Autoimmune Diseases (such as Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Thyroid and Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
By Dr. Fred Hui, M.D.
In conventional medicine, “autoimmune” means that the body’s own immune system is attacking itself because it is unable to differentiate between normal cells and foreign cells.
It is seen as an inherent problem with an overactive immune system that is mistakenly attacking its own body, resulting in tissue inflammation and damage experienced as symptoms like joint pain, redness, and swelling.
When physicians see a swollen and red joint, anti-inflammatory agents may be used like prednisone or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the situation deteriorates, physicians may resort to using stronger immunosuppressive drugs such as Methotrexate or Imuran.
What are the consequences? Let us use an analogy. Suppose the immune system is the police force. By using medications to suppress the immune system, these medications counteract the gunfire of the police force, and the police force’s hands are tied up, allowing whatever criminals to be let loose. Using these medications may make it seem like everything is resolved since the police are no longer “firing”, however the true criminals are allowed to thrive. The real problem has not been solved, just muted.
In my opinion, there is indeed a foreign “criminal” that the body is reacting to and attacking. Who are these ” criminals? I believe that there are a three major categories of foreign substances that the immune system can react to:
- Occult (Hidden) Infections:
Certain bugs, such as Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, and Human herpes virus can have a tendency to linger, despite proper treatment with antibiotics. If these microorganisms are still actively circulating in the bloodstream, the body’s immune system will usually take care of them. But once the bugs have penetrated certain tissues that do not have good blood supply, they can hide in these “caves”, such as the joints and nerves. Once hidden, they are not easily reachable by the immune system and can persist for years with very few overt symptoms. However, when the body’s defense system or “police” become aware of their presence, they will mount an attack, and send bullets and bombs into these hiding places of these invaders.
Possible treatments:
Dr. M. Brown, a professor at Harvard University, proposed treatment
of these autoimmune diseases with antibiotics, such as Minocycline,
Clindamycin, etc. ( www.rheumatic.org) , This type of treatment seems to be quite successful. But there are drawbacks. A low dose antibiotic is needed to be used on a long-term basis and the antibiotics can’t always readily penetrate the tissues easily. Higher doses, on the other hand, can cause significant side effects such as gastrointestinal side effects when used chronically.
My approach: High dose (10 pass) Ozone therapy.
Medical ozone (O3) is a form of oxygen that has been used as a powerful disinfectant for over 150 years. It inactivates bacteria, viruses and fungi. Ozone also has multiple benefits for the body, including strengthening the immune system and stimulating oxygen metabolism at the level of the mitochondria. Thus, instead of suppressing the police force, we are supporting it. We use a 10 Pass High dose ozone therapy because it delivers more ozone in a shorter amount of time and leads to better saturation of red blood cells with oxygen without damaging it.
During the 10-Pass treatment, 200 ml of a patient’s blood are drawn under negative pressure. The blood is then mixed under positive pressure with 200 ml of ozone at a concentration of 70 ug/ml, and then re-infused into the patient’s vein, also under positive pressure. This is repeated 10 times and can be administered 1- 2x/week for 10 sessions initially.
Treatment 1 to 5: The patient may develop flu like symptoms (die-off effect) because the Ozone would initially break down and flush out the
infectious agents and toxins into the blood stream.
Treatment 6-10: This effect will gradually subside and will not require additional treatments. You can use symptoms like chills, low-grade fever, achiness as a yardstick of improvement.
After 10 Treatments: A follow up consultation needs to be booked with me, so I can analyze your progress and revise your treatment plan if
necessary.
2. Food Allergies
Foods are seen as foreign substances to the body until they are broken down into basic building blocks or “letters” that are familiar to the body. If all the food can be broken down appropriately by the digestive system into simple molecules, the immune system does not recognize it as a foreigner. If certain food particles are not fully processed by our digestive system, the immune response is triggered. The immune response, coupled with “leaky filters” that people have within their gut wall, can cause colitis. The “criminals” can circulate in the bloodstream and around a systemic immune response or inflammation at distant sites causing arthritis, dermatitis, etc.
In my opinion, identifying food allergies and eliminating those foods can really help resolve autoimmune conditions.
3. Heavy Metals
Heavy metals such as lead (example: from lead pipes), mercury (from
amalgam fillings) enter our bodies as contaminants. When they get attached to our tissues, the body can not eliminate them from the system. The body can then start to attack these tissues.
My treatment: Chelation Therapy
Using agents that have the ability to “magnetically bind” to these
heavy metals will free the body of these contaminants. It is wise to
remove these heavy metals because they compromise normal body
functions.
In conclusion, the medical profession needs to take the above concepts into
consideration. As an alternative to using stronger and harmful immunosuppressive drugs as the main treatment for autoimmune diseases, there are, in some cases, more natural, less harmful ways of ridding the body of disease.