iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll citlhsc“All disease begins in the gut.”
—Hippocrates11: THE GUT
So the big question is ... how do we restore our health and our immune sys-
tem? It seems all roads lead back to Rome!
While various pathogens have been found to be associated with Hashimoto’s,
researchers are unable to establish a definite causal link between any specif-
ic pathogens and Hashimoto’s. This means not everyone with these infec-
tions—even if they have the genetic susceptibility—develops Hashimoto’s.
Additionally, not everyone with Hashimoto’s has these infections. Other
potential triggers that have been identified in Hashimoto’s include iodine,
stress, toxins, and our internal microbial flora.
In addition to genetic susceptibility and triggers, a third piece of the
puzzle must be present for Hashimoto’s to develop.
This common link is present in all autoimmune conditions and gets
closer to the root cause of the development of autoimmunity: increased
intestinal permeability—a.k.a. “leaky gut.”
So what does the gut have to do with the immune system and autoimmunity?
Everything! It is the intestinal lining that prevents autoimmunity!
Researchers have found that in addition to digesting and absorbing nutri-
ents and maintaining a water and electrolyte balance, the intestine is also
responsible for helping the immune system recognize foreign invaders
from self-antigens, thus facilitating the control of pathogens and prevent-
ing autoimmune reactions.
Intestinal Wall
A layer of epithelial cells covers the entire intestine and has the important
role of keeping a protective mucosal barrier between the dirty environ-
ment inside our intestines (partially digested food, pollens, feces, dead
cells, and bacteria) and the rest of the body, where those substances could
do potential harm.
This layer is formed by intercellular tight junctions analogous to the
thread fibers that make up a piece of cloth. These threads, however, are