The 5 Best Ways to Treat Autoimmune Disease Naturally

Dr. Eric Berg 07/17/2024

I've spent years talking about Alzheimer's, exploring topics like amyloid plaques and debunking misleading research. We've even dug into the genetics behind it - specifically, the APOE4 gene mutation that increases the risk of Alzheimer's by a staggering 30-50%.

But there's one area I'm particularly excited about: Alzheimer's immune response. The more we truly understand about how a problem works, the closer we get to real solutions. Let me explain with a story.

As a kid, I loved playing with matches, but one particular incident really stands out. Picture this: I'm eight years old, in a field with a friend. We find an empty bird's nest, and, overcome by curiosity, I light a match and set it on fire.

Despite my friend's pleas to put it out, I let it burn for just a few seconds too long. Suddenly, the flames spread like wildfire. We frantically searched for water, watching in horror as the entire field became an inferno.

It felt like the entire neighborhood was about to go up in flames. Thankfully, the rain came to our rescue. It was a close call, but it taught me a powerful lesson about focusing on the source of a problem, not just the symptoms.

Alzheimer's Immune Response: Beyond Amyloid Plaques

For years, research on Alzheimer's has fixated on amyloid plaques - those sticky protein deposits found in the brains of individuals with the disease. Scientists thought that by clearing these plaques, we could somehow stop the disease in its tracks.

This approach is a lot like focusing all our efforts on extinguishing a single match while a whole forest burns around us. Yes, amyloid plaques are present in Alzheimer's, but they're more like the initial spark – not the entire forest fire.

Think about it: the gene responsible for these plaques has existed for about 400 million years, appearing in various species. If amyloid plaques served no purpose, wouldn't evolution have phased them out by now?

This very question led two researchers to a fascinating discovery.

Human brain illustration

Unmasking Amyloid Plaques: Powerful Antimicrobial Peptides

These researchers found that these seemingly useless amyloid plaques are actually potent antimicrobial peptides – a hundred times stronger than penicillin. They play a crucial role in our body's natural defense system. Our bodies have two lines of immune defense:

The Innate Immune System: This is our ancient, immediate defense – the front-line soldiers, so to speak.
The Acquired Immune System: This system, involving antibodies, T cells, and B cells, takes longer to mobilize and is more of a specialized force.

The catch? Our brains primarily rely on the innate immune system. It's like having only basic infantry to protect a highly sensitive command center – the acquired immune system, with its immune cells, is just too risky. Collateral damage in the brain can be catastrophic.

Here’s where it gets interesting: Amyloid plaques are part of that crucial first line of defense in the brain. They work in conjunction with neurofibrillary tangles, forming a sort of microscopic net that traps pathogens like viruses.

Once these pathogens are captured, the plaques release powerful chemicals, including bleach, to neutralize the threat. This process, while necessary, can lead to inflammation – what we call neuroinflammation.

Neuroinflammation is the brain's way of fighting back, but it also causes collateral damage. The problem with Alzheimer’s is this immune response becomes chronic.

This response, unfortunately, results in the death of nerve cells, kicking off a destructive cascade. Chronic systemic inflammation in the body can also impact microglial cells in the brain.

This impact on cell types within the brain can contribute to cognitive decline and other neurological issues.

Alzheimer’s: An Immune Response Gone Astray

We're now beginning to understand that Alzheimer’s is essentially an innate immune reaction to an infection – often, a simmering, subclinical one.

It’s like a pot slowly coming to a boil – over two decades, amyloid plaques gradually accumulate until that first noticeable symptom appears.

So, what are these infections? There are several usual suspects, including the herpes simplex 1 virus (yes, the common cold sore culprit), Lyme disease-causing spirochetes, and even certain types of pneumonia-related microbes.

Now, remember that gene, APOE4, I mentioned earlier? It seems that having this gene variant may increase the likelihood of the herpes virus crossing the blood-brain barrier and entering the brain. It's like having a security system with a backdoor – not ideal.

Things get more intriguing. Our gut, as you know, is teeming with bacteria and other microbes – a complex ecosystem known as the gut microbiome. Research shows a strong link between an imbalanced gut microbiome and Alzheimer’s.

What's often overlooked is that our brain, just like our gut, has its microbiome. This area of the brain hasn't been fully explored yet, but it’s highly probable that a balanced brain microbiome is just as crucial for preventing Alzheimer's.

Studies using mouse models have shed light on the complex interplay between the immune system and Alzheimer's.

Researchers have found that mice with impaired immune function show accelerated amyloid plaque formation and cognitive decline, suggesting a critical role for a robust immune system in maintaining brain health.

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, play a central role in Alzheimer's disease. Microglial activation is a hallmark of the disease, but their exact role in disease progression remains unclear.

While some studies suggest that activated microglia can help clear amyloid plaques, others indicate that chronic activation of these cells can contribute to neuronal loss and inflammation.

Poor Liver Response to Insulin

What Now? Focusing on Prevention

While we're still uncovering the mysteries of Alzheimer’s and the immune response, there’s a lot we can do right now to shift our focus from intervention to prevention:

Strengthen Your Immune System: It’s your best defense, period. Focus on a nutrient-rich diet, adequate sleep, and stress reduction techniques. Remember, a healthy body is more likely to keep viruses like herpes in check.
Support Your Microbiome: Both your gut and brain benefit from a diverse, balanced microbiome. A diet rich in fiber and fermented foods, along with high-quality probiotics, can help create a healthier inner ecosystem.
Address Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes, is shockingly common. And guess what? It also fuels inflammation – especially in the brain. A ketogenic diet, which emphasizes healthy fats and limits carbohydrates, can work wonders in improving insulin sensitivity.
Fuel Your Brain: A ketogenic diet isn't just good for insulin sensitivity. It provides your brain with ketones – a much cleaner, more efficient fuel source than glucose.
Make Lifestyle Adjustments: Regular exercise, quality sleep, and managing stress all play a role in boosting resilience to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. It’s about supporting your overall health and wellbeing – especially if you have a genetic predisposition. This also means avoiding alcohol and smoking.
Embrace Fasting: Intermittent fasting, particularly one meal a day, is a powerful way to induce autophagy. Think of it as spring cleaning for your cells. It helps remove damaged proteins, strengthen the immune system, and lower inflammation – all crucial for maintaining brain health.

Emerging research is also exploring the potential of immune-based therapies for Alzheimer's disease. While still in early stages, these therapies aim to either boost the immune system's ability to clear amyloid plaques or dampen down harmful immune responses.

Examples of such approaches include vaccination strategies to target amyloid beta and the use of antibodies to neutralize inflammatory molecules in the brain. Clinical trials are currently underway to assess the safety and efficacy of these promising treatment avenues.

The Future of Alzheimer’s and Immune Response

Although there’s no single cure for Alzheimer’s, I'm genuinely optimistic. This groundbreaking research on the immune response and Alzheimer's opens up promising avenues for both preventing and treating this complex disease.

By understanding the intricate interplay between our immune system, microbiome, lifestyle choices, and genetic predisposition, we're starting to see the full picture – not just a single burning match.

It's an exciting frontier in medicine, one where proactive prevention might just hold the key to safeguarding our precious brain health well into the future.

Understanding the immune system in the context of Alzheimer's disease is complex and multifaceted. Scientists are still unraveling the intricate network of immune responses involved.

Further research is needed to clarify the precise roles of different immune cell populations, inflammatory responses, and signaling pathways. This knowledge will be crucial for developing effective treatments and preventive strategies for Alzheimer's disease.

Conclusion

We’ve spent far too long trying to extinguish the flames while neglecting the forest fire that is Alzheimer’s immune response.

By focusing on a holistic approach—strengthening our immune system, cultivating a balanced microbiome, optimizing lifestyle choices, and even harnessing the power of fasting—we can empower ourselves and our loved ones to age gracefully with sharper, more resilient minds.

This research marks a pivotal shift in our understanding, offering genuine hope for a future where Alzheimer’s becomes a preventable, even reversible condition.