The Three-Legged Stool: Autoimmunity occurs when the body’s immune system attacks itself, and despite the rise in autoimmune conditions, there is no single solution to cure the symptoms.
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Charles Penick, MD
Autoimmunity is the label given to a cluster of unexplained symptoms, including eczema, celiac disease, type 1 and 2 diabetes, Hashimoto’s, leaky gut, lupus, and IBS. Today we explore a concept known as the three-legged stool to tackle autoimmunity from a functional medicine perspective.
The immune system is an extensive network of cells and proteins that defends the body against infection. The immune system keeps a record of every foreign invader (called antigens) it has ever attacked so that it can recognize and destroy the microbe faster if it enters the body again 1.
Key players of the immune system include white blood cells, antibodies, the complement system, the lymphatic system, the spleen, the thymus, and the bone marrow. Although these are the parts of the body that actively fight infection, the whole body always plays a role, less directly.
Autoimmune disease is diagnosed when the body's immune system attacks healthy cells. In reality, this “disease” is not a proper diagnosis and is simply the blanket term given to an illness to which the root cause is not understood 2.
Some examples of autoimmune diseases include: 2-3
You may be reading so far and think that “this article is not for me… I don’t have an autoimmune disease.” Still, the reality is that autoimmunity can’t be specifically tested for, and the long list of diseases that fall under the category of autoimmunity are not proper diagnoses.
Suppose you know something is out of whack with your body. In that case, the collection of symptoms you’re experiencing may be autoimmunity, even if they don’t fall under one of the classic labeled types.
Common symptoms of autoimmunity include: 4-5
Autoimmunity is not that helpful of a diagnosis because it is not uncovering a root cause. It is simply the collection of unexplained symptoms that cause the body to attack itself 5. Often, we dismiss such a type of diagnosis by suggesting that it’s a normal reaction to life.
Terms like “mommy brain,” “that time of the month,” or simply “getting old” dismiss the very real symptoms that are diminishing your quality of life. Before ignoring your symptoms merely because they are common, best understand how the three-legged stool analogy may bring you back to thriving.
People are getting sick and not getting well; what is going on? The three-legged stool analogy addresses the “why” behind the explosion of autoimmune diagnoses we have coming out of the West.
Although humans generally want there to be one answer to their question, the reality is that autoimmune illness is complex. Western medicine has primed our brains to seek one pill, one shot, or one operation to ‘fix’ the problem, but as we can see by the booming and unsolved autoimmune diagnosis, this one problem one solution mindset just does not work.
The concept itself is straightforward: for a stool to function, all three legs have to be present. Take one (or more) away, and the chair falls. Like a stool, your body has three main pillars that must be supported for you to experience good health, they are:
Stress comes in three forms: chemical, emotional, and physical. Every drop of stress builds up in the body until the metaphorical bucket begins to overflow 6-8. This overflow s why some people hit a wall out of “nowhere”: your stress bucket has been accumulating for years. So the final event that tipped the scale might not have seemed like anything major, but in fact, it’s the cumulative effect of stress over a lifetime.
Chemical stressors are found everywhere in our modern environments. They include toxins found in 6-10
Physical stressors are also common-place in modern life. They include:
Emotional stressors are perhaps the least acknowledged form of stress because they are perceived stress. Perceived stress from negative emotions has just a real impact on stress hormones in the body. Although all emotions are healthy and normal, emotional stress is when stress becomes chronic and a looping feeling, without any resolution. These emotions include: 11
Dysbiosis in any of the body’s microbiomes (like the gut, oral, and skin) is associated with chronic inflammation in the body 12. The gut is significant when it comes to autoimmunity since it plays such a large role in regulating the immune system 13. Changes in the gut microbiome (too much, too little, or an imbalance of the “good” to “bad” bacteria) can cause immune dysregulation, which can lead to autoimmune disorders 14.
The old paradigm of disease often blamed genetics for our illnesses. Whatever runs in the family was understood to be inevitable when that simply is not the case. The newer branch of epigenetic science understands that although genes are present, they act as a loaded gun. Having a gene that predisposes you to cancer, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s makes it more likely to develop a disease but does not actually pull the trigger 15.
What pulls the trigger is lifestyle choices 15—particularly the two legs of the stool mentioned above: stress and gut/ microbiome. When stress or the gut microbiome is out of balance, this can trigger a genetic trait to turn on.
With all the incredible genetic testing available, we can get very informed about the pre-dispositions that our DNA holds, but it’s important not to let that scare you. The awareness of these pre-dispositions can cause more mental stress than benefit.
Rather than assuming an APOE-e4 gene (for example) will pretty much guarantee you develop Alzheimer’s, or that the BRCA1 or 2 genes will give you breast cancer 16— better to use this information as a reminder—your healthy lifestyle choices are more important than ever.
You can understand autoimmunity as the perfect storm of stressors, as generally all three of these stool legs have been lost by the time you have an autoimmune diagnosis.
By understanding the source of the imbalance, we can then tackle autoimmunity with a multi-therapeutic approach to support or re-build these pillars (legs of the stool) so that you can get your life back. Knowing the cause also gives us the solution.
One of the most common missing links while addressing autoimmune disease healing is the chemical or toxic stressors on the body. Although the concept of detox is well known to most, an appropriate approach is not. Quick fixes, store-bought detox teas, or foot baths fail to safely and effectively target the cellular source of toxins.
The 5R approach to detox targets toxicity all the way upstream to the source: the cell. Cellular detox is not a quick fix, and although many symptoms can and often do alleviate within the first few months, it’s essential to stick with the protocols for much longer to undo years of toxic build-up.
The 5R approach entails:
If you are dealing with chronic issues of autoimmunity, the best way to navigate a 5R healing approach is under the care of a functional medicine practitioner. This is why thousands of doctors across America are trained in this method to support a safe and effective journey out of chronic illness and back to health. You can connect with a practitioner by calling (800) 833-2941.
Alongside the 5R approach to safe and effective detoxification, ancient healing techniques are used to harness the power of hormesis. Hormetic stress generates hormesis, a positive adaptation in the body. This strengthens the bodily systems to be more flexible and resilient against changes in the environment 17.
Some examples of hormetic stressors include:
It’s important to understand that although hormetic stress is “good” stress, it is still stress. If you are dealing with debilitating autoimmune symptoms, hormetic stressors need to be introduced very gently.
Some ways to ease into hormetic stressors:
Autoimmune diseases are on the rise, and diagnoses include various illnesses where the immune system attacks itself. However, the diagnosis itself to autoimmunity does not address the root cause because the diagnosis is based on symptoms. One way to understand, and therefore start to heal from, autoimmunity is the three-legged stool analogy.
Stress, the gut/ microbiome, and DNA form the three legs of the stool, and autoimmunity becomes an issue when one or more (but generally all three) are off. The perfect storm that creates autoimmunity can countered with a multi-therapeutic approach that uses the 5R method for detox and ancestral healing techniques.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is based upon the opinions of Dr. Daniel Pompa. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Pompa and his associates. This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Charles Penick, MD for accuracy of the information provided, but Dr. Pompa encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
1 Jerne, Niels Kaj. “THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.” Scientific American, vol. 229, no. 1, 1973, pp. 52–63., www.jstor.org/stable/24923147. Accessed 29 Apr. 2021.
2 Marrack, P., Kappler, J. & Kotzin, B. Autoimmune disease: why and where it occurs. Nat Med 7, 899–905 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/90935
3 “Autoimmune Diseases: What Are They? Who Gets Them?” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/autoimmune-diseases.
4 Zerbe, Leah. “If You Have These Symptoms, You May Have an Autoimmune Disease.” Dr. Axe, 16 Dec. 2019, draxe.com/health/autoimmune-disease-symptoms/.
5 “What Are Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease?” Johns Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/what-are-common-symptoms-of-autoimmune-disease.
6 Cox, Paul Alan, et al. “Dietary Exposure to an Environmental Toxin Triggers Neurofibrillary Tangles and Amyloid Deposits in the Brain.” Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, vol. 283, no. 1823, 2016, p. 20152397., doi:10.1098/rspb.2015.2397.
7 Wani, Ab Latif et al. “Lead toxicity: a review.” Interdisciplinary toxicology vol. 8,2 (2015): 55-64. doi:10.1515/intox-2015-0009
8 Mueller, Thomas C., et al. “Shikimate Accumulates in Both Glyphosate-Sensitive and Glyphosate-Resistant Horseweed (Conyza CanadensisL. Cronq.).” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, vol. 51, no. 3, 2003, pp. 680–684., doi:10.1021/jf026006k.
9 Progovitz, Richard F. Black Mold: Your Health and Your Home. Forager Press, 2003.
10 “What Are Parabens, and Why Don't They Belong in Cosmetics?” Environmental Working Group, www.ewg.org/what-are-parabens.
11 Campbell, Jana, and Ulrike Ehlert. “Acute Psychosocial Stress: Does the Emotional Stress Response Correspond with Physiological Responses?” Psychoneuroendocrinology, vol. 37, no. 8, 2012, pp. 1111–1134., doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.12.010.
12 Dehner C, Fine R, Kriegel MA. The microbiome in systemic autoimmune disease: mechanistic insights from recent studies. Curr Opin Rheumatol. (2019) 31:201–7. doi: 10.1097/BOR.0000000000000574
13 Chung, Hachung, and Dennis Lee Kasper. “Microbiota-stimulated immune mechanisms to maintain gut homeostasis.” Current opinion in immunology vol. 22,4 (2010): 455-60. doi:10.1016/j.coi.2010.06.008
14 Wu, Hsin-Jung, and Eric Wu. “The role of gut microbiota in immune homeostasis and autoimmunity.” Gut microbes vol. 3,1 (2012): 4-14. doi:10.4161/gmic.19320
15 “What Is Epigenetics?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 Aug. 2020, www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/epigenetics.htm.
16 Scacheri, Cheryl. “Genetic Variation and Disease: GWAS.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetic-variation-and-disease-gwas-682/.
17 Mattson, Mark P. “Hormesis defined.” Ageing research reviews vol. 7,1 (2008): 1-7. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2007.08.007
Cellular Healing TV Episode 64 • April 24, 2015
Click Here to Subcribe to all Cellular Healing TV Podcasts.
Click Here for Part I: Eat Fat, Lose Fat.
As discussed in my last post, “Eat Fat, Lose Fat“, we need to eat plenty of good quality fat to generate and sustain real weight-loss. Along with PompaCore Cellular Detox™, eating good fat is a key 180° Solution™ strategy to regenerate the cellular membrane and get you looking and feeling your best. But how do you effectively incorporate healthy fat into your diet? If eating spoonfuls of grass-fed butter isn’t appealing to you (though I’ve been known to do it), here are some other, perhaps more appetizing, options. These meal ideas and recipes sneak plenty of quality fat into your diet to keep your cells humming along and your body ready to tackle life head-on… Enjoy!
Note: Choose organic, raw, grass-fed, full-fat, cultured dairy, and organic 100% grass-fed or pastured animal products whenever possible.
Begin the day with a good dose of high-quality fat to supercharge brain function and energy. I do not typically eat breakfast, as I practice daily intermittent fasting, but starting the day with good fat turns the brain on and helps to avoid potential blood sugar dips till lunchtime.
For the mid-day meal, focus on quality protein and fat to maintain energy and focus and avoid the dreaded afternoon slump. I like to eat a later lunch, perhaps between 1PM and 3PM, so I stay within a compressed eating time window (fasting for 16-18 hours daily) to reap the benefits of daily intermittent fasting (read more about fasting here).
At the final meal of the day, eat more healthy carbs, good fat, and moderate protein to support sleep, reset hormones, and satisfy any cravings. Dinner is always my biggest meal, and I eagerly anticipate it after fasting for 16-18 hours. I feast at dinner like a Roman soldier!
What is life without dessert? These treats are loaded with good fat, so enjoy without an ounce of guilt.
Eat Good Fat to Lose Bad Fat: Meal Ideas & Recipes Edited by Meredith Dykstra
Infertility seems to be on the rise. A lot of couples are having trouble getting pregnant, so much so that we decided to devote an episode of CHTV to some of the issues that impact fertility and infertility. There are many physiological factors that come together to create the kind of perfect storm leading to infertility; therefore, finding a solution involves looking at our how our cells work.
As often seen with the clients we serve all over the world, chronic health problems are caused by a combination of factors that worsen and accumulate over time. It’s never just one body system or one part of the body that’s affected. So, just treating the symptoms of disease is ineffective long term. Infertility is no different. Environmental toxins and poor diet drive inflammation in the body, paving the way for eventual fertility problems. Some major triggers include:
These triggers may sound separate, but they’re very connected. Each point to hormone dysfunction, a major contributing factor to infertility. Hormones act on a cellular level, communicating with our body’s cells and directing their activity. When hormones are thrown out of balance, the effects are felt on a massive scale, cascading throughout the body.
Hormone dysregulation is the epidemic within the epidemic. Hormones are how things communicate gland to gland, cell to cell. Hormone receptors lie right on the cell membrane. Toxin accumulation, poor gut health, and autoimmune disorders drive cellular inflammation, affecting our ability to synthesize and use hormones effectively.
The glands of the endocrine system, which include the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, adrenals, thyroid, ovaries, and testes, are responsible for regulating hormone levels in the bloodstream. From the blood, hormones travel around the body socketing into receptors of cell membranes where they’re needed. If we look at how toxins can affect the brain, then we can see how brain toxicity can affect us downstream.
https://youtu.be/dakMFj-KAyg
Studies show that certain toxins, especially heavy metals like mercury, accumulate in the pituitary and thyroid glands.1 The problem is that the pituitary gland is part of the body’s “control tower” for hormone regulation. Hormones necessary for pregnancy, like luteinizing hormone, LH and FSH, and are communicated from the pituitary. These in turn can affect progesterone and estrogen levels. If the pituitary and other endocrine glands upstream are not functioning because they’re highly toxic, hormone levels downstream coming from the ovaries and testes can be negatively impacted.
We’ve seen in our practice that many men and women experiencing infertility test high in mercury. There are many ways that mercury can negatively affect fertility.2 Studies have shown that mercury is the most damaging to insulin, estrogen, testosterone, and adrenaline levels in the body.1
Mercury doesn’t just accumulate in the brain. We’re finding that men with elevated mercury have detectable levels in the ejaculate and particularly in the sperm. That, number one, is a problem for the sperm, affecting its motility (ability to swim).3 Secondly, there’s potential for the women’s autoimmune system to treat the sperm as a pathogen and attack it. Thirdly, we know that it affects certain minerals like selenium, manganese and zinc. Other heavy metals, like lead for instance, can also have a direct effect on sperm health.
The thyroid is another member of the endocrine system that can affect fertility when it’s too toxic to function properly. We call the thyroid the canary in the coal mine because it’s so sensitive to toxins and prone to being attacked by the immune system in cases of autoimmune disorder. Halogenated compounds like fluoride, chloride, and bromine are known for inhibiting proper thyroid function (read more here). Pesticides are also known for having a very strong link to thyroid disease. One study even found that women who worked or lived with someone who worked in the agriculture industry had a greater risk of developing thyroid disease over women who did not.4
Watch CHTV Episode 101 on Detoxing Your Life here.
There are various factors that can impact thyroid health. Read more about thyroid conditions and what to do about them here.
Xenoestrogens are endocrine disrupters that mimic estrogen in the body. We find them in pesticides, organo-phosphates, plastics, and more. They are very strong, and highly unbalancing to hormones. Xenoestrogens drive estrogen levels in the body, affecting the pituitary, uterus (estrogen dominance), and causing chaos in male reproductive health.5 Studies have even linked xenoestrogen levels in young girls to early onset of puberty, known as precocious puberty.6
PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, is linked to overproduction of DHT, a compound created when testosterone comes into contact with 5-alpha reductase. PCOS has strong ties to infertility in women. DHT has also been linked to hair loss in men and possibly with male reproductive and prostate health.
Now that we’ve examined some of the factors that impact reproductive health, you can see it all comes down to the cell. Heavy metal toxicity (read the “When Detox is Dangerous” series here: Part One, Part Two and Part Three), hormone dysfunction and inflammation are all happening on a cellular level. For this reason, restoring reproductive health must involve my Multi-Therapeutic Approach, including ancient healing strategies, proper supplementation, and cellular detox. Fix the cell, fix the body.
Using the PompaCore Cellular Detox™ process is instrumental in order to drive down inflammation, detox the cells, normalize hormone levels, and restore proper cellular function. When you’re dealing with brain toxicity, as is so often the case with infertility, it’s crucial to detox the right way at the right time. The process needs to hit upstream where toxins are buried deep in the pituitary, the hypothalamus, and the thyroid glands. Stepping in with true binders helps to ensure that toxins aren’t reabsorbed. We’ve seen many clients become pregnant after detoxing properly.
Some other great tips for restoring cellular function and improving fertility:
Get rid of pesticides in your food. They’re loaded with xenoestrogens. Look for organic produce and grass finished or pasture raised meats, all GMO free. Review my Cellular Healing Diet book for recipe ideas and guidelines.
You can also find estrogen mimics in cosmetics, beauty products, and plastics. Avoid them, and look for natural alternatives. Check out the beauty products my family uses.
Remember those ancient healing strategies. Mineral rich bone broth, gut restoring ferments, and fasting techniques can help to calm down inflamed cells and jumpstart cell restoration.
Don’t over-exercise or put your body through extremes of stress. Stress drives up cortisol levels, increasing inflammation, and lowering your ability to handle stressors. Exercising the right way and maintaining a healthy reproductive cycle is essential to combating infertility.
Achieving great reproductive health isn’t an impossible goal. A Multi-Therapeutic Approach, the right knowledge, and proven tools offer what you need to restore fertility. Using my proven MTA, you can work to drive down inflammation, remove harmful toxins, and restore cellular health to live your healthiest life.
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