Patients with autoimmune diseases such as, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or Sjogren’s disease are typically given protocol driven treatments with limited success because an acute care model is given to a chronic problem and many environmental triggers are never investigated.

This is a common theme with almost all autoimmune diseases. There is endless research on intestinal permeability aka “Leaky Gut”. The gastrointestinal tract is 80% of our immune system. When inflammation is present, the tight junctions and intestinal mucosa can become damaged causing gaps or “pores” in the lining of intestinal mucosa. Then toxic byproducts in the digestive tract are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported on to the liver. The molecules of food and toxins are “leaked” through the GI lining and then eventually affect systems throughout the body causing inflammation in our joints, expressing toxins in autoimmune conditions and food sensitivities.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often have an association between food intake and rheumatoid disease severity. In the European Journal of Inflammation, this immunological link between gut immunity and RA, food IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies were measured. In the intestinal fluid of many RA patients, all three immunoglobulin classes showed increased food specific activities, including gliadin antibodies.

There have been great strides in advancement in technology and what labs can test today. Labs can assess food sensitivities, which are different then the common IgE RAST test performed by traditional allergists. They can also test for intestinal permeability. Labs can detect antibodies to Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), Occludin/Zonulin and the Actomyosin Network, which identify breakdown of a healthy intestinal barrier. In addition, a stool analysis can take a snap shot of the microbiota and identify any pathogenic bacteria present.

Once these environmental triggers are explored, supplements can support gastrointestinal health and address any deficiencies. For symptomatic relief, ParActin (Andrographis paniculata) should be considered. It has been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and in studies has shown to support a healthy immune response in patients with autoimmune conditions.

In a randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled study published on Clinical Rheumatology 2009, 60 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were given 100mg of ParActin® for 14 weeks. ParActin® was effective in reducing number of swollen joints, total grade of swollen joint and tender joints. ParActin® helped normalize Rheumatoid Factor, creatinkinase, hemoglobin, immunoglobin IgA and IgM. The reduction in IgA and IgM is beneficial as there is positive correlation between the grade of cartilage damage.

In another clinical published on Innovative Rheumatology Jan 2013, 8 patients with various rheumatoid conditions were given 300mg of ParActin® daily for 3 ½ years. Treatment with ParActin® showed significant improvement in number of swollen joints, total grade of swollen joint, total grade of tender joints, and improvement in Quality of Life. In addition, we are seeing significant reduction in Rheumatoid Factor, Eryhrocytes Sedimentation Rate, Pain, and C-Reactive Protein.

References
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION: THE IMMUNOLOGY OF GLUTEN SENSITIVITY BEYOND THE INTESTINAL TRACT. A. VOJDANI, T. O’BRYAN and G.H. KELLERMANN. Vol. 6, no. 2, 0-0 (2008)

María A. Hidalgo, Juan L. Hancke, Juan C. Bertoglio, and Rafael A. Burgos. Andrographolide a New Potential Drug for the Long Term Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease. Innovative Rheumatology, January 2013 247-270

Burgos, R. A, Hancke, J. L, Bertoglio, J. C, Aguirre, V, Arriagada, S, Calvo, M, et al. Efficacy of an Andrographis paniculata composition for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial. Clin Rheumatol. (2009), 28(8), 931-46.

Burgos, R. A, Hidalgo, M. A, Carretta, M. D, Bertoglio, J. C, Folch, H, & Hancke, J. L. Immunomodulatory activities induced by Andrographis paniculata. Studium Press LLC; (2009).

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