damaged or compromised through
infection or necrosis (damaged tissue that dies), the immune system can become
overwhelmed resulting in antibodies being created to clean things up. With cellular DNA being strewn all over the
place (cells killed by infection or direct damage), antibodies may now tell the
immune system to attack all muscle cells because it is working so valiantly to
clean up that specific tissue that is not where it belongs. As a result, the immune system is not only
cleaning up the tissue in the wrong place, but also that same tissue right
where it belongs. This in essence is an autoimmune response. The body attacking cells because of
misinformation by the antibodies, which have become hyper-alert due to
infection or necrosis.
Here’s a brief analogy to help you understand the
relationship of your immune system and pathogens.
The mosquito does not create the stagnant water. The
mosquito is opportunistic and finds stagnant water to proliferate. Likewise,
pathogens do not create damaged or necrotic tissue, they are opportunistic and
take advantage of diseased or damaged tissue. In other words a healthy immune
system is resistant to pathogen overgrowth, while a damaged, stressed or
compromised immune system can allow the cascading effects that may lead down
dangerous places. This explains why some
get sick if exposed to illness and others do not. It is integrity of the immune
system rather than being exposed or just dumb luck.
An advantage of living in our time and day is that we can
each learn from the wisdom and experience of those who have gone before
us. I am so blessed to have been taught
by brilliant and compassionate men and women whose lives have been and are
dedicated to ferreting out and applying the truth regardless of where is
originates. We do not eschew (deliberately avoid) medicine or its discoveries,
but we learn from them, understanding that knowledge is obtained often by
making incorrect assumptions but have the humility and courage to learn and
grow, if the goal is to truly help mankind, rather than financially profit from
illness and misery. Sadly, we live in a
time where greed, control and power can overrule compassion and common sense.
I have observed that a patient with an autoimmune condition
that always has major digestive issues. Additionally, I have learned that we
cannot have chronic or long-term issues without significant emotional issues
that come as a result of it and perhaps even preceded your illness. Diet,
sleep, positive relationship and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle must also
be addressed. For many of you, you have done this already, but are still sick
and suffering. My point is: Regaining
your health in your case may not be a simple straightforward process. It can be
very tricky. Autoimmunity must be addressed from multiple perspectives and
approaches in order for a successful outcome.
The key to recovery from autoimmunity is to heal the
digestive system, immune systems, kill the stealthy pathogens and heal the
damaged tissues, which have fallen prey to your illness (as best we can). Then
of course, prevention of future problems is insured by a healthy lifestyle.
People can and do get well from these seemingly hopeless
conditions. Through my course of study and practice, we have developed several
protocols that can help those suffering from one or more of the myriad of
autoimmune conditions.
If this seems like something you or a loved one may be
dealing with, give us a call. We just may be able to provide answers and help.
Blessings,
Dr Kyle Christensen
May 2018
AutoImmune Recovery Protocols
Dr Kyle Christensen May
2018
The key to recovery from autoimmunity is to rebuild the
immune systems, kill the stealthy pathogens, heal the digestive system, and
restore the damaged tissues (as best we can). Then of course, prevention of
future problems is insured by a healthy lifestyle.
We recommend several options for recovery. The first is
using products from Standard Process. We hardily endorse these great products
and thousands have found success with these products and protocols. Secondly,
for those who would like, we also offer herbal remedies that can be made on
your own that will replace some of the MediHerb products (the herbal line from
Standard Process). When making your own remedies from formulas we have
developed, you can save money as well as create quantities sufficient for
yourself and those you seek to care for.
Of course, a healthy diet, adequate sleep and relaxation,
moderate exercise, keeping well hydrated, and allergy elimination treatments
(if needed) are important. Your emotional and spiritual health cannot be overlooked.
We have tools and guidelines that can help. Understand we are not interested in
a quick and shallow fix that will only temporarily ease symptoms. The goal is
true health. True recovery will take effort and some changes. Much of what you have done is right on
target. Here we give you a systematic program that can make the decisive
difference.
We are here for you
to answer you questions and concerns. To guide you and help motivate you.
Blessings,
Dr Kyle Christensen
Rebuilding the Immune System
This is the first key in your recovery. If you don’t feel
well and haven’t for a while, you need to start here. Many suffer from chronic
low-level infections. Having a healthy and robust immune system is vital to
your recovery.
Plan for 2-3 months for rebuilding the immune system
(usually feeling better in 3-4 weeks)
Standard Process
Protocol
1. Echinacea Premium 2-3/day
2. Rehmannia Complex 3-4/day
3. Immuplex 3-6/day
4. Three Kings (Gold/Frankincense &
Myrrh) 6 capsules/day
5. PMG (protomorphogen – the protein of
the DNA found within the nucleus of the cell – each cell type having a
different protomorphogen) – use the one where they have symptoms
Work up to taking 6 per day
Take on empty (30 minutes before
eating or 2 hours after eating)
Additional you can add for a quicker, better result
6. Vitanox 1-2/day
7. Calcium Lactate 1 tsp-1 Tbs/day
8. Standard
Process – Daily Fundementals Packets
(1 packet morning and 1 packet evening containing: 3 Catalyn, 1Trace
Mineral-B12, 2 Tuna Omega-3 oil)
Why take a Protomorphogen
Protomorphogens (pro-toe-more-fo-gen)
or PMG supplements manufactured by Standard Process that will help your
organ/gland or tissue that may be having a problem as result of autoimmunity.
Protomorphogens are the protein from the DNA of the cells. Protomorphogens tie
up the negative antibodies and calls off the immune attack of the organ, gland
or tissue. PMG buys time for the body to heal by diverting the antibodies away
from the tissue so it can heal. PMG calms down the autoimmune response to that
tissue. PMG are made from and are for specific organs, glands or tissues.
Four Functions of
Protomorphogens (PMG)
1. Acts as a Decoy: The
immune system Antibodies attacks the PMG in the digestive tract instead of the
organ or gland
2. Oral Tolerance/desensitization/tolerization:
Consuming an antigen (the PMG) orally makes the immune system less aggressive
against itself.
3. A Rich source of mircoRNA,
which help regulate gene expression in all cells while helping to rebuild
healthy DNA.
4. Nutrition: protein &
trace minerals in the PMG provide nutritional building block to restore and
rebuild damaged or compromised organs, glands and tissues.
Protocol for taking a Protomorphogen
PMG’s are best taken on an
empty stomach - 30 min before eating or 2 hours after eating/before bed
Build up your dosage of PMG
over a week
Take 1 tablet morning, then 1
evening for 2 days
Take 2 tablets morning, 2
evening for 3-4 days
then 3 in the morning, 3
evening
If you have any reaction
(histamine response – runny nose, feeling achy) this is actually a positive
response letting you know we have found the correct area to work on because the
immune system is reacting to the protomorphogen. You may need to back off the
amount of PMG or take it with food to minimize the reaction. Occasionally some
need and can only take small doses at first. Again, if you experience a
reaction – you are definitely on the right track – you just need to proceed
more slowly.
Dr Kyle Christensen 2018
Dr Christensen’s Herbal Remedy Alternatives for Rebuilding the
Immune System
Many of you, like myself, are always looking for ways you
can do something yourself and by doing so save some money. By making your own
powerful, potent, fast and effective remedies, you will gain greater insight and
understanding of these remedies as well as make plenty of formula for yourself
and your recovery.
1.
Replace MediHerb Echinacea Premium with Dr Christensen’s Immune Syrup (Echinacea Angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Cat’s
Claw, Pau d’Arco, Eleuthero, Cinnamon)
2.
Replace MediHerb’s Rheumannia 3-4/day or Dr
Christensen’s Rehmannia Plus (Rehmannia,
Bupleurum, Feverfew, Sarsaparilla)
3. Standard
Process Immuplex 3-6/day
4. Three Kings (Gold/Frankincense &
Myrrh) 6 capsules/day
5. Standard
Process PMG (protomorphogen – the protein of the DNA found within the nucleus
of the cell – each cell type having a different protomorphogen) – use the one
where they have symptoms (Adrenals, Thyroid, Pancreas, Muscles, Bones, etc.)
For an even better response, we recommend adding
6. Replace
MediHerb’s Vitanox 1-2/day or Dr Christensen’s Rosemary Formula
(Rosemary, Green Tea, Turmeric, Cacao)
7. Standard
Process – Daily Fundementals Packets
(1 packet morning and 1 packet evening containing: 3 Catalyn, 1Trace
Mineral-B12, 2 Tuna Omega-3 oil)
Clearing Chronic Infections -Stealth
Pathogen Protocol
Once your immune system has been aroused and you are feeling
somewhat better (typically 3 to 4 weeks into the Immune building phase, you may
begin clearing chronic infections. These are often referred to as stealth
pathogens, which are harmful virus, bacteria, yeast, mold, etc. that go
undetected or only minimally detected by the immune system.
These formulae are designed to kill, eliminate and remove
stealth pathogens. Repeat this 2 week protocol for 6-10 Cycles (3-5 months).
Standard Process
Protocol
Part ONE:
1-4 days
1. MediHerb
Artemisisinin Complex, 3 bid
2. MediHerb
Myrrh Forte, 4 bid
Part TWO:
5-14 days
1. MediHerb
Viranon, 1 tid
2. MediHerb
Echinacea Premium, 1 tid
Dr Christensen
Remedies for Clearing Chronic Infections
Part ONE:
1-4 days
Replace Artemisisinin Complex, 3 bid with Dr Christensen’s Sweet Annie/Myrrh Complex
(Artemisia annua, Myrrh, Sarsaparilla) – take ¼ to ½ tsp 3 times daily
Part TWO:
5-14 ays
Replace MediHerb Viranon with Dr Christensen’s Stealth
Pathogen Formula (Thuja, Lomatium, St John’s Wort, Licorice root) ½ tsp 3
times daily
Replace Echinacea Premium with Dr Christensen Immune
Syrup ½ tsp 3 times daily
Gut Flora Restoration and Healing a
Leaky Gut Program
Weed, Seed & Feed
for 10-12 weeks
Standard Process
Formulas
2 days Sat/Sunday Weeding:
·
MediHerb Gut Flora Complex 2 bid
·
MediHerb Garlic Forte 2 bid
5 days M-F Seeding & Feeding (Do both the Seed and
Feed simultaneously)
·
Standard Process Lact-Enz 2-3 bid and/or
ProSynbiotic 2 bid
·
Cyruta Plus 6-9 = 2 tablets 3 times daily –
Cyruta heals and seals
·
Sauerkraut, KimChi, Kombucha, Kefir, etc. daily
·
Standard Process Lactic Acid Yeast 3 bid
·
Standard Process Prebiotic Inulin start with ½
bid, then increase by ½ tsp every 3 days. work up to 1 ½ tsp bid
·
Prebiotic Diet – Beans, flax seeds, bananas,
berries, asparagus, greens, garlic, onions – non-digestible carbs that feed the
probiotics. When prebiotics and
probitoics are combined, they work together to create a healthy environment inside
the gut while promoting proper digestion.
·
Vitanox 1 tid
Take Daily
·
Dermatrophin 2 or 3 3 times daily on empty
stomach
Dr Christensen
Remedies for Restoring the Gut Flora and Healing a Leaky Gut
2 days Sat/Sunday Weeding:
1. Replace
MediHerb Gut Flora Complex with Dr
Christensen’s Bitter/Sweet Formula ½ tsp twice daily
2. Replace
MediHerb Garlic Forte with Dr Christensen’s Garden Tonic ½ tsp twice daily
5 days M-F Seeding & Feeding (Do both the Seed and
Feed simultaneously)
·
Standard Process Lact-Enz 2-3 bid and/or
ProSynbiotic 2 bid
·
Cyruta Plus 6-9 = 2 tablets 3 times daily –
Cyruta heals and seals
·
Sauerkraut, KimChi, Kombucha, Kefir, etc. daily
·
Standard Process Lactic Acid Yeast 3 bid
·
Standard Process Prebiotic Inulin start with ½
bid, then increase by ½ tsp every 3 days. work up to 1 ½ tsp bid
·
Prebiotic Diet – Beans, flax seeds, bananas,
berries, asparagus, greens, garlic, onions – non-digestible carbs that feed the
probiotics. When prebiotics and
probitoics are combined, they work together to create a healthy environment
inside the gut while promoting proper digestion.
·
Vitanox 1 tid
Take Daily
·
Dermatrophin 2 or 3 3 times daily on empty
stomach
Low-Inflammation Diet
Focus on nourishing yourself with a variety of nutrient-rich
foods.
·
Gradually increase your intake of fruits and
vegetables (emphasize vegetables)
·
Include 2 to 3 servings of protein each day.
(serving-size is about 3 oz /size of your palm)
·
Add Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi,
kvass, kefir and kombucha.
·
Bone Broth
·
Use a variety of herbs and spices such as
turmeric, cinnamon, rosemary, basil, ginger and oregano.
·
Avoid processed foods, fast foods and junk
foods. Pre-packaged, prepared food are high on your alert list.
·
Limit dairy consumption (any dairy eaten should
be fermented like yogurt, kefir, etc.)
·
Minimize foods high in unhealthy fats and
carbohydrates
·
Whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, millet
·
Bread should be whole grain organic, sourdough
and made fresh
· Eliminate
all processed sugar consumption
Anti-Inflammatory
Foods to emphasize
Blue berries
Raw Oats
Ginger
Green Tea
Dark Chocolate
Wild Salmon
Turmeric
Beets
Broccoli (cruciferous)
Black beans
EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Tomatoes
Chia seeds
Pineapple
Spinach
Whole Grains (Quinoa, Brown
Rice, Millet, Amaranth)
Eggs
Garlic
