A Woman’s Struggle With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – Getting To The Root Cause
Recently a 43 year old woman named Mary came to me with exhaustion etched into her face. Mary had visited numerous doctors who ran various tests but could not find anything wrong with her. Some even suggested that it may all be in her head, which only added to her frustration and hopelessness. It wasn’t until a close friend of hers recommended she speak with me.
Mary told me about her long journey searching for answers and she said I was her last hope. I had seen many clients like her who were lost, frustrated, and desperate for relief. I assured her there was a solution to her problem and I asked her about her symptoms.
She listed off her symptoms – fatigue, stress, joint pain, chest pain, hair loss, headaches, depression, and I noticed the characteristic butterfly-shaped rash on her face. I immediately suspected she had Systemic lupus erythematosus. It was a condition I had seen many times before.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs and systems in the body. It is characterized by inflammation, tissue damage, and dysfunction due to an overactive immune response.1
According to the CDC, women are seven times more likely to suffer from SLE than men. In my experience, I can confirm this is the case, as I rarely see men with lupus.
Getting To The Root Cause – Lifestyle
As Mary poured out her life story, I couldn’t help but feel empathy for her. I could see the toll that these symptoms had taken on her physical and emotional well-being. I assured her that we would work together to find a solution and get to the root cause of her symptoms.
As I asked Mary about her lifestyle and past, two particular details caught my attention. First, Mary used to work in the dental industry assisting the dentist with dental fillings. Second, her symptoms abruptly began while she was in a stressful situation going through a divorce.
Mary’s past occupation in the dental industry raised questions about potential occupational hazards that may have contributed to her symptoms. It is well-known that certain chemicals and materials used in dental procedures can lead to health issues, especially for those who work with them on a daily basis.2
Additionally, the timing of Mary’s symptoms starting during a stressful situation highlights the impact of stress on one’s health. Chronic stress has been linked to numerous health problems, including autoimmune diseases. It made sense that Mary’s divorce and resulting stress may have triggered her symptoms.3
In the case of Systemic lupus erythematosus, a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors all play a role. Environmental triggers such as viral infections, exposure to UV light, and certain medications have been linked to the development of SLE.
Another environmental trigger for SLE is exposure to toxins. Exposure to heavy metals such as mercury and lead are strongly associated with an increased risk of developing SLE. Other studies have also found a link between SLE and exposure to pesticides, solvents, and other environmental toxins.4
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – Getting To The Root Cause
Since Mary didn’t appear to have been exposed to other toxins that are linked to SLE, heavy metal toxicity appeared to be the root cause of Mary’s condition. My assessment was that mercury, which was commonly used in dental fillings, built up in her body over the years. When combined with stress, her bucket of toxins spilled over and resulted in the development of Systemic lupus erythematosus.
The Bucket Of Toxins Spills Over
Typically, the body can handle small doses of toxins without presenting any symptoms at all. However, when toxins build up to a certain level or the introduction of a new toxin comes into play, the bucket that holds in these toxins spills over and presents problems almost immediately.
This is why so many people who have autoimmune conditions report that they come on nearly instantly even though there doesn’t appear to be any specific trigger. In Mary’s case, the stress from her divorce was more than she could bear and her bucket of toxins overflowed, resulting in SLE. Even after Mary’s stressful experience subsided, she still suffered, as the process was already in motion.
I explained to Mary that heavy metal toxicity was likely behind her symptoms. In addition to workplace exposure, people who have mercury amalgam fillings often suffer from autoimmune conditions and mysterious symptoms. In fact, mercury toxicity from mercury amalgam fillings was what made me sick. I know what you are going through and it is terrible. You can read my story here. If you have mercury fillings, consult with a competent dentist to get them removed and replaced with safer alternatives.5
Read more about how toxic mercury amalgam fillings are.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – Removing The Root Cause
As I did for myself and thousands of clients previously, I told Mary about heavy metal oral chelation. In this form of therapy, chelating agents are administered orally in the form of pills or liquid solutions. These agents pull heavy metals from the body. Chelators, in addition to binders, eliminate heavy metals through urine or feces. If heavy metals are causing your health problems, the only solution is to remove them from your body.6
Read more about heavy metal toxicity and autoimmune conditions.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus And Low Vitamin D Levels
Additionally, I also discussed the benefits of increasing vitamin D intake through natural food sources since Mary couldn’t be in the sun due to her symptoms. People who suffer from Systemic lupus erythematosus are almost always deficient in vitamin D.7 In fact, low vitamin D levels is one common denominator behind autoimmune conditions in general.8
Read more about how important adequate vitamin D levels are to overall health.
Mary’s diet was another critical aspect that needed attention. I encouraged her to focus on consuming a diet that was high in grass-fed meat, wild-caught fish, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. These foods are part of my Cellular Healing Diet. My diet focuses on foods that are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, thereby improving her overall health.9
Moreover, I also encouraged Mary to add methyl donor supplements to her daily routine. These supplements aid in improving epigenetic expression and downregulating inflammation, leading to an improvement in her symptoms.10 Additionally, I discussed the benefits of incorporating stress management techniques such as meditation and deep breathing exercises to help decrease cortisol levels in her body.11
A Woman’s Struggle With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – Getting To The Root Cause
To my delight, Mary’s symptoms disappeared as she removed heavy metals from her body. This case was a testament to the power of addressing the root cause that brings about relief. Through my work with clients like Mary, I have seen the transformative power of targeting underlying issues rather than just masking symptoms with medication. It not only leads to better health outcomes but also empowers individuals to take control of their own health and make positive changes for the long term.
What Is The Root Cause Of Your Symptoms?
Mary’s story is just one example of the many individuals struggling with autoimmune symptoms who have finally received relief. Whether you have an autoimmune condition like Mary or unexplained symptoms, know that there are options available.
The scenario I present below may seem like a distant dream for you. The reality is that millions of individuals just like you wake up every day with discomfort and struggle to get through their daily routine. However, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Feeling Good Awaits You
Imagine waking up feeling good, without pain. You open your eyes to a bright morning, birds chirping outside and the warmth of the sun shining on your face. Your first thought is not about how you will manage the pain that has been plaguing you for years. Instead, it’s about what adventures await you today.
You get out of bed with ease and without any stiffness. You walk down the stairs and enjoy your favorite beverage, sipping it while taking in the beautiful scenery outside. You feel alive and energized, ready to take on whatever life has in store for you.
Can This Reality Exist?
If you are facing health challenges, talk to us so we can discuss individual options tailored to your needs. All I ask is for you to keep an open mind, be willing to make changes, and trust in the power of your body. Once issues that are causing your misery are addressed, your body has an incredible ability to heal itself.
Don’t settle for subpar vitality. With a proactive approach and a commitment to finding solutions to good health, you can unlock your full potential and live a life of wellness. The road may not always be easy, but in the end, it will be worth it. Get to the root cause of your pain and deal with it directly. A better tomorrow awaits!
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References
1 Lupus symptoms | Lupus Foundation of America. (2023). Lupus Foundation of America. https://www.lupus.org/resources/common-symptoms-of-lupus
2 Moodley R, Naidoo S, Wyk JV. The prevalence of occupational health-related problems in dentistry: A review of the literature. J Occup Health. 2018 Mar 27;60(2):111-125. doi: 10.1539/joh.17-0188-RA. Epub 2017 Dec 6. PMID: 29213011; PMCID: PMC5886878.
3 Stojanovich L, Marisavljevich D. Stress as a trigger of autoimmune disease. Autoimmun Rev. 2008 Jan;7(3):209-13. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2007.11.007. Epub 2007 Nov 29. PMID: 18190880.
4 Barbhaiya M, Costenbader KH. Environmental exposures and the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2016 Sep;28(5):497-505. doi: 10.1097/BOR.0000000000000318. PMID: 27428889; PMCID: PMC4965307.
5 Pollard KM, Cauvi DM, Toomey CB, Hultman P, Kono DH. Mercury-induced inflammation and autoimmunity. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj. 2019 Dec;1863(12):129299. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2019.02.001. Epub 2019 Feb 10. PMID: 30742953; PMCID: PMC6689266.
6 Sears ME. Chelation: harnessing and enhancing heavy metal detoxification–a review. ScientificWorldJournal. 2013 Apr 18;2013:219840. doi: 10.1155/2013/219840. PMID: 23690738; PMCID: PMC3654245.
7 Hassanalilou T, Khalili L, Ghavamzadeh S, Shokri A, Payahoo L, Bishak YK. Role of vitamin D deficiency in systemic lupus erythematosus incidence and aggravation. Auto Immun Highlights. 2017 Dec 26;9(1):1. doi: 10.1007/s13317-017-0101-x. PMID: 29280010; PMCID: PMC5743852.
8 Yang CY, Leung PS, Adamopoulos IE, Gershwin ME. The implication of vitamin D and autoimmunity: a comprehensive review. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2013 Oct;45(2):217-26. doi: 10.1007/s12016-013-8361-3. PMID: 23359064; PMCID: PMC6047889.
9 Stromsnes K, Correas AG, Lehmann J, Gambini J, Olaso-Gonzalez G. Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Diet: Role in Healthy Aging. Biomedicines. 2021 Jul 30;9(8):922. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines9080922. PMID: 34440125; PMCID: PMC8389628.
10 Mahmoud AM, Ali MM. Methyl Donor Micronutrients that Modify DNA Methylation and Cancer Outcome. Nutrients. 2019 Mar 13;11(3):608. doi: 10.3390/nu11030608. PMID: 30871166; PMCID: PMC6471069.
11 Yaribeygi H, Panahi Y, Sahraei H, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A. The impact of stress on body function: A review. EXCLI J. 2017 Jul 21;16:1057-1072. doi: 10.17179/excli2017-480. PMID: 28900385; PMCID: PMC5579396.
