What Causes Autoimmune Conditions?

Find out what causes autoimmune conditions.

 
Timestamps
0:05 What is an autoimmune condition? 
0:25 Autoantibodies 
0:42 Th17 cell 
2:00 Th17 cell functions 
3:15 T regulatory cells 
3:50 What happens when Th17 doesn’t work 
4:08 How do these cells become overactivated? 
4:40 Vitamin D 

Today we’re going to talk about autoimmune conditions and what causes autoimmune conditions? 

An autoimmune condition is a situation where your body has created immune cells that are attacking itself. 
This creates inflammation, and the inflammation creates a lot of collateral damage. It’s all of the free radicals that end up actually destroying the tissue. 

The immune cells that are attacking itself are called autoantibodies. You can have these autoantibodies to pretty much any tissue in the body. 

What autoimmune conditions boil down to is one cell called the Th17 cell becoming overactive. Excessive amounts of this cell are responsible for autoimmune conditions. 

In your immune system, you have a lot of different T cells. The T stands for thymus. Typically T helper cells do things like recruiting help to fight infection and generating weaponry. It’s the main controller in the battle against infections. 

One of the functions of these cells is to maintain the intestinal barrier. This is the barrier that helps keep out viruses and pathogens. If there’s a break in the wall and harmful bacteria get in, they can invade the inside of the body, causing an immune attack. Now, your body is going to start creating antibodies against these cells. If those cells are pathogens, this is a good thing. But, what if those cells are your own cells? This, of course, wouldn’t be good. 

Another function of Th17 cells is making sure that the body doesn’t destroy its own tissue. This cell could help prevent autoimmune conditions. 

The Th17 cells also work with the T regulatory cells, which have an even greater function of preventing autoimmune diseases. It may also help suppress autoimmune diseases and hyperinflammatory conditions. T regulatory cells also calm down infections. 

When the Th17 cell doesn’t work as it should, you’re at risk for getting a movement of bacteria across the intestinal barrier. This could lead to chronic infection and chronic inflammation. 

It’s unclear how these cells become overactivated. But, what is known is that there are usually several things involved, such as:

1. Infection
2. Stress
3. Malnourishment 

Vitamin D can potentially help bring down this overreaction of the Th17 cell. 

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 56, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg’s Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Thanks for watching! I hope this video helps you better understand what causes autoimmune conditions.

[DRSHARE]

Im also a doctor from Malaysia. Really like this man. He knows everything regarding health issues. I wish i could be like him, someday. Can explain everything to people, make them aware about how important to be and stay healthy.

[rosewright]

I healed my lupus and restless legs syndrome by quitting all processed foods and also going organic (as much as possible). I don't know the science of it all, but it worked for me!

[DJ-llmq]

About ten years ago I got Mono. It went away after a few months but I was left with a horrible autoimmune disorder that lasted for almost two years. My life felt like it stopped because I was so ill. Although not able to help directly, my GP told me that I was very low on Vitamin D so I started taking 5000 IU every day. Eventually and unexpectedly, my health was restored (I truly thought my life was over) and I've been well ever since. I'm 63 now and every day I express gratitude that I'm able to walk so fluidly and play the piano without any arthritis (parents and grandparents had it). I'm very lucky indeed. Thank you Dr. Berg for all this priceless information.

[ithacacomments]

My mother grew up in extreme poverty.
She had rheumatic fever, and polio in childhood.
She developed psoriasis as a teenager.
As an adult, she struggles with constant infections such as boils.
Diabetes, hypothyroidism, ....her medical history is pages long.
She takes many, many, many meds and has a terrible relationship with food.
Now in a care home at age 92....in severe pain ....whacked out on pain killers.

I do my best to live holistic lifestyle.
So far, at age 71, no RX meds!

I can't change my mother's history but, hopefully, I can not follow in her footsteps.

[hevchip]

He explains so clearly and doesn't ramble on for ages. Very good teaching

[debbielynn]

I've curbed my lupus w healing my gut. Weight loss. Eating clean. Intense & mod wrkouts. High D VitC mag zinc omegas. Better life!

[williamhodgson]

This was incredibly useful and informative. 10 years ago I was diagnosed with Lichen Planopilaris, which was later changed to frontal fibrosing scarring alopecia. I’m unsure as to the difference. But for the past 18 months I’ve taken vitamin D, omega 3 and turmeric daily. I also took up meditation around 10/12 minutes every morning and I have seen a noticeable improvement. My hair has stopped falling out, I’ve lost about 15% around temples/ forehead, and I’ve lost eyebrows and beard. I should say I’m a 60 year old man, the condition having started at the age of 50. I know stress caused the problem, my job at the time was incredibly stressful, I really do believe we underestimate the sheer collateral damage stress has in our physical and mental health, and I speak as a retired mental health clinician.

[StaticMango]

I have a whole collection, and not just the normal ones, like RA (which I also have) but Myasthenia Gravis, and some other more common ones. I eat the autoimmune diet. No nightshades, no high FODMAPS, no grains... trying to heal my gut. Which has really helped as now I can cheat with cream cheese stuffed jalapeños! And no stomach pain! I don’t do it very often cuz of the jalapeños being nightshades and those chemicals or whatever is in nightshades like tomatoes... used to kill my stomach. Now I do IF and keto AND AIP (autoimmune protocol diet) so I’ve lost 35 pounds and I don’t take any medication and I’m not in a wheelchair any more or wearing a neck brace to hold my own head up, or take Mestinon every 4 hours to breathe. I can do a one minute plank and I can walk around Walmart. Just giving up gluten alone, was life changing. I’ve added all your suggestions to my world and I’m on a whole new level. And yep, I tested low low low on vitamin D. Thanks for all you do.!

[Oceanlady]

Dr. Berg, you explain everything so well. You truly are an educator, and that is greatly appreciated!

[sistersquad]

you are a blessing to us ..to mankind ..i wonder what motivates you to do all this research and to gain knowledge and spread it all over without any cost ? ..you must have a great heart inside u de berg ...your biggest fan from Pakistan❤

[marcysalinas]

Writing from Texas to say thank you for sharing your knowledge in these videos. I've learned many things I didn't know. You have a nice voice and you are a handsome young nan. I'm old enough to be your Momma so I can say that! God bless you!

[sistertidy]

My GP said my Rosacea and joints pain is due to Vit D deficiency. I take 8000iu and I'm slowly getting better. Very informative video. x

[jacquelinelowery]

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2016 and was given methotrexate and told to take 4000 to 5000 ius of vitamin d. I realized the vitamin d ius were low so I started taking 10, 000 ius when covid hit. I stopped taking methotrexate about a year ago and I haven't had any problems or flare-ups with RA. And, I haven't had a cold since February, 2019.

[elliepalmer]

Hi Dr Berg
I'm a Naturopath in Australia...university degree
We have been preaching Leaky Gut Syndrome for many years 20 years plus especially the connections in auto-immune diseases
I absolutely love your channel & highly recommend to many family, friends & patients
Many thanks Dr Berg

[ix-Xafra]

Here in Australia, we've had decades of government sun phobia advertising like 'There's no such thing as a healthy tan!'.
Sunshine is the still the best source of vitamin D.

[MARIPILIPM]

This is pure genius plus a generous soul ‼️ You are a BLESSING Dr Berg, I’m a health pro and researcher, plus autoimmune patient. Thank you thank you🙏🏻

[mousababa]

Love you Doc! Your work and videos are a blessing!!

[nathanpolk]

I think the state of the Adrenal Glands are really underestimated in autoimmune conditions and need to be highlight more.

[stewart]

I suffer from auto immune conditions now and have been for years and have a high calcium score higher than I like. Now I know why I have to take very high dose D3 with K2 and heal my gut lining by reducing lectins. Thanks to Dr. Berg's videos.

[jayshreejuneja]

Brilliantly explained as usual. Love your video so helpful to understand what has happened to my body and Why I suffer from hypothyroidism. Thank you so much.