Environmental Toxins: Effect on the Gut-to-Brain Axis in Health and Disease

Presented by: Robert G. Silverman, DC,CNS, CCN Naturopathic care includes treating many patients with joint disorders. Some ofour most common musculoskeletal conditions have an autoimmune componentto their etiology and may account for their relentless progression and difficulty intreatment. The role of dietary and gut-related pathogens as triggers orexacerbators of joint disorders has been defined; the gut-joint axis is real. Gut-related antigens from bacteria, oral pathogens and food proteins can play a rolein multiple joint disorders including joint tissue inflammation, tissueautoimmunity and tissue degeneration. Gram-negative bacteria in the gutproduce a toxin called lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which, if translocated to thebloodstream, upregulates the production of inflammatory cytokines that targetjoints, as seen in arthritis. Antibodies made against specific foods (gliadin, dairyproteins, pork) and pathogens (Clostridium botulinum, Porphyromonasgingivalis, Streptococcus and Klebsiel