What Causes Multiple Sclerosis – And Is There Any Way To Reverse It?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the protective coating around nerve cells, leading to serious physical and cognitive impairments. If you want to know what causes multiple sclerosis, realize that there are many factors that can contribute to its development. Genetics plays a role, as certain genetic mutations have been linked to MS and people with a family history of MS are more likely to develop the condition.

Environmental triggers such as exposure to certain toxins or viruses may also play a role in triggering the autoimmune response associated with MS. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as smoking and lack of physical activity can contribute to the development of MS. Finally, changes in the immune system due to hormonal imbalances or a weakened immune system may also be associated with MS.

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis – Genetics

The chances of developing MS increase if the disease runs in the family. Studies have found that having a close relative with MS increases your risk for the condition compared to someone without such a family history.¹

While genetics are linked to MS, it’s usually attributed to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. This means that something in the environment triggers an autoimmune response in people with a specific genetic predisposition.

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis – Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle factors play a role in the development of multiple sclerosis. People who smoke, consume an unhealthy diet, are obese, or don’t get enough physical activity are at greater risk for developing MS.^{23 4}

Additionally, research suggests that people exposed to certain environmental triggers such as Epstein-Barr viral infections, air pollution, and electromagnetic fields may also be at greater risk.^{5 6 7} It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle and minimize exposure to environmental triggers in order to lower the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis – Hormonal Imbalances

Women are more susceptible to MS than men, and this may be due to the effects of female hormones on the immune system. Hormone imbalances can play a role in the development of multiple sclerosis. Hormonal imbalances are thought to weaken the body’s ability to regulate the immune system and make it more susceptible to inflammation, which can damage the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers in the central nervous system.⁸

Hormonal imbalances can affect MS by disrupting the body’s ability to produce adequate amounts of steroids and other hormones necessary for healthy immune system regulation. Low levels of steroid hormones, such as cortisol and testosterone, may contribute to higher rates of inflammation in the body.⁹

Other hormonal imbalances that have been linked to an increased risk of developing MS include thyroid hormone deficiencies, vitamin D deficiency, and prolactin deficiency.^{1011 12}

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis – Air Pollution

One environmental factor that has been linked to an increased risk of developing MS is air pollution. These pollutants enter the body through the nose or mouth and travel to the lungs, where they cause inflammation.¹³ This inflammation may contribute to an increased risk of developing MS by damaging nerve cells in the brain or interfering with signals between nerves and muscles.⁶

Studies have found that people who live in areas with higher levels of air pollution are more likely to develop MS than those living in less polluted environments. This link is especially pronounced among people exposed to air pollution during childhood or adolescence. The risk of developing MS appears to be greatest when high levels of air pollution occur on a regular basis over an extended period of time.¹⁴

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis – Electromagnetic Fields

Some studies have associated higher levels of EMF exposure with an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. For example, one study found that mice exposed to an EMF frequency of 835 MHz for 5 hours a day, that mimicked cellular phone use, suffered from myelin sheath damage after only 12 weeks.¹⁵

Some ways to reduce exposure to EMFs include limiting time spent around electrical appliances such as computers, cell phones, tablets, and televisions. Additionally, one can use shielding devices or window films to reduce the amount of EMF radiation entering the home. Finally, it’s important to be aware of the potential health risks of EMFs and take whatever steps necessary to limit your exposure as much as possible.

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis – Heavy Metals

While there are many theories about what causes multiple sclerosis, one potential culprit may be heavy metals. Heavy metals such as cadmium and arsenic can trigger the development of chronic inflammation, which can lead to autoimmunity and create an environment where MS can develop.¹⁶

Exposure to heavy metals may come from a variety of sources including long-term occupational exposure, contaminated drinking water, and certain household products as well as cosmetics that contain traces of heavy metals. It is also possible for heavy metal poisoning to occur due to accidental ingestion, poor oral hygiene and dental work, or contaminated soil.

Read more about common toxins we take for granted.

Research suggests that a combination of environmental factors including exposure to heavy metals can increase the risk of MS. For example, studies have found that individuals who have higher levels of lead in their blood are more likely to develop MS than those with lower levels. Additionally, individuals who have been exposed to higher concentrations of mercury, arsenic, and other heavy metals appear to be more likely to develop MS than those who haven’t been exposed.¹⁷

Although the exact link between heavy metal exposure and MS is still not fully understood, it is clear that there is an association between the two. It is important to be aware of the potential sources of heavy metal exposure and take steps to reduce your risk, such as avoiding certain types of fish or seafood, using protective gear during occupational exposure, and staying away from contaminated tap water.

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis – Mold Exposure

Mold exposure has been linked to multiple sclerosis as a potential environmental trigger. Mold is found in both indoor and outdoor environments, and research has found that the accumulation of mold spores in the air can cause an allergic response that could lead to MS symptoms. Symptoms of mold allergies include sneezing, coughing, wheezing, headaches, asthma, and fatigue.¹⁸

Read more about how mold is linked to many health conditions.

Toxins Cause Chronic Inflammation And Result In Autoimmune Conditions

Continuous exposure to toxins results in chronic inflammation and are what causes multiple sclerosis. When the body is overburdened with toxins, it begins to mount an overly aggressive immune response that can lead to chronic inflammation. This type of inflammation is characterized by low-grade persistent inflammation that occurs over a long period of time.

When toxins continually overwhelm the body, it can lead to autoimmune conditions, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues instead of foreign invaders. The resulting chronic inflammation leads to an array of symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, skin issues, digestive disturbances, and even MS. This is why it’s important to reduce exposure to toxins and focus on the body’s ability to detoxify in order to minimize inflammation.

Read more about autoimmune conditions.

How Inflammation Manipulates Epigenetic Expression

Inflammatory cytokines not only cause physical changes in the body, but they can also affect gene expression by altering epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene transcription associated with MS.¹⁹ Epigenetics is the study of how genes are expressed without changing their underlying DNA sequence. The way these processes work together is called “epigenetic regulation.”

When the body is inflamed, cytokines can bind to epigenetic factors, including DNA methylation and histone acetylation, and cause changes in gene expression that are not present before the inflammation. For example, certain inflammatory cytokines have been shown to reduce levels of histone acetyltransferase (HAT), an enzyme that helps activate gene transcription. In other cases, inflammatory cytokines can increase DNA methylation in certain areas of the genome.²⁰

These changes in epigenetic expression can have a profound effect on many cellular functions, including metabolism, growth and differentiation, and immune response. For instance, changes in histone acetylation due to inflammation can lead to increased expression of pro-inflammatory genes and decreased expression of anti-inflammatory genes. This in turn can lead to a heightened immune response and the production of too many inflammatory cytokines, which can cause excessive damage.²¹

The fact that inflammation can affect gene expression through epigenetic regulation explains how autoimmune conditions like MS stem from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Removing Toxins From Your Life And Optimizing Epigenetic Expression

A key part of optimizing epigenetic expression is reducing your exposure to toxins. You can reduce your exposure to toxins by avoiding products with known harmful substances, switching to non-toxic alternatives, and reducing your consumption of processed foods.

It’s also important to pay attention to the air you breathe. Air pollution is one of the most pervasive forms of toxicity in modern life, as it contains a wide variety of chemical pollutants that can damage your health over time. To reduce your exposure to air pollution, you can take steps such as avoiding areas with high levels of traffic or industrial activity, using an indoor air purifier and opting for more natural cleaning products.

Stress is another major source of epigenetic disruption. Chronic stress can cause a cascade of physiological changes that lead to alterations in gene expression and increase your risk for a variety of health problems. To reduce the impact stress has on your body, it’s important to prioritize self-care and make time for activities that help you relax and unwind. Taking up yoga or mindfulness practices can be beneficial in this regard, as they can help you learn how to better manage stressful situations and cultivate inner peace.

Finally, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs for optimal epigenetic expression. In the cases of MS, taking a vitamin D supplement is a good idea, as low vitamin D levels are common among people with MS.²² 

Eating a nutritious diet and supplementing accordingly can help ensure that your cells are receiving all of the necessary nutrients for healthy gene expression.

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis – And How You Can Reduce Your Risk

By making conscious decisions about lifestyle choices, you can target what causes multiple sclerosis and reduce your risk of epigenetic disruption by optimizing your body’s ability to express the genes it needs for optimal health. By removing toxins from your environment, managing stress levels, and providing your cells with the nutrients they need like vitamin D, you can help ensure that your body is able to express its genetic potential in the most beneficial ways.

Read more about autoimmune conditions.

References

1 Canto, E., & Oksenberg, J. R. (2018). Multiple sclerosis genetics. Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England), 24(1), 75–79. https://doi.org/10.1177/1352458517737371

2 Koch, M.W., Mostert, J., Repovic, P. et al. Smoking, obesity, and disability worsening in PPMS: an analysis of the INFORMS original trial dataset. J Neurol 269, 1663–1669 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-021-10750-z

3 Esposito, S., Bonavita, S., Sparaco, M., Gallo, A., & Tedeschi, G. (2018). The role of diet in multiple sclerosis: A review. Nutritional neuroscience, 21(6), 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2017.1303016

4 Motl R. W. (2020). Exercise and Multiple Sclerosis. Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 1228, 333–343. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1792-1_22

5 Bjornevik, K., Cortese, M., Healy, B. C., Kuhle, J., Mina, M. J., Leng, Y., Elledge, S. J., Niebuhr, D. W., Scher, A. I., Munger, K. L., & Ascherio, A. (2022). Longitudinal analysis reveals high prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus associated with multiple sclerosis. Science (New York, N.Y.), 375(6578), 296–301. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abj8222

6 Farahmandfard, M. A., Naghibzadeh-Tahami, A., & Khanjani, N. (2021). Ambient air pollution and multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. Reviews on environmental health, 36(4), 535–544. https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2020-0079

7 Redmayne, M., & Johansson, O. (2014). Could myelin damage from radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure help explain the functional impairment electrohypersensitivity? A review of the evidence. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part B, Critical reviews, 17(5), 247–258. https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2014.923356

8 Karagkouni, A., Alevizos, M., & Theoharides, T. C. (2013). Effect of stress on brain inflammation and multiple sclerosis. Autoimmunity reviews, 12(10), 947–953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2013.02.006

9 Avila, M., Bansal, A., Culberson, J., & Peiris, A. N. (2018). The Role of Sex Hormones in Multiple Sclerosis. European neurology, 80(1-2), 93–99. https://doi.org/10.1159/000494262

10 Wooliscroft, L., Altowaijri, G., Hildebrand, A., Samuels, M., Oken, B., Bourdette, D., & Cameron, M. (2020). Phase I randomized trial of liothyronine for remyelination in multiple sclerosis: A dose-ranging study with assessment of reliability of visual outcomes. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 41, 102015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2020.102015

11 Shuster E. A. (2008). Hormonal influences in multiple sclerosis. Current topics in microbiology and immunology, 318, 267–311. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73677-6_11

12 Zhornitsky, S., Yong, V. W., Weiss, S., & Metz, L. M. (2013). Prolactin in multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England), 19(1), 15–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/1352458512458555

13 Chen, X., Han, Y., Chen, W., Wang, Y., Qiu, X., Li, W., Hu, M., Wu, Y., Wang, Q., Zhang, H., & Zhu, T. (2020). Respiratory Inflammation and Short-Term Ambient Air Pollution Exposures in Adult Beijing Residents with and without Prediabetes: A Panel Study. Environmental health perspectives, 128(6), 67004. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4906

14 Noorimotlagh, Z., Azizi, M., Pan, H. F., Mami, S., & Mirzaee, S. A. (2021). Association between air pollution and Multiple Sclerosis: A systematic review. Environmental research, 196, 110386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.110386

15 Kim, J. H., Yu, D. H., Huh, Y. H., Lee, E. H., Kim, H. G., & Kim, H. R. (2017). Long-term exposure to 835 MHz RF-EMF induces hyperactivity, autophagy and demyelination in the cortical neurons of mice. Scientific reports, 7, 41129. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep41129

16 Sarihi, S., Niknam, M., Mahjour, S., Hosseini-Bensenjan, M., Moazzen, F., Soltanabadi, S., & Akbari, H. (2021). Toxic heavy metal concentrations in multiple sclerosis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. EXCLI journal, 20, 1571–1584. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2021-3484

17 Napier, M. D., Poole, C., Satten, G. A., Ashley-Koch, A., Marrie, R. A., & Williamson, D. M. (2016). Heavy metals, organic solvents, and multiple sclerosis: An exploratory look at gene-environment interactions. Archives of environmental & occupational health, 71(1), 26–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/19338244.2014.937381

18 Purzycki, C. B., & Shain, D. H. (2010). Fungal toxins and multiple sclerosis: a compelling connection. Brain research bulletin, 82(1-2), 4–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2010.02.012

19 Hasheminia, S. J., Tolouei, S., Zarkesh-Esfahani, S. H., Shaygannejad, V., Shirzad, H. A., Torabi, R., & Hashem Zadeh Chaloshtory, M. (2015). Cytokines gene expression in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients. Iranian journal of allergy, asthma, and immunology, 14(2), 208–216.

20 Feng, D., Sangster-Guity, N., Stone, R., Korczeniewska, J., Mancl, M. E., Fitzgerald-Bocarsly, P., & Barnes, B. J. (2010). Differential requirement of histone acetylase and deacetylase activities for IRF5-mediated proinflammatory cytokine expression. Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950), 185(10), 6003–6012. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1000482

21 Rahman, I., Marwick, J., & Kirkham, P. (2004). Redox modulation of chromatin remodeling: impact on histone acetylation and deacetylation, NF-kappaB and pro-inflammatory gene expression. Biochemical pharmacology, 68(6), 1255–1267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2004.05.042

22 Ascherio, A., Munger, K. L., White, R., Köchert, K., Simon, K. C., Polman, C. H., Freedman, M. S., Hartung, H. P., Miller, D. H., Montalbán, X., Edan, G., Barkhof, F., Pleimes, D., Radü, E. W., Sandbrink, R., Kappos, L., & Pohl, C. (2014). Vitamin D as an early predictor of multiple sclerosis activity and progression. JAMA neurology, 71(3), 306–314. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2013.5993

What Causes Hormone Problems – And What You Can Do To Regain Endocrine Function

If you want to know what causes hormone problems, realize that a variety of factors, such as age, lifestyle, diet, and environmental exposures are all to blame. Age-related hormonal changes are common. For example, menopause in women and andropause in men often cause hormone imbalances. Poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking, inadequate exercise, or poor dietary habits, can also cause hormonal imbalances. 

Additionally, environmental factors such as exposure to toxins, certain medications, and EMF radiation can disrupt hormone balance. Hormonal imbalance causes the endocrine glands to function improperly, leading to a wide range of problems such as infertility, weight gain, fatigue, and depression. 

Medical conditions can also contribute to hormonal imbalances, such as diabetes or thyroid disorders. Additionally, some women may experience changes in their hormones during pregnancy or menopause that can cause hormone problems. 

Treating the underlying cause of hormonal imbalances is key to managing and resolving any associated symptoms.

What Causes Hormone Problems – Age-Related Hormonal Changes

As we age, our hormones often change.¹ This can be due to a variety of different factors, such as reductions in the production of a variety of different hormones that the body produces, such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol.² When this happens, it can lead to a variety of symptoms. Some common symptoms that can occur include hot flashes and night sweats, weight gain, mood changes, reduced libido, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems.³

What Causes Hormone Problems – Poor Lifestyle Choices

Poor lifestyle choices can contribute to hormone problems. Too little sleep, excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and unhealthy eating habits can play a role in disrupting hormones and causing health issues.^{4 5 6 7}

A sedentary lifestyle can cause hormonal imbalances. Regular physical activity helps to keep hormones balanced, but staying inactive for too long can contribute to problems like low testosterone, obesity, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.⁸

What Causes Hormone Problems – Stress

When not managed properly, stress can cause hormonal imbalances and health problems. Stress triggers the body to release hormones such as cortisol, which can create an imbalance in other hormones like testosterone or estrogen. Over time, this can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, depression, weight gain, sleeping troubles, and more.⁹

What Causes Hormone Problems – Medications

Hormone problems can be caused by a number of different medications. Birth control pills or other hormone-based contraceptives can disrupt the body’s natural balance of hormones, leading to depression and other symptoms.¹⁰ 

Certain cancer medications can also interfere with hormone production or cause an imbalance in hormones. This is especially true for medications like aromatase inhibitors, which are commonly used to treat breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors can block the production of estrogen, resulting in an imbalance of hormones that can cause a wide range of side effects. These side effects include hot flashes, joint pain, and insomnia.¹¹

What Causes Hormone Problems – Exposure To Toxins

Exposure to certain environmental toxins causes hormone problems. Toxins such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals, and chemicals used in manufacturing or agricultural processes can all disrupt the endocrine system, as well as cause cancer. POPs include dioxins, PCBs, DDT, and many other compounds that are used in industry or are released as by-products of combustion.^{12 13} Heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury can also cause problems for the endocrine system.¹⁴

Exposure to these toxins is often linked to conditions such as thyroid disorders, infertility, and some forms of cancer. Research indicates that exposure to environmental contaminants may have an effect on hormones in the body, leading to hormone imbalances. In addition, some environmental toxins can disrupt the development of the reproductive system in children, causing potential problems later on in life.^{15 16}

Heavy metal accumulation also causes chronic inflammation, the root cause of hormone dysfunction and autoimmune conditions.¹⁷

What Causes Hormone Problems – EMF Radiation

Electromagnetic Field (EMF) radiation is becoming increasingly pervasive in our environment, with sources such as cell phone towers, smart meters, and WiFi networks. Studies have linked EMF radiation to a wide range of health concerns, including hormone problems.

Exposure to EMF radiation has been found to affect the body’s production of hormones. It has been shown to disrupt melatonin production, which is responsible for regulating sleep patterns and maintaining healthy circadian rhythms.¹⁸ Studies also suggest that EMF radiation can have an effect on the brain’s ability to produce serotonin, dopamine, and other mood-regulating hormones.¹⁹

In addition, EMF radiation has been linked to the disruption of thyroid hormones, which can cause mood swings and other symptoms.²⁰ Studies have found that exposure to EMF radiation can also lead to an increase in cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for stress responses.²¹

EMF radiation manipulates calcium channels within the cellular membranes to remain open, allowing far more calcium to enter the cells, leading to chronic inflammation.^{22 23}

To reduce your exposure to EMF radiation, consider turning off WiFi when it is not in use or installing a protective shielding device in your home. 

Thyroid Hormone Problems

Thyroid hormone problems can have a range of symptoms and signs. Commonly, people with thyroid hormone problems experience fatigue or weakness, weight changes, dry skin or hair, feelings of anxiety or depression, constipation, and facial puffiness. Some people may also have trouble sleeping or difficulty concentrating.²⁴

Diabetes Hormone Problems

Diabetes hormone problems often stem from insulin resistance, meaning insulin can’t bind to cellular receptors due to cell membrane inflammation.²⁵

In addition to insulin resistance, diabetes hormone problems can also be caused by an overproduction of certain hormones such as cortisol.²⁶ Cortisol is released in response to stress and can cause elevated blood sugar levels if they are overproduced.

Toxins And Hormone Resistance

Hormone resistance results when our hormones are not able to work effectively due to the presence of toxins that cause systemic inflammation. This can affect many different areas including fertility, metabolism, energy levels, and overall health. 

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and toxic heavy metals are responsible for hormone resistance. Hormone resistance can be broken down into thyroid hormone resistance, weight loss resistance, and diabetes.^{27 28} In the presence of these toxins, the cellular membrane becomes inflamed and therefore, hormones are unable to efficiently dock at hormone receptors.²⁹ If hormones are unable to bind to their receptors, they are unable to communicate with the cells, leading to chaos throughout the endocrine system.

Identifying And Removing Toxins Is The Key To Counteracting Hormone Problems

Our bodies are constantly exposed to toxins from the environment, food, and everyday products. The chemicals and pollutants that we encounter on a daily basis can disrupt our hormones and lead to a variety of health problems. In order to counteract this, it is important to identify and remove as many toxins as possible from your life. This includes avoiding processed foods, reducing exposure to plastics and other chemicals, properly disposing of any hazardous materials, and eating organic foods whenever possible.

Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium can enter the body through food, water, or air and accumulate in various tissues. These metals pose a serious health risk and can interfere with normal hormonal function. Heavy metal toxicity has been linked to numerous hormone-related problems including infertility, endocrine disruption, and reproductive disorders.³⁰

To address heavy metal toxicity, it is important to identify sources of exposure and take steps to minimize them. Eating organic food whenever possible and avoiding contaminated water supplies are key to reducing exposure.

Chelating Heavy Metals Out Of The Body

Chelation therapy is a powerful treatment for removing heavy metals from the body. It involves administering a true chelator like DMSA or DMPS, which are able to bind to and eliminate heavy metals from the body. Chelation has been used effectively in treating people with elevated levels of lead, mercury, arsenic, and other heavy metals.³¹

DMSA is an organic compound that has been used for many years as a chelating agent to help remove heavy metals from the body. It works by binding to heavy metals and other toxic substances, such as mercury and lead, and allowing them to be eliminated through the kidneys. DMSA can be taken orally or intravenously.³² However, it must be consumed regularly to remove heavy metals lodged in deep tissues.

When taking DMSA orally, it is important to consume it at regular intervals so heavy metals are properly excreted from the body instead of being reabsorbed. Consuming DMSA at its half-life, every 4 hours for 4 days straight, and then taking 10 days off is the typical cycle.³³ Repeat this cycle as long as necessary, in most cases years, as it took years for toxic heavy metals to accumulate in the body.

Read more about removing heavy metals from the body.

What Causes Hormone Problems

Exactly what causes hormone problems can be varied, making it important to identify and address any potential triggers. Reducing toxic load, improving lifestyle, and reducing stress can all improve hormone-related issues.

Read more about thyroid hormone dysfunction or counteracting diabetes here.

References

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17 Cortés, S., Zúñiga-Venegas, L., Pancetti, F., Covarrubias, A., Ramírez-Santana, M., Adaros, H., & Muñoz, L. (2021). A Positive Relationship between Exposure to Heavy Metals and Development of Chronic Diseases: A Case Study from Chile. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(4), 1419. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041419

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22 Pall ML. Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage-gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects. J Cell Mol Med. 2013 Aug;17(8):958-65. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.12088. Epub 2013 Jun 26. PMID: 23802593; PMCID: PMC3780531.

23 Pesce M, Patruno A, Speranza L, Reale M. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field and wound healing: implication of cytokines as biological mediators. Eur Cytokine Netw. 2013 Mar;24(1):1-10. doi: 10.1684/ecn.2013.0332. PMID: 23674517.

24 Thyroid Disorders. (2022, October 28). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/disorders-of-the-thyroid

25 Donath, M. Y., & Shoelson, S. E. (2011). Type 2 diabetes as an inflammatory disease. Nature reviews. Immunology, 11(2), 98–107. https://doi.org/10.1038/nri2925

26 Chiodini, I., Adda, G., Scillitani, A., Coletti, F., Morelli, V., Di Lembo, S., Epaminonda, P., Masserini, B., Beck-Peccoz, P., Orsi, E., Ambrosi, B., & Arosio, M. (2007). Cortisol secretion in patients with type 2 diabetes: relationship with chronic complications. Diabetes care, 30(1), 83–88. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc06-1267

27 Yilmaz, B., Terekeci, H., Sandal, S., & Kelestimur, F. (2020). Endocrine disrupting chemicals: exposure, effects on human health, mechanism of action, models for testing and strategies for prevention. Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders, 21(1), 127–147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-019-09521-z

28 Rana S. V. (2014). Perspectives in endocrine toxicity of heavy metals–a review. Biological trace element research, 160(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-014-0023-7

29  Foulkes E. C. (2000). Transport of toxic heavy metals across cell membranes. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 223(3), 234–240. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1373.2000.22334.x

30 Balali-Mood, M., Naseri, K., Tahergorabi, Z., Khazdair, M. R., & Sadeghi, M. (2021). Toxic Mechanisms of Five Heavy Metals: Mercury, Lead, Chromium, Cadmium, and Arsenic. Frontiers in pharmacology, 12, 643972. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.643972

31 Zalups RK, Bridges CC. Relationships between the renal handling of DMPS and DMSA and the renal handling of mercury. Chem Res Toxicol. 2012 Sep 17;25(9):1825-38. doi: 10.1021/tx3001847. Epub 2012 Jun 15. PMID: 22667351; PMCID: PMC4640686.

32 Adams JB, Baral M, Geis E, Mitchell J, Ingram J, Hensley A, Zappia I, Newmark S, Gehn E, Rubin RA, Mitchell K, Bradstreet J, El-Dahr J. Safety and efficacy of oral DMSA therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders: part B – behavioral results. BMC Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Oct 23;9:17. doi: 10.1186/1472-6904-9-17. PMID: 19852790; PMCID: PMC2770991.

33 Dart RC, Hurlbut KM, Maiorino RM, Mayersohn M, Aposhian HV, Hassen LV. Pharmacokinetics of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid in patients with lead poisoning and in healthy adults. J Pediatr. 1994 Aug;125(2):309-16. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(94)70217-9. PMID: 8040783.

Should I Remove Dental Fillings – How Harmful Is Mercury In Dental Fillings?

When considering whether or not to remove dental fillings, one must consider how harmful the mercury in silver amalgam fillings really is. Mercury is a toxic element that can cause various health problems if ingested or inhaled and has been linked to neurological disorders, autoimmune conditions, and endocrine problems.¹

In addition to silver amalgam fillings, mercury has been used in products such as thermometers, thermostats, vaccines, antiques, and fluorescent light bulbs to name a few.² Fortunately, mercury is used in fewer and fewer products, but it has still contaminated many environments and people in these areas are continuously exposed to this toxin.

While mainstream medical professionals say there isn’t that much mercury contained in silver amalgam fillings, any amount of mercury is toxic. The mercury from these fillings is released during chewing, as friction results in volatility. Absorption increases even more when consuming hot beverages, as the mercury is released as a gas and quickly makes its way into the bodily tissues, including the brain.

Here is a video of mercury from a silver amalgam filling being released as a gas.

Should I Remove Dental Fillings – My Experience

I know firsthand how detrimental mercury in silver amalgam fillings is, as it was the culprit behind my autoimmune conditions and multiple chemical sensitivity. Mercury toxicity made my life a living hell and it is only after I decided to remove dental fillings that I began on my journey to good health.

I realized that mercury from silver amalgam fillings was making me sick after diligent research. I had my dentist remove these fillings and replace them with other materials, specifically gold. However, after removing these silver fillings, I felt even worse and it forced me to dive even deeper into what was causing my health problems.

Remove Dental Fillings Properly

It turns out that my silver amalgam fillings weren’t properly drilled out so small bits of mercury were still present. The mercury, in combination with my new gold fillings, was causing a galvanic reaction to take place.³ This reaction released mercury into my body at a rate 10 times faster than normal. 

This mercury exposure was making me extremely ill and as soon as I understood what was going on, I contacted a competent dentist who specialized in removing silver amalgam fillings and had him perform the procedure properly.

Mercury Accumulates In The Brain

After all the mercury was removed from my mouth, I expected to feel well nearly immediately, but that wasn’t the case. Unfortunately, I was still suffering from autoimmune conditions, endocrine problems, and worst of all, multiple chemical sensitivity. 

Upon further research, I realized that mercury has accumulated in my brain, specifically, the hypothalamus, the control center of hormone function. I had to get this mercury out of my brain and out of my body if I ever wanted to reap the benefits of good health.

This revelation led to researching a wide range of heavy metal chelators that would pull heavy metals like mercury and lead from my body and eventually from my brain.

Remove Dental Fillings And Remove Mercury From The Body

The best chelator agents on the market are DMSA and DMPS. They are able to bind to heavy metals and escort them out of the body through the urine.⁴ Avoid using other chelators like cilantro and chlorella, as these aren’t true chelators, meaning that they don’t bind quite as tightly to heavy metals.^{5 6}

When weak chelators attach to heavy metals, they can often pull metals out of tissue but aren’t able to bond to them tight enough so they are efficiently excreted from the body.⁷ This causes these heavy metals to be released and redistributed throughout the body. Oftentimes, this results in even more heavy metals entering the brain.

Read more about true chelators and how to use them.

Remove Dental Fillings And Remove Mercury From The Brain

After using DMSA over a period of 3 months on a constant cycle of 4 days on and 10 days off, I began to introduce ALA into my heavy metal detox protocol. ALA is able to pull heavy metals from the brain which was exactly the source of my problems.⁸ After consuming both DMSA and ALA for a period of two years, I finally began to experience significant relief, as the heavy metals were excreted from my body and from my brain.

Removing heavy metals from the body isn’t a short-term pursuit, rather, takes years of continuous chelation cycles. Since heavy metals are responsible for so many different idiopathic diseases, autoimmune diseases, endocrine problems, anxiety, depression, and so many other disorders, it is imperative that we remove these toxins from our bodies.⁹ In the end, removing the toxins that are responsible for diseases is the only way to achieve lasting health.

Remove Dental Fillings And Chelate Heavy Metals From The Body

After you remove dental fillings that contain mercury, it is important to jump on a true heavy metal chelation protocol immediately after. In other words, remove the source of toxicity, and then focus on removing toxic heavy metals that have accumulated in the body and brain.

Remove Dental Fillings And Downregulate Inflammation

While I felt significantly better after chelating the heavy metals out of my body, I still didn’t feel perfect and many of the autoimmune conditions including multiple chemical sensitivity still persisted. Upon further research, I encountered information that would put another piece of the puzzle in place. 

Through the work of Dr. Martin Pall, I discovered that inflammation continues even after the underlying issue is removed. This means that even though the mercury was removed from my body, the inflammation was still present. I had to downregulate inflammation to set myself back to a normal state.

While complicated, the NO/ONOO inflammatory cycle can be reset back to a normal state with the use of a number of different supplements.¹⁰ As soon as the inflammatory cycle is set back to normal, chronic inflammation, the core cause behind autoimmune conditions and hormone problems will cease to exist. 

At completing this stage, I felt significantly better and all of my autoimmune problems vanished. I stopped experiencing anxiety, depression, and despair after chronic inflammation was put to an end.

Remove Dental Fillings – Toxic Mercury Leading To Detrimental Epigenetic Expression

Mercury and other heavy metals are linked with detrimental epigenetic expression.^{11 12} This means that in the presence of mercury and other toxins, a less ideal version of the genetic code is expressed. In cases where the body has everything it needs and isn’t wallowing in toxins, it is able to methylate genes that code for the best phenotypes.¹³

However, when toxins like mercury are present, it requires resources from the body to handle the side effects of this toxicity. This means that there aren’t enough resources left over to facilitate the most desirable epigenetic expression.

If you are not expressing your best DNA phenotypes, you aren’t as good as you could be. This simply means that you need to remove toxins from your body so it has enough methyl groups to ideally code for the best genetic expression specific to you.

Methyl Groups Are The Key To Epigenetic Expression

In addition to removing toxins, consuming methyl-donor supplements gives the body more resources to pull from and methylate genes.¹⁴

Think about it this way, a body that is free of toxins and has access to sufficient methyl groups is like a car that is full of gasoline, running optimally. On the other hand, a body that is loaded with toxins and doesn’t have enough methyl groups to mediate ideal epigenetic expression is like a car that has very little gasoline in the tank and also has a hole in the gas tank. 

This means that the little gasoline the car has is being wasted and will quickly run out, forcing the car to a standstill. Simply put, we need to both repair our gasoline tank and fill it up if gas if we want to operate at 100% efficiency and display ideal genetic traits.

Methylation And Cancer

Scientists often say that certain cancers, autoimmune conditions, and even hormone conditions are genetic in nature. While this is true to an extent, it is only when limited methyl groups are available to facilitate epigenetic expression that these cancers display themselves, as active phenotypes.¹⁵

On the other hand, someone who has removed toxins like mercury from their life, excreted them from the body, downregulated inflammation to baseline levels, and consumes methyl donor supplements, will in turn displays ideal genetic expression. These individuals have free access to methyl groups that people loaded with toxins don’t have.

Remove Dental Fillings Now And Get Your Health Back

Remove dental fillings by working with a competent dentist. Since heavy metal toxicity is a lifetime affliction that results in idiopathic diseases, these toxins need to be removed to get to the cause of these health problems. Don’t focus on treating inflammation and other symptoms of autoimmune conditions, hormone dysfunction, or other idiopathic diseases, as these conditions won’t ever go away unless their true cause, toxins like mercury, are addressed.

Read more about detoxing your body.

References

1 Posin SL, Kong EL, Sharma S. Mercury Toxicity. [Updated 2022 Aug 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499935/

2 Mercury in Consumer Products. (2023, February 21). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/mercury/mercury-consumer-products

3 Okamoto, H., Massalski, T.B. The Au-Hg (Gold-Mercury) system. Bulletin of Alloy Phase Diagrams 10, 50–58 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02882176

4 Zalups RK, Bridges CC. Relationships between the renal handling of DMPS and DMSA and the renal handling of mercury. Chem Res Toxicol. 2012 Sep 17;25(9):1825-38. doi: 10.1021/tx3001847. Epub 2012 Jun 15. PMID: 22667351; PMCID: PMC4640686.

5 Mustafa HN. Morphohistometric analysis of the effects of Coriandrum sativum on cortical and cerebellar neurotoxicity. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2021 Nov-Dec;11(6):589-598. doi: 10.22038/AJP.2021.18107. PMID: 34804896; PMCID: PMC8588955.

6 Merino, J. J., Parmigiani-Izquierdo, J. M., Toledano Gasca, A., & Cabaña-Muñoz, M. E. (2019). The Long-Term Algae Extract (Chlorella and Fucus sp) and Aminosulphurate Supplementation Modulate SOD-1 Activity and Decrease Heavy Metals (Hg⁺⁺, Sn) Levels in Patients with Long-Term Dental Titanium Implants and Amalgam Fillings Restorations. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 8(4), 101. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8040101

7 Feigelson, M. (2022, August 14). The Thiol Functional Group. ChemTalk. https://chemistrytalk.org/the-thiol-functional-group/

8 Bjørklund G, Aaseth J, Crisponi G, Rahman MM, Chirumbolo S. Insights on alpha lipoic and dihydrolipoic acids as promising scavengers of oxidative stress and possible chelators in mercury toxicology. J Inorg Biochem. 2019 Jun;195:111-119. doi: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2019.03.019. Epub 2019 Mar 23. PMID: 30939378.

9 Kern, J. K., Geier, D. A., Bjørklund, G., King, P. G., Homme, K. G., Haley, B. E., Sykes, L. K., & Geier, M. R. (2014). Evidence supporting a link between dental amalgams and chronic illness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Neuro endocrinology letters, 35(7), 537–552.

10 Pall M. L. (2013). The NO/ONOO-cycle as the central cause of heart failure. International journal of molecular sciences, 14(11), 22274–22330. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms141122274 

11 Burris HH, Baccarelli AA, Motta V, Byun HM, Just AC, Mercado-Garcia A, Schwartz J, Svensson K, Téllez-Rojo MM, Wright RO. 2014. Association between length of gestation and cervical DNA methylation of PTGER2 and LINE 1-HS. Epigenetics 9(8):1083-1091.

12 Sanders AP, Burris HH, Just AC, Motta V, Amarasiriwardena C, Svensson K, Oken E, Solano-Gonzalez M, Mercado-Garcia A, Pantic I, Schwartz J, Tellez-Rojo MM, Baccarelli AA, Wright RO. 2015. Altered miRNA expression in the cervix during pregnancy associated with lead and mercury exposure. Epigenomics 7(6):885-896.

13 Neuroepic. (2022, June). BPA: Not A-gouti Thing for You –. https://neuroepic.mcdb.lsa.umich.edu/wp/14-bpa-not-a-gouti-thing-for-you/

14 Shorter, K. R., Felder, M. R., & Vrana, P. B. (2015). Consequences of dietary methyl donor supplements: Is more always better?. Progress in biophysics and molecular biology, 118(1-2), 14–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2015.03.007

15 Mahmoud, A. M., & Ali, M. M. (2019). Methyl Donor Micronutrients that Modify DNA Methylation and Cancer Outcome. Nutrients, 11(3), 608. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11030608

Heavy Metals Cause Autoimmune Conditions – How To Remove Heavy Metals From The Body

It has been known that heavy metals cause autoimmune conditions for decades, yet the mainstream medical establishment hasn’t taken an interest in removing this damaging toxin from the body.¹ Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium, are known to cause oxidative stress.² This results in an excessive amount of free radicals which can damage cells and tissues leading to uncontrolled inflammation.³ This inflammation then triggers autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Remove the cause of inflammation and autoimmune conditions go away on their own.

Heavy Metals Cause Autoimmune Conditions

Heavy metals are known to interfere with the body’s natural detoxification pathways which can further contribute to autoimmune conditions. For example, mercury can bind to certain proteins in the liver and kidneys, inhibiting their ability to filter out harmful toxins. This allows these toxins to accumulate in the bloodstream which can trigger an autoimmune response.⁴

Heavy Metals And Their Link To Disease

Persistent overexposure to heavy metals has been linked to numerous chronic-inflammatory reactions, cancer formation, hypersensitivity, allergies, and autoimmune diseases.⁵

Exposure to heavy metals can also disrupt the body’s endocrine system. There are a few main endocrine-related pathways of mercury uptake and metabolism. First, mercury accumulates in endocrine tissues. After mercury has accumulated, it induces direct cytotoxicity, causing endocrine system dysfunction. This results in an alteration of hormone concentrations that disrupt sex hormones.⁶

Heavy Metals Cause Autoimmune Conditions Due To Cellular Membrane Inflammation

Heavy metals find their way into cells and once they are inside contribute to oxidation, which leads to DNA damage, mitochondrial inefficiency, and cellular membrane inflammation.⁷ Cellular membrane inflammation directly causes hormone resistance like thyroid hormone resistance, insulin resistance, sex hormone resistance, and leptin resistance.⁸ This results in the body being unable to properly control hormone regulation, leading to even more endocrine problems.

How Have We Been Exposed To Heavy Metals – Mercury

Mercury was widely used as a preservative, and an ingredient in medicines, as well as cosmetics. As technology became more advanced, mercury was also used extensively in industrial processes such as mining and manufacturing. Eating certain types of fish, such as tuna and swordfish, can also lead to higher levels of mercury consumption. This is due to their long life span and the fact that they feed on smaller fish that may have consumed mercury-contaminated organisms.

Dental fillings contain small amounts of mercury which can be released into your body over time. In addition, inhaling mercury vapor from broken thermometers, skin care products, and other mercury-containing items can contribute to exposure.⁹

Unfortunately, this has led to widespread environmental contamination with mercury, which is now present in many water sources around the world.

How Have We Been Exposed To Heavy Metals – Lead

Lead is the most common heavy metal that we have been exposed to in our environment. Lead exposure has historically been caused by industrial processes and products such as paint, gasoline, batteries, and plumbing fixtures. In recent years, lead has also been found in consumer products ranging from toys and jewelry to plastic containers and even some foods. 

Even low levels of lead can cause health problems, particularly in young children. Lead poisoning can cause serious and permanent impairments to physical development and cognition. It is important to reduce exposure to lead by minimizing sources of lead in the environment, including avoiding the use of products containing lead or other heavy metals.¹⁰

How Have We Been Exposed To Heavy Metals – Arsenic

Due to its widespread presence and human activity, many people have been exposed to arsenic. Exposure often occurs when we drink contaminated water or eat crops grown in contaminated soil. Burning fossil fuels also emits arsenic into the air, which can be inhaled and absorbed by our bodies. We can also come into contact with arsenic through certain building materials and lead-based paints, or even through skin contact during recreational activities such as fishing.¹¹

How Have We Been Exposed To Heavy Metals – Cadmium

The primary sources of cadmium in the environment are industrial activities, including metal smelting and the manufacturing of batteries, plastics, paints, and fertilizers. Cadmium is also released into the air from burning coal and other fossil fuels for energy generation. In addition to these man-made sources, natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and weathering of rocks can also release cadmium into the environment.¹²

Heavy Metals Cause Autoimmune Conditions

Reducing exposure to heavy metals is the first step to overcoming autoimmune conditions. To reduce your risk of being exposed to heavy metals, you should avoid using products that contain them such as paints, coatings, pesticides, and fertilizers. 

Also, avoid eating foods grown in areas that are contaminated with heavy metals and only consume seafood that has been caught in a part of the world that hasn’t been contaminated by the manufacturing industry. If you work with or come into contact with materials that may contain heavy metals, be sure to wear proper protective gear such as gloves, respirators, and clothing.

If you have silver amalgam dental fillings that contain mercury, seek a specialized dentist to remove them. Silver amalgam fillings were the source of my autoimmune conditions and it wasn’t until I had my fillings removed by a competent dentist that I began on my path to healing.

Paying attention to potential sources of heavy metals, avoiding them as much as possible, and taking appropriate measures to reduce any existing levels, can help to reduce the symptoms of autoimmune conditions and improve overall health.

How To Remove Heavy Metals From The Body

Heavy metals accumulate in the body over time with consistent exposure and removing these toxins is extremely difficult with typical techniques, as their heavier-than-normal nature makes them hard to transport.

Removing Heavy Metals From The Body With A True Chelator

Once heavy metals are situated in the cells and organs, they can only be removed by the use of a true chelator. A true chelator, like DMSA or DMPS, is able to bind to these heavy metals, pull them out of the cells, and excrete them from the body without those heavy metals being reabsorbed back into the system.¹³¹⁴

However, many people use inefficient chelating techniques like chlorella and cilantro that weakly bind to heavy metals, yet are unable to effectively pull them out of the body completely. This is because chlorella and cilantro contain a single thiol functional group, as opposed to a double thiol functional group that true chelators possess. 

A double thiol functional group binds to heavy metals far better than a single thiol functional group. Using cilantro or chlorella to chelate causes heavy metals to be reabsorbed into other systems of the body and oftentimes leads to even more damage, especially if metals are absorbed into the brain.^{15 16 17} 

This is why I recommend only using a true chelator agent like DMSA and doing so at regular intervals so that heavy metals are continuously pulled out of the body and completely eliminated. With DMSA, this requires a dose every 4 hours for 4 days and then taking 10 days off before repeating the cycle.¹⁸ 

Realize that this process takes time, often as long as two or three years to sufficiently pull out the offending heavy metals that are leading to inflammation and in turn, autoimmune diseases.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel if you are willing to be patient and stick to the protocol that I have outlined. With this heavy metal excretion protocol, I have helped tens of thousands of people regain their life and watch them in astonishment as their autoimmune conditions simply go away once the root cause of these conditions, inflammation, tapers off.

Ending The Inflammatory Cycle

After removing the cause of inflammation and autoimmune conditions, other supplements are utilized to reset the inflammatory cycle back to its default state. The ugly nature of heavy metals is that it sets chronic inflammation in motion and it requires a complete reset in order to go back to functioning as normal. 

After I removed heavy metals from my body and toxic mercury from my brain, I was still suffering from autoimmune conditions that gave me great grief. Upon continued study, I came across the work of Dr. Martin Pall who described why the inflammatory cycle continues even after the factors that caused that cycle to be pushed into motion are eliminated.¹⁹ After I reset my inflammation back to normal it was only then that I received complete relief from my autoimmune conditions. It is with great honor that I can help you find relief as well.

Heavy Metals Cause Autoimmune Conditions

Heavy metals cause autoimmune conditions, as they lead to inflammation that results in immune system dysfunction. If we can just remove the cause of that inflammation, and set the inflammatory cycle back to its normal state, we can find relief from autoimmune conditions. I know from personal experience that autoimmune conditions simply go away once the cause is addressed and eliminated.

Read more about the proper heavy metal detox.

References

1 Rowley, B., & Monestier, M. (2005). Mechanisms of heavy metal-induced autoimmunity. Molecular immunology, 42(7), 833–838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molimm.2004.07.050

2 Valko, M., Morris, H., & Cronin, M. T. (2005). Metals, toxicity and oxidative stress. Current medicinal chemistry, 12(10), 1161–1208. https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867053764635

3 Cortés, S., Zúñiga-Venegas, L., Pancetti, F., Covarrubias, A., Ramírez-Santana, M., Adaros, H., & Muñoz, L. (2021). A Positive Relationship between Exposure to Heavy Metals and Development of Chronic Diseases: A Case Study from Chile. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(4), 1419. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041419

4 Bittarello, A. C., Vieira, J. C. S., Braga, C. P., da Cunha Bataglioli, I., de Oliveira, G., Rocha, L. C., Zara, L. F., Buzalaf, M. A. R., de Oliveira, L. C. S., Adamec, J., & de Magalhães Padilha, P. (2020). Metalloproteomic approach of mercury-binding proteins in liver and kidney tissues of Plagioscion squamosissimus (corvina) and Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) from Amazon region: Possible identification of mercury contamination biomarkers. The Science of the total environment, 711, 134547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134547

5 Lehmann, I., Sack, U., & Lehmann, J. (2011). Metal ions affecting the immune system. Metal ions in life sciences, 8, 157–185.

6 Tan, S. W., Meiller, J. C., & Mahaffey, K. R. (2009). The endocrine effects of mercury in humans and wildlife. Critical reviews in toxicology, 39(3), 228–269. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408440802233259

7 Foulkes E. C. (2000). Transport of toxic heavy metals across cell membranes. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 223(3), 234–240. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1373.2000.22334.x

8 Rana S. V. (2014). Perspectives in endocrine toxicity of heavy metals–a review. Biological trace element research, 160(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-014-0023-7

9 Mercury in Consumer Products | US EPA. (2023, February 21). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/mercury/mercury-consumer-products

10 Learn about Lead | US EPA. (2022, September 8). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead

11 NutritionArsenic in Food and Dietary Supplements. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/arsenic-food-and-dietary-supplements

12 Cadmium Factsheet | National Biomonitoring Program | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Cadmium_FactSheet.html

13 Adams JB, Baral M, Geis E, Mitchell J, Ingram J, Hensley A, Zappia I, Newmark S, Gehn E, Rubin RA, Mitchell K, Bradstreet J, El-Dahr J. Safety and efficacy of oral DMSA therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders: part B – behavioral results. BMC Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Oct 23;9:17. doi: 10.1186/1472-6904-9-17. PMID: 19852790; PMCID: PMC2770991.

14 Zalups RK, Bridges CC. Relationships between the renal handling of DMPS and DMSA and the renal handling of mercury. Chem Res Toxicol. 2012 Sep 17;25(9):1825-38. doi: 10.1021/tx3001847. Epub 2012 Jun 15. PMID: 22667351; PMCID: PMC4640686.

15 Mustafa HN. Morphohistometric analysis of the effects of Coriandrum sativum on cortical and cerebellar neurotoxicity. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2021 Nov-Dec;11(6):589-598. doi: 10.22038/AJP.2021.18107. PMID: 34804896; PMCID: PMC8588955.

16 Merino, J. J., Parmigiani-Izquierdo, J. M., Toledano Gasca, A., & Cabaña-Muñoz, M. E. (2019). The Long-Term Algae Extract (Chlorella and Fucus sp) and Aminosulphurate Supplementation Modulate SOD-1 Activity and Decrease Heavy Metals (Hg⁺⁺, Sn) Levels in Patients with Long-Term Dental Titanium Implants and Amalgam Fillings Restorations. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 8(4), 101. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8040101

17 Feigelson, M. (2022, August 14). The Thiol Functional Group. ChemTalk. https://chemistrytalk.org/the-thiol-functional-group/

18 Hall AH, Shannon MW (2007) Shannon: Haddad and Winchester’s Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose 4th ed Chap 75 Other Heavy Metals Saunders.

19 Pall M. L. (2013). The NO/ONOO-cycle as the central cause of heart failure. International journal of molecular sciences, 14(11), 22274–22330. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms141122274

What Causes Lupus – Inflammation Driven By Toxins

If you want to know what causes lupus, evidence suggests that genetics combined with environmental factors are to blame. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that results in inflammation which leads to damage to the body’s organs and tissues. It affects more than 1.5 million Americans, with women being most likely to experience symptoms.¹ Inflammation contributes to all autoimmune conditions, including lupus.

What Are The Symptoms Of Lupus?

The main symptom of lupus is a butterfly-shaped rash that appears on the face. Other symptoms may include fatigue, fever, joint pain and swelling, chest pain, hair loss, sensitivity to the sun, anemia, swollen glands or organs in the body, headaches, and depression. 

In some cases, patients may experience seizures or have difficulty with memory. Some people may also experience a decreased ability to think and reason clearly as a result of lupus. In addition, some individuals may develop anemia, a decrease in red blood cells that can lead to fatigue and other health issues. 

Lastly, the presence of skin lesions is another common symptom of lupus. The lesions can range in size and appear on different body parts such as the face, chest, back, arms, and legs.²

What Are The Risk Factors For Developing Lupus?

The risk factors for developing lupus include being female. Lupus is more common in women than men, typically occurring between the ages of 15 and 45.

Oral contraceptive use has been linked with developing lupus.

Lupus also has a genetic component. Having a family member who has had lupus increases your risk of developing the disease.

Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus is linked with developing lupus.

Exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light can result in lupus symptoms. People with lupus are more sensitive to sunlight and may develop a rash in response to exposure.

Certain medications, such as antimalarial drugs and certain antibiotics, have been linked to an increased risk of lupus.

Smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of developing lupus.

Stress has been linked to a worsening of lupus symptoms, which can lead to flare-ups.

Low levels of vitamin D and iron in the body have also been linked to an increased risk of developing lupus.

Pregnancy is another risk factor for lupus, as some women experience more frequent and severe flare-ups during this period.

Exposure to certain toxins, including air pollution, heavy metals, pesticides used in farming, and silica dust present in manufacturing may increase an individual’s risk of developing lupus.¹

Difference Between Lupus And Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple parts of the body. It is characterized by inflammation, tissue destruction, and organ damage caused by the immune system attacking its own tissues. 

Common symptoms of SLE include joint pain and swelling, skin rashes, fatigue, fever, and mouth ulcers. SLE is more common in women of childbearing age and it is thought to be triggered by environmental factors such as infections, drugs, hormones, or sunlight.

On the other hand, lupus is a general term that can refer to several autoimmune diseases, including SLE. While lupus can refer to a number of autoimmune diseases, SLE is the most common and best-known form of this condition.³

What Causes Lupus – Reducing The Risks – Sufficient Vitamin D Intake

Since sun exposure may not be possible for individuals suffering from lupus, as it exacerbates the condition, having an adequate amount of vitamin D in the body may help improve lupus. 

Vitamin D is essential for the immune system, and research has shown that those with lower levels of vitamin D are more likely to develop lupus. While there is no definitive evidence to suggest taking a daily dose of vitamin D can prevent lupus, it is important to ensure your body has an adequate amount of this nutrient, especially when avoiding sunshine. 

Eating foods that are naturally rich in vitamin D like fatty fish and mushrooms can help meet the daily recommendations. Additionally, consider supplementing with a vitamin D tablet or taking a multivitamin that includes vitamin D.

Taking a vitamin D supplement has been shown to reduce the risk of developing autoimmune conditions by 22%.⁴

What Causes Lupus – Silica Dust

The most common environmental factor associated with developing lupus is exposure to silica dust. Silica is a mineral found in many substances and materials, such as sand, soil, concrete, bricks, and quartz crystals. When these materials are crushed or disturbed, they release tiny particles of silica dust into the air that can be inhaled. The silica dust can then be absorbed by the lungs and cause inflammation, which may contribute to lupus flare-ups. Typically, only people who work in the manufacturing industry that are exposed to silica dust are affected.^{5 6}

What Causes Lupus – Benzene Or Solvents

Benzene is a colorless, sweet-smelling chemical found in gasoline and other petroleum products. It can also be released into the air from burning coal, oil, or tobacco. Prolonged exposure to high levels of benzene can cause serious health problems such as leukemia, lymphoma, and immune system disorders including lupus. 

Solvents are chemicals used to dissolve other substances, and some solvents have been linked to lupus. These include certain organic solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), and tetrachloroethylene (PCE).⁷

It is important to remember that even lower levels of these toxins from gasoline stations or other sources can pose a health risk over time, so avoiding exposure is key.

What Causes Lupus – Air Pollution

Air pollution is increasingly associated with the development and progression of lupus. Recent studies have suggested that exposure to air pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter, can increase an individual’s risk of developing lupus or experiencing more severe symptoms.

Studies have shown that higher levels of air pollution could potentially lead to an increased risk for lupus due to the body’s immune system being weakened as a result of exposure to toxins and other elements found in polluted air. In addition, studies suggest that air pollutants can cause systemic inflammation, which is a characteristic symptom of lupus.

Moreover, researchers believe that air pollution can lead to oxidative stress by releasing toxins and heavy metals into the bloodstream, which could potentially cause further damage to those with lupus. Oxidative stress is a condition where there is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant capacity in cells, and it has been linked to numerous illnesses, including lupus.⁶

What Causes Lupus – Pesticides

There is evidence that certain pesticides can contribute to the development of lupus. These include organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides. It’s thought that these chemicals are able to disrupt the body’s immune system and trigger an autoimmune response leading to lupus.⁸

What Causes Lupus – BPA

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical found in many plastic products. BPA has been linked to an increased risk of lupus and other autoimmune diseases. BPA is an endocrine disruptor. This means it can mimic the effect of estrogen in the body and can affect hormone levels in the body. High exposure to BPA has been linked to an increased risk of lupus, due to its effects on the immune system.⁹

Research has also suggested a link between BPA and lupus nephritis, a type of kidney inflammation caused by lupus.¹⁰

BPA is also linked with weight loss resistance.¹⁵

What Causes Lupus – Heavy Metals

Studies have found that exposure to heavy metals is an underlying factor in developing lupus. Specifically, the heavy metals lead, cadmium, uranium, and mercury are linked with developing lupus.⁹¹¹ 

Mercury has been linked to many autoimmune disorders, including lupus. This means that anyone exposed to high levels of mercury, either through work or other activities, should take steps to protect themselves and be aware of the risks associated with prolonged exposure.¹²

Not surprisingly, dental workers are disproportionately affected by lupus, due to occupational exposure to mercury used in dental fillings.¹³

What Causes Lupus – The Connection Between Genetics And Toxins

Being genetically predisposed to developing lupus doesn’t mean you will definitely get this autoimmune condition. However, certain toxins like heavy metals, BPA, and many more impact genetic expression, which can lead to lupus.^{14 15}

If the body has to use resources to deal with the side effects of toxicity, it doesn’t have enough resources to optimize epigenetic expression. Specifically, the body has to expend methyl groups to tame toxicity. Without enough methyl groups available to facilitate desirable epigenetic expression, a less-than-ideal version of our DNA is expressed.¹⁶ In this case, the phenotype for lupus and other autoimmune conditions is displayed.

The only way to deal with lupus and other autoimmune conditions is to remove the source of toxicity that is inhibiting ideal epigenetic expression. If we can remove toxins from our body, downregulate inflammation, and improve epigenetic expression, we can put an end to lupus.

Read more about how to stop inflammation and other autoimmune conditions.

References

1 Branch, N. S. C. a. O. (2022, March 7). The Future Directions of Lupus Research. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/about/future-directions-lupus-research

2 Lupus symptoms | Lupus Foundation of America. (2023). Lupus Foundation of America. https://www.lupus.org/resources/common-symptoms-of-lupus

3 Johns Hopkins Lupus Center. (2019, March 27). Types of Lupus : Johns Hopkins Lupus Center. https://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-info/types-lupus/

4 Bridger, H. (2022, January 27). Vitamin D reduced rate of autoimmune diseases by 22%. Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2022/01/vitamin-d-reduced-rate-of-autoimmune-diseases-by-22/

5 Finckh, A., Cooper, G. S., Chibnik, L. B., Costenbader, K. H., Watts, J., Pankey, H., Fraser, P. A., & Karlson, E. W. (2006). Occupational silica and solvent exposures and risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in urban women. Arthritis and rheumatism, 54(11), 3648–3654. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.22210

6 Cooper, G. S., Wither, J., Bernatsky, S., Claudio, J. O., Clarke, A., Rioux, J. D., CaNIOS GenES Investigators, & Fortin, P. R. (2010). Occupational and environmental exposures and risk of systemic lupus erythematosus: silica, sunlight, solvents. Rheumatology (Oxford, England), 49(11), 2172–2180. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keq214

7 Blaskievicz, P. H., Silva, A. M. C., Fernandes, V., Junior, O. B. P., Shimoya-Bittencourt, W., Ferreira, S. M. B., & da Silva, C. A. L. (2020). Atmospheric Pollution Exposure Increases Disease Activity of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(6), 1984. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17061984

8 Williams, J. N., Chang, S. C., Sinnette, C., Malspeis, S., Parks, C. G., Karlson, E. W., Fraser, P., & Costenbader, K. (2018). Pesticide exposure and risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in an urban population of predominantly African-American women. Lupus, 27(13), 2129–2134. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961203318805844

9 University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center. (2017, November 16). Environmental factors may trigger lupus onset, progression. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 7, 2023 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171116142056.htm

10 Dong, Y., Zhang, Z., Liu, H., Jia, L., Qin, M., & Wang, X. (2020). Exacerbating lupus nephritis following BPA exposure is associated with abnormal autophagy in MRL/lpr mice. American journal of translational research, 12(2), 649–659.

11 Barbhaiya, M., & Costenbader, K. H. (2016). Environmental exposures and the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. Current opinion in rheumatology, 28(5), 497–505. https://doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0000000000000318

12 Motts, J. A., Shirley, D. L., Silbergeld, E. K., & Nyland, J. F. (2014). Novel biomarkers of mercury-induced autoimmune dysfunction: a cross-sectional study in Amazonian Brazil. Environmental research, 132, 12–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2014.03.024

13 Bjørklund, G, Hilt, B, Dadar, M, Lindh, U, Aaseth, J. Neurotoxic effects of mercury exposure in dental personnel. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019; 124: 568– 574. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.13199

14 Khan, F., Momtaz, S., & Abdollahi, M. (2019). The relationship between mercury exposure and epigenetic alterations regarding human health, risk assessment and diagnostic strategies. Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS), 52, 37–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.11.006

15 Neuroepic. (2022, June). BPA: Not A-gouti Thing for You –. https://neuroepic.mcdb.lsa.umich.edu/wp/14-bpa-not-a-gouti-thing-for-you/

16 Phillips, T. (2008) The role of methylation in gene expression. Nature Education 1(1):116

Is Your Diet Causing Inflammation – And What Foods To Avoid

Is your diet causing inflammation? There are many triggers to chronic inflammation and an improper diet is near the top of the list. Inflammation is a natural process that your body uses to protect itself from harm. When you become injured or ill, inflammation naturally occurs to help your body heal and fight off infection. However, chronic inflammation can have serious health consequences if left unchecked. Unhealthy eating habits can cause inflammation in the body, leading to a number of serious health issues.

Chronic Inflammation Leads To Disease

Chronic inflammation leads to serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, depression, Parkinson’s disease, IBS, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.¹ In fact, inflammation is so harmful, it is responsible for causing more than 50% of preventable deaths all around the world.² This means that you must get chronic inflammation in check if you want to live a long and healthy life.

Is Your Diet Causing Inflammation?

Eating a diet that is high in processed foods, sugar, and polyunsaturated fats can cause inflammation. Processed foods are often stripped of important nutrients, leaving your body unable to fight off infection or heal properly. Sugar causes an increase in chronic inflammation which increases your risk for serious diseases like heart disease and stroke. Polyunsaturated fats can also cause inflammation and can lead to high cholesterol, which increases your risk for heart attack and stroke.

Processed Foods Cause Inflammation

In recent years, processed foods have become increasingly common in our diets. While convenient, they contain high levels of unhealthy fats, sodium, sugar, and chemicals that are bad for your health. Studies have indicated that these ingredients may contribute to inflammation in the body, which is linked to many chronic diseases like IBS, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.^{3 4}

Sugar

Sugar has been linked to a number of health issues, including inflammation. Research shows that when people consume too much sugar, it can activate certain pathways in the body that trigger inflammation. Additionally, research suggests that diets high in added sugars are associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein.^{5 6}

In contrast to this evidence, some studies have found that sugar does not always cause inflammation. Different types of sugars can have different effects on the body. For example, natural sugars from fruits are usually less likely to cause inflammation than added sugars found in many processed foods, sweets, and snacks.⁷

Fructose

Recent studies have begun to explore the potential connection between fructose consumption and inflammation. High fructose intake has been linked to a number of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.⁸

One recent study found that consuming drinks sweetened with fructose can increase levels of inflammatory markers in the body.⁹ Another study looked at the effects of fructose consumption in overweight and obese individuals with coronary artery disease. The researchers found that higher levels of fructose intake were associated with increases in markers for inflammation, such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha.^{10 11}

Fructose consumption is also linked with Alzheimer’s, insulin resistance, and the inability to lose fat.^{12 13}

Polyunsaturated Fats And Inflammation

Polyunsaturated fats have been linked to inflammation. Specifically, certain types of polyunsaturated fats, especially those found in vegetable oils, can increase inflammation. For example, animal studies have found that diets high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fat found in many vegetable oils and grain-based foods, lead to increased inflammation.¹⁴

Food Additives And Preservatives

Certain food additives and preservatives, such as nitrates and sulfites, have also been linked to inflammation.^{15 16} By minimizing our exposure to these toxins and avoiding foods that contain them, we can help reduce inflammation in the body.

Diet Causing Inflammation – Commercially Farmed Food Is To Blame

Commercially farmed food is linked to diet-causing inflammation. This is because herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides, which are the mainstay of modern farming techniques, are causing chronic inflammation. The most striking example is the connection between pesticide exposure and developing Parkinson’s disease.¹⁷

Other Crucial Factors That Cause Inflammation – Toxins

Apart from physical and nutritional causes, toxins are another significant factor that can trigger inflammation in the body. A toxic environment and food chain can cause our cells to become overwhelmed and overloaded with damaging substances, leading to a cascade of inflammatory responses. 

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and para-dichlorobenzene (PCB), are examples of environmental pollutants that can increase inflammation.^{18 19 20}

Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium, have also been linked to inflammation in the body due to their ability to disrupt important biochemical processes.²¹ 

Read more about common toxins that cause inflammation as well as hormone resistance like thyroid disorder, weight loss resistance, and insulin resistance.

Food Containers Indirectly Result In Diet Causing Inflammation

Food containers that we often take for granted as inert objects are actually loaded with chemicals that cause inflammation. The aforementioned endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA, phthalates and PCBs are commonly found in food containers.

Typically, these chemicals leach out when a food container is heated, usually in the microwave.²²

Diet Causing Inflammation – Mercury

Mercury is a highly toxic element and exposure to it can cause inflammation. Mercury accumulates in the body and becomes more concentrated over time, making it particularly dangerous for long-term exposure. Ingesting or breathing in mercury can cause inflammation of tissues in the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs. 

Chronic exposure to mercury has been linked to an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory conditions. Reducing your exposure to mercury can help reduce inflammation in your body.²³ 

This can be accomplished by avoiding foods that may contain mercury, such as certain types of seafood, using proper protective measures when dealing with materials that may contain mercury, and being aware of products that may contain mercury.

Read more about the connection between mercury and autoimmune conditions.

How To Prevent A Diet Causing Inflammation

Eating a diet rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grass-fed meat, grass-fed dairy, nuts, seeds, fish, and olive oil is key to reducing inflammation.^{24 25} Additionally, consuming turmeric on a regular basis reduces inflammation.²⁶ Simply put, if you stick with whole foods that are relatively high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbs, like I define in my Cellular Healing Diet, you will soon notice profound improvements in your overall health.

Is Your Diet Causing Inflammation – Turn To The Carnivore Diet

In cases of severe inflammation, limiting all avenues of dietary inflammation is the best course of action. The carnivore diet removes all potential sources of inflammation from toxins that are contained in plants.²⁷ By consuming exclusively a carnivore diet for a period of time, inflammatory diseases like IBS can quickly be reversed, as the lining of the intestinal tract is allowed to repair itself, as it isn’t exposed to inflammatory foods.²⁸

Many people swear by the carnivore diet and have consumed it for decades with no noticeable deficiencies. Typically, consuming the carnivore diet for a month results in a significant improvement in inflammatory conditions, giving the body a chance to reset itself.

Fasting Is An Anti-Inflammation Miracle

Research has shown that fasting can reduce inflammation in the body. Intermittent fasting, which involves eating only during certain times of day and then abstaining from food for an extended period of time, has a positive effect on reducing inflammation.

Studies have demonstrated that short-term fasts can effectively reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are the molecules responsible for creating an inflammatory response in the body. Additionally, fasting has been shown to affect the activity of certain types of cells that produce cytokines, resulting in lower levels of cytokines overall.²⁹

Read more about the health benefits of fasting.

What Else Causes Chronic Inflammation?

Eating the right foods is only part of the equation when it comes to reducing inflammation. Getting regular exercise, managing stress, and getting enough sleep is also important in fighting inflammation. Exercise helps to reduce stress hormones and increase endorphins, which can help reduce inflammation.³⁰

Managing stress is essential for reducing inflammation as it increases cortisol levels in the body, which can lead to increased inflammation.³¹ Lastly, getting enough sleep plays an important role in maintaining your overall health and well-being.³²

Putting An End To Inflammation

After the inflammatory cycle has been set in motion, whether from an improper diet or toxins like heavy metals, it must be downregulated to witness relief from inflammatory conditions. This discovery, by a man named Dr. Martin Pall, shed light on the inflammation cycle from start to finish.³³

In short, even after the causes of inflammation are removed, inflammation continues, and therefore, autoimmune conditions and hormone conditions also continue. Fortunately, there is a protocol for downregulating inflammation that will give you lasting, true health, as inflammatory-based conditions simply disappear.

Read more about downregulation inflammation.

Diet Causing Inflammation

Is diet causing inflammation? Yes, diet is certainly a factor so it is important to eat a diet like my Cellular Healing Diet or even the carnivore diet to reverse inflammation. Additionally, intermittent fasting and water fasting can drastically reduce inflammation.

In any case, avoid processed foods, sugar, seed-based oils, food additives, preservatives, commercially farmed food, and foods high in mercury. Additionally, avoid heating food in containers that possess chemicals that cause inflammation. 

Furthermore, limiting exposure to toxins that cause inflammation and removing certain toxins like heavy metals from the body with a heavy metal detox protocol is the first step to reducing inflammation. After that, downregulate the inflammatory cycle back to normal and a wide range of conditions that are a result of inflammation will quickly subside.

Read more about how to detox your body and regain your health.

References

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2 Furman D, Campisi J, Verdin E, Carrera-Bastos P, Targ S, Franceschi C, Ferrucci L, Gilroy DW, Fasano A, Miller GW, Miller AH, Mantovani A, Weyand CM, Barzilai N, Goronzy JJ, Rando TA, Effros RB, Lucia A, Kleinstreuer N, Slavich GM. 2019. Chronic Inflammation in the Etiology of Disease Across the Life Span. Nature Medicine. 25(12):1822–1832.

3 Narula, N., Wong, E. C. L., Dehghan, M., Mente, A., Rangarajan, S., Lanas, F., Lopez-Jaramillo, P., Rohatgi, P., Lakshmi, P. V. M., Varma, R. P., Orlandini, A., Avezum, A., Wielgosz, A., Poirier, P., Almadi, M. A., Altuntas, Y., Ng, K. K., Chifamba, J., Yeates, K., Puoane, T., … Yusuf, S. (2021). Association of ultra-processed food intake with risk of inflammatory bowel disease: prospective cohort study. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 374, n1554. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1554

4 Mignogna, C., Costanzo, S., Di Castelnuovo, A., Ruggiero, E., Shivappa, N., Hebert, J. R., Esposito, S., De Curtis, A., Persichillo, M., Cerletti, C., Donati, M. B., de Gaetano, G., Iacoviello, L., Bonaccio, M., & Moli-sani Study Investigators (2022). The inflammatory potential of the diet as a link between food processing and low-grade inflammation: An analysis on 21,315 participants to the Moli-sani study. Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), 41(10), 2226–2234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2022.08.020

5 Ma, X., Nan, F., Liang, H., Shu, P., Fan, X., Song, X., Hou, Y., & Zhang, D. (2022). Excessive intake of sugar: An accomplice of inflammation. Frontiers in immunology, 13, 988481. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.988481

6 Jamar, G., Ribeiro, D. A., & Pisani, L. P. (2021). High-fat or high-sugar diets as trigger inflammation in the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 61(5), 836–854. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2020.1747046

7 Hosseini, B., Berthon, B. S., Saedisomeolia, A., Starkey, M. R., Collison, A., Wark, P. A. B., & Wood, L. G. (2018). Effects of fruit and vegetable consumption on inflammatory biomarkers and immune cell populations: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 108(1), 136–155. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy082

8 DiNicolantonio, J. J., Mehta, V., Onkaramurthy, N., & O’Keefe, J. H. (2018). Fructose-induced inflammation and increased cortisol: A new mechanism for how sugar induces visceral adiposity. Progress in cardiovascular diseases, 61(1), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2017.12.001

9 Todoric, J., Di Caro, G., Reibe, S. et al. Fructose stimulated de novo lipogenesis is promoted by inflammation. Nat Metab 2, 1034–1045 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-020-0261-2

10 Jaiswal, N., Agrawal, S., & Agrawal, A. (2019). High fructose-induced metabolic changes enhance inflammation in human dendritic cells. Clinical and experimental immunology, 197(2), 237–249. https://doi.org/10.1111/cei.13299

11 Kanuri, G., Spruss, A., Wagnerberger, S., Bischoff, S. C., & Bergheim, I. (2011). Role of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in the onset of fructose-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice. The Journal of nutritional biochemistry, 22(6), 527–534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2010.04.007

12 Richard J. Johnson, Dean R. Tolan, Dale Bredesen, Maria Nagel, Laura G. Sánchez-Lozada, Mehdi Fini, Scott Burtis, Miguel A. Lanaspa, David Perlmutter, Could Alzheimer’s disease be a maladaptation of an evolutionary survival pathway mediated by intracerebral fructose and uric acid metabolism?, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2023, ISSN 0002-9165, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.01.002.

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24 McAfee, A. J., McSorley, E. M., Cuskelly, G. J., Fearon, A. M., Moss, B. W., Beattie, J. A., Wallace, J. M., Bonham, M. P., & Strain, J. J. (2011). Red meat from animals offered a grass diet increases plasma and platelet n-3 PUFA in healthy consumers. The British journal of nutrition, 105(1), 80–89. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114510003090

25 Marcelino, G., Hiane, P. A., Freitas, K. C., Santana, L. F., Pott, A., Donadon, J. R., & Guimarães, R. C. A. (2019). Effects of Olive Oil and Its Minor Components on Cardiovascular Diseases, Inflammation, and Gut Microbiota. Nutrients, 11(8), 1826. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11081826

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