Autoimmune disease, alternative therapies and me | A sceptic’s guide to wellness

[@bobgray1555]

Many thanks to Richard and the team at the Guardian for this and many other 'down to earth' series. I have an autoimmune condition that has improved greatly through a plant based wholefood diet. This has allowed me to increase my exercise and fitness and reduce my medication to zero. Am I cured? , NO, but it is manageable for now. That may not last but I feel on top of it for now.

[@straycatsandpetsfans]

You're lucky to feel better than before n wish n pray you feel more better 🙏. One of my best friend is suffering with autoimmune disorder so I can understand the things related to this disease. Wish the world can find more ways to heal this disease 🙏

[@theGuardian]

Thanks for sharing (and for watching!) - Rich

[@babiesworld1769]

Plant based whole food diet!. Can you explain that diet please...

[@macantakai]

I've been deep diving and overwhelmed in this area for years with my ME. Really interested in this series and exploration of gut health in the next episode.

[@kieranhennig2385]

As someone currently studying premed and wanting to go into integrative / preventative medicine, I am IN LOVE with this series!!!!! Very excited

[@theGuardian]

Thanks for watching! - Rich

[@donnaallgaier-lamberti3933]

We need more young people who are passionate about preventative medicine. Kudos for you!

[@HShango]

I never fall those sort of stuff and I've got eczema (which I've had since I was a toddler) I'm 28 now and will soon be 29 and my eczema used to be the worst part of me when was younger, because I did not really know what my body didn't like (tolerate) or what was/were the triggers that made my body react in that manner. fast forward to the present, It has gotten so much better now, my w skin has improved so much that I'm always mind blown how adaptable and powerful the human skin is and also the human gut which is where the human immune system is at too and the human microbiome.

[@callewag]

Yep, I discovered through trial and error that dairy was making my eczema much worse. It’s now either gone or very mild.

[@SallyMichelle97]

I also have had eczema all of my life and had it bad in my teenage years as well. Got Hashimotos (Autoimmune Underactive Thyroid) at 21 and cut out gluten and dairy. My eczema has been very manageable ever since, but I really struggle with my Hashimotos despite taking medication and said gf/df diet.

[@sophatt]

I think a comment about Gábor Máté would be really useful here. He's a physician who speaks (among other things) about society's impacts on our bodies (incl on autoimmune conditions)!

[@theGuardian]

Thank you for the tip I'll check out his work - Rich

[@bravelytogether]

Totally agree! He has a number of great books including, "When the Body Says NO."

[@yinndragonyang]

Thanks for bringing this to my awareness. How we treat our bodies is SO important, and with all of the environmental changes and pollution induced by human activity it becomes ever more apparent how deciphering exactly what the body needs: sunlight, fresh air, water, food, and movement entails to a healthier, long life. I definitely need this reminder, I used to be much more active when I was younger.

[@theGuardian]

Thanks for the comment. I do wonder if we've collectively lost track of some of this stuff, to some degree! - Rich

[@Boopop1024]

Quackery makes my blood pressure rise. Is there a natural remedy for that? 🙃

[@angelinasouren]

Yes. You'd probably call it quackery because it does not involve taking pharmaceuticals. Going for a walk in nature, for example, or volunteering in wildlife rehabilitation or learning how to draw or sculpt. Anything that makes you focus on things outside of yourself and stops you from ruminating about how much quackery makes your blood pressure rise.

[@elanjelian]

I believe, managing and, even, curing chronic as opposed to acute illnesses requires patients to play an active role in tracking and managing their wellness. Sufficient sleep, good food taken at suitable but time-restricted fashion and with some supplementation, adequate and appropriate exercises, morning sunshine for immune system, and proper breathing perhaps coupled with some mindfulness practice are probably the way forward to ameliorate long-term adverse health conditions, I suspect. Keeping abreast scientific literature from modern medicine is also a must, I feel, for those who are more, well, motivated.

[@Anniexo-b2e]

Thank you so so much for doing this video. I really appreciate it

[@101spacemonkey]

As a chronically ill disabled person I find that some holistic approaches use a lot of ableist language, especially with ideas of a fix which for many disabled people isnt what they want. This isnt to say some holistic approaches can have benefits especially via placebo or the power of the mind but I'm always curious when people claim to have proof. It is usually anecdotal or nonexistent

[@theGuardian]

Thank you for your well considered thoughts! - Rich

[@henitinker8808]

I was about to say exactly this! The focus on 'cure' assumes that we are the problem. The onus should not be on me to 'cure' myself via expensive, private therapies (which won't do that anyway), it should be on society to provide the resources to help us manage our conditions so we can live our lives!

[@Ali-Bea]

No, the cure is not coming from without it comes from within, that’s the point. I say this as someone with a chronic debilitating illness of 30 years. A doctor or society will not hand you back your health, you have to work it out yourself.

[@RobespierreThePoof]

Interesting observation. I had not noticed this. However, this might be because I generally avoid pseudomedicine.

[@simongarcia200]

I love The Guardian. THIS is why I love the Guardian.

[@theGuardian]

Thanks for your comment. Gratefully received! - Rich

[@cillinodonnell8729]

I'd advise anybody interested in this to read Gabor Mate The Body Says No where he explains the effect of emotions on illness and particularly how long term stress harms the body. He shows how suppressing emotions causes chronic hidden stress and how reconnecting with yourself through psychotherapy can improve physical conditions and provides some of the science to back it up. Another incredibly useful book is the Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk .

[@bravelytogether]

Yes!

[@amberhyland]

the segment of him on the phone had me creasing tooo accurate

[@anitasunda3823]

Thanks for this. When will the second episode be out?

[@theGuardian]

Thanks for watching! All being well they should be out weekly on a Monday - Rich

[@seattlegrrlie]

I've struggled since I was diagnosed at 11yrs old with RA and gut issues. At 44yrs, I'm pretty done with doctors running tests and trying to prescription drugs that just make me feel sick. Yoga, exercise, cold therapy, and most of all diet. It works for me better than these dudes in white jackets treating me like I'm not a whole person just trying to get through life

[@rlmtrelomatt7390]

Thank you so much, I am looking forward to the next episode. stay safe

[@theGuardian]

Thanks for watching! - Rich

[@PlaCerHooD]

it's insane or rather even criminal to proclaim any of that quackery could reverse MS!

[@edsiebert5986]

it is however (speaking as someone who was diagnosed with RRMS 7 years ago too) remarkably common an attitude....if I had a penny for every time I was told my MS could be "cured" by holistic quackery (i do live in Bristol, UK, mind and there's plenty of hippiecrites here) I would be a rich person. I think if we all allowed people to stick with what works for them then we'd all be in a better place....as you say what works for some will not work for others.

[@henitinker8808]

@@edsiebert5986 I don't have MS, but I get told the same thing for my hEDS. I live in Brighton and people keep telling me to try yoga- which actively makes my condition worse. It's a very annoying attitude. There are one or two alternative therapies (acupuncture and osteopathy) that I've tried that have helped me manage pain, but they certainly aren't affordable on a regular basis. So many alternative therapies are actually very dangerous and I definitely agree with the scientist who said to avoid anything that claims 'detox' or a complete cure.

[@thrivehealvegan]

Many people, including myself, have reversed their autoimmune symptoms with the A.I.P. (Autoimmune Protocol) diet -- which initially eliminates: dairy, grains, seeds, nuts, nightshades, additives, and legumes. It is challenging, but there are many resources out there. I am vegan, so I do Vegan A.I.P. After you begin healing -- you can begin to add foods back in. It gave me my life back.

[@nancyneyedly4587]

This series had better speak with or consult Dr.Gabor Mate, author of "When the Body Says No" and "The Myth of Normal". Everyone should actually.

[@Ciachoo]

And why is that? Please elaborate.

[@nancyneyedly4587]

@@Ciachoo Because Dr. Gabor Mate has studies this field extensively. It would be prudent to include someone as respected as Dr. Mate in the discussion of autoimmune diseases. I'm just wondering if this is more of a fluff piece, where they only discuss alternative and uproven "fluff". I'm just wondering if this will go deep, or if it's just all for fun.

[@Ciachoo]

@@nancyneyedly4587 That's a bit surprising. Last time I checked, he is a psychologist, and he's a specialist on addiction. That's like practically unrelated to the topic of autoimmune diseases and it's simply impossible to be an expert on those diseases having specialised on something else for decades. He "studies the field extensively"? How many papers did he write in the topic of immunology? How many scientific papers did he write in all medicinal fields?

[@USERNAMEfieldempty]

Q: What do we call ''Alternative Medicine'' that provably, scientifically works? A : We call it ''Medicine'' ''Alternative'' is a euphemism for ''rejected''

[@Ben-ej1xp]

I have adrenal insufficiency - which is life threatening. It’s often caused by an autoimmune condition. It can be a huge struggle mentally and physically. I’ll never be cured, so the best I can do is find ways to manage it and improve the quality of life through a more holistic approach - fundamentally sleep, exercise, diet and finding joy in life.

[@berenicemarchese1593]

i have Addison's disease ( primary adrenal insufficiency) and would love to see how these things work with my constant fatigue and low blood pressure.

[@Ben-ej1xp]

@@berenicemarchese1593 it’s difficult I know. I hope you are getting the right endocrine advice and have people with the same condition to talk to a support you. I feel better if I sleep well. I also have to keep up on my fitness. Dealing with stress is also another focus. I’m far from ideal. I don’t think I will feel “normal” again but it’s a step in the right direction. Best wishes.

[@lucaslouzada44]

“Self-indulgence to the point of narcisism”…one very nice way of explaining how much social media revealed the human stupidity…shamanism can be quite beautiful in comparison…

[@theGuardian]

And yet for many 'wellness' may encapsulate both. It's certainly not a very precise term. Thanks for watching - Rich

[@mradjamesable]

Some good nuggets here. Main one. Listen to your body and different modalities work in different ways for different people. Make it your life's journey to prioritise your health

[@jackreacher1132]

What you have forgotten is basic pranayama and yoga

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

I once went to a bloke who prescribed a pint of petrol per diem for my spinal stenosis from a rugby injury. It didn’t cure the condition (I had lumbar surgery for that) but it definitely improved my mileage from 500 m to over 10 km a day. ⛽️

[@SAHarry]

Amazing! The wonders of hydrocarbons is untapped in modern society.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

@@SAHarry - 🙂

[@academicresearch2280]

Looking forward to another episode!

[@theGuardian]

Thank you for watching. With any luck they'll be out on a Monday for the rest of the month - Rich

[@shirleylim7233]

Absolutely fascinating, honest, informative, and helpful ❤

[@theGuardian]

Glad you enjoyed it! - Rich

[@martap8753]

Thank you for doing these series of videos! Would love to have videos about mental health. Keep up with the excellent work!

[@silverXnoise]

The latest research I have seen suggests that there is a link between respiratory infections in adolescence and MS symptoms appearing several years later. The hypothesis being that the respiratory infections somehow trigger the genetic components that alter the way our t-cells respond to perceived threats. I don't know how widely accepted this hypothesis is yet, but it certainly tracks with my own experience--I had to go to the emergency room on a few occasions as a young teen for nebulizer treatments after bouts of bronchitis, and I was diagnosed with MS at 18-years old after 80% of my lower body became numb with pins and needles. I really resented a lot of the people who suggested shit like diets and chiropractors and other woo-woo that--while good intentioned--seemed ignorant and insensitive to the seriousness of my condition. My course of MS has been blessedly mild thus far (I'm now 39 years old), but relapses occur frequently enough to keep me concerned. Living in the US as a self-employed individual, health insurance is a constant source of instability and frustration. Thanks for making this.

[@mwmingram]

Great series. Strikes just the right balance.

[@davidbentley4731]

Yeah I’m afraid we still need to stick to proper testing regimes (preferably double blind, but at least controlled studies). otherwise we will have no real and reliable idea whether any of this stuff works. If something actually works it should hold up to testing. This is not about men in white coats, it’s about generating reliable information.

[@myelocake7]

I believe these are not healings of a illness, but they definitely help.

[@dogmatictales]

I bet if he hired Lina as a personal trainer and dietician for six months he’d see dramatic results. That level of expertise isn’t available to the average person, sadly

[@theGuardian]

I suspect Lina's got enough on! But yes, not everyone has access to a personal trainer, or anything like it. Thanks for watching - Rich

[@dogmatictales]

@@theGuardian Hi Rich, thanks for your reply. I think by that comment I meant that her skills and expertise seemed uniquely beneficial as an athlete who manages the disease herself. But yes, not assuming she’s hiring herself out as a Personal trainer, haha. Looking forward to the next installment! Great content

[@judeross3875]

Thank you for this research and journalism.

[@Ava-km7tl]

Too many times I’ve seen ads that claim they’re able to “cure” my autism. I like myself how I am thanks

[@luxy8703]

Hi Ava, my daughter is neuro diverse too, alongside her physical health disability stuff going on. She has autism and adhd and they are part of her personality. Like you, she wouldn’t want someone to ‘cure her’ and neither would I , because She wouldn’t be the person she is. I think that person is pretty amazing. She has certainly taught me a lot. Including, that this isn’t just a diagnosis or a label but much bigger than that It is a fundamental part of who you are . People need to understand that. Of course , I wish somethings would be easier for her, as I sure some things may be frustrating in your life. That is down to society not changing to make life work better for you guys and all of us who are disabled in any way shape or form.

[@20storiesunder]

I saw one that was giving colourblind tests as "IQ tests"

[@Ava-km7tl]

@@luxy8703 yes! You get it! I’m so happy to see somebody else understand what it’s like. Yes, sometimes things will be harder for us, because of autism & adhd, but it’s part of who we are. You have no idea how happy I am that you understand. You’ve made my day, thank you

[@futuro2]

this is suuuuuuch an important topic!! thanks and plz make more episodes

[@theGuardian]

You're in luck... Next one hopefully out on Monday 8 Nov. Hope you continue to enjoy the series - Rich

[@joannagonsior2189]

Great series :) I have a chronic illness and what works for me is a mix of movement, diet, Chinese herbs and western medications. I started with the tablets prescribed by my western doctor but it turned out it was not enough to keep my illness at bay, so I started to look for other/additional remedies.

[@shaunmahone7998]

Really interesting

[@importantname]

weirdly thinking something is helping makes you feel better, in a minor way alternative therapies work for those who believe they work. The therapies rarely cure the targeted disease. Eat better food, think more positively, regular exercise, have fun, keep everything in moderation - life likely to be improved.

[@iphar]

Lina Nielsen gives major "Warrior Princess" vibes: kind, beautiful and fierce.

[@theGuardian]

Lina is great and was very kind in giving me her time and thoughts - Rich

[@Pearlsena]

I think Richard should try a carnivore diet or more specific a lion diet first. Nutrition with Judy, dr Ken Berry , dr anthony chaffe and foodlies are resources to start on getting information on how to navigate going through this diet. All the best Richard.

[@Ciachoo]

Literally nobody should try carnivore diet.

[@Pearlsena]

@@Ciachoo and you reason

[@fortablet2933]

You had a clip from oz?

[@feelgoodwithfibro]

My channel is dedicated to my struggle to overcome M.E./Fibromyalgia

[@bethbrockman445]

Dr. Terry Whals MS protocol

[@RRags]

What about Dr Brooke Goldner and her KZbin channel Goodbye Lupus? Very inspirational!

[@Steve_the_Lion]

I myself haven't been to a doctor in about 15 years. Every time I have a problem I use natural therapies and so far they haven't let me down.

[@sylviaoesterwinter8858]

See Dr. Gabor Mate's new book "The Myth of Normal" or his "When the Body Says No".

[@RRags]

Has anyone tried the documentary and website MS Hope?

[@Joker-yw9hl]

Fairplay Lina

[@hemanthkota1363]

more of this interactive content will make news more accessible to wide range of people.

[@claudiamariebermudez6727]

Clean up your diet....I was able to get rid of psoriasis by eating a healthy diet

[@ellanola6284]

Coimbra Protocol?

[@priyasingh-po5yr]

90% of our immunity is in the gut .and there is a Vagus nerve which directly connects the brain to the gut. hence read more on the gut microbiome. that what helps. al the triggers are in the gut which triggers the brain

[@Ciachoo]

>90% of our immunity is in the gut

[@keitymarley733]

My father just completed his Rheumatoid arthritis treatment from Madida Herbal Center, he is completely okay and cured now.|:

[@imperatorvespasian3125]

I can see a big future for think kind of treatment, I can see if not direct health benefits could very much help with mental health that could effect your overall health.👍

[@reeling-in]

That rich London bloke with the title, Starmer, he will be well warm and fed this winter in his second home!

[@lindaj5492]

3:18 “… and that can be proved …”. So where’s the published proof? This is an example of why there are professional registers - so the public can check credentials, training & qualifications: AND can be protected against malpractice and false claims. His claiming that many conditions start “here” (pointing to his head) is an insulting blame culture.

[@jillrossiter8757]

song is great

[@youknow6968]

Good luck, sincerely.

[@sancho7863]

How common are autoimmune diseases in hunter gatherer communities

[@heide-raquelfuss5580]

I want to know also. I asked myself this and just wonder...

[@eveningstar1]

I cured Grave’s Disease by doing a GI Map and irradiating H Pylori w matula tea.

[@anthonyjohnson4396]

Did I hear the name Alicia “Con”. Surely that is beyond irony

[@theslacker]

sometimes i fell like we're all living in a Kubrick scenario

[@treemonster-xy7in44]

Frequency therapy also maybe

[@richieped8163]

That particle board room is not doing you any good either.

[@scarba]

If it worked we would all be healthy. I suppose it’s ok for expensive relaxation.

[@CRD250]

It’s not “it” there are many different approaches and subjects here. Also you would have to try many of them to have that conclusion or know many people who have. Stress and bad diet isn’t good. Things that lead away from those must be worth while…

[@weird-guy]

MS sucks, i know that a person says acupuncture helps idk if is placebo or real, but the person feels better ao it doesnt matter.

[@heide-raquelfuss5580]

Look up the neurologist who treats MS. He is a neurologist in Brazil. The COIMBRA PROTOCOL. Dr. Coimbra.

[@tristanrodenhauser5267]

Is plywood chic the next exposed brick wall? The wellness tribe likes to ignore chronic and debilitating conditions.

[@theGuardian]

Technically it's OSB. And yes, probably already out of fashion. Thanks for watching! - Rich

[@garymathewson8760]

Eat a whole food plant based diet

[@corduladr.stening2509]

Oms= overcoming ms .my recommendation

[@theGuardian]

Definitely a resource worth checking out. Thanks for the comment - Rich

[@ccamire]

Totally right to focus on the gut microbiota. Do a test and try to find out the association between composition and certain diseases. Try to f8nd an artificial intelligence company to help you in the journey. Already a number of conditions are related to alzheimer and the gut. Good luck

[@simobonev4511]

Try Dr Lyudmila Emilova's fasting clinic in Bulgaria. She has a video of a very much improved patient with the same condition-Keranka on youtube.

[@marsukarhu9477]

Why are you shooing the poor cat away?

[@angelinasouren]

The cat was after the bird feeder. Eh, correction: "a bird box with a family of blue tits inside"

[@yesimemoin0935]

7:58 isn't 17 incredibly young to have been diagnosed with MS?

[@seanpadraigobrien1260]

Probably some jab she got in the last year or two

[@pandora8478]

Ppl are generally young adults when diagnosed but children have it too.

[@Ali-Bea]

@@seanpadraigobrien1260 Wink

[@pandora8478]

@@seanpadraigobrien1260 please don’t insult people who have it.

[@KimimiHealingArts]

you need CAT😻😻😻Therapy!!!!!

[@Sakura-pc9cp]

If you have unquestioningly adopted the mainstream model to the point that you automatically preframe anything outside of it as being “the alternative” worthy of incredulity, you are not a skeptic. Quite the opposite actually.

[@lindaj5492]

Actually, the scientific method is based on skepticism. Ever heard of a null hypothesis?

[@Sakura-pc9cp]

@@lindaj5492 yes I understand that “skepticism” is one of the tenets of the current widespread science-based ideology, however it means nothing in real world application. The phrase “trust the science” - which we’ve seen plastered everywhere over the past two years - is antithetical to skepticism and legitimate science, for example. Have the skepticism, curiosity, and genuine interest in the truth to look beyond the surface and you’ll see similar hypocrisy everywhere. The current scientific establishment is little more than a religious cult.

[@bertwoodshack6617]

Marketing hope is big business ...😞

[@peouspaul1258]

Neu5gc...

[@moviemaker159]

Check your vitamin D level. I would be very surprised if it isn't low.

[@agucci-e8x]

Rhere was no reason for him to yell at the cat other than for the camera. They dont eat vegetables, what's the problem. Does he have an open air mouse farm?

[@20storiesunder]

To show the type of person he is?

[@theGuardian]

At the risk of stirring the pot here, I saw a cat from down the road attempting to access a bird box with a family of blue tits inside. I actually really like cats but I also very much like garden birds and I worry about the damage cats can do to local wildlife populations. But that's probably a separate video. Thanks for watching! - Rich

[@20storiesunder]

@@theGuardian Clarification! Yeah cats will absolutely massacre their way through wildlife. Thought it was a deeper metaphor of you shooing away the mystical xD

[@theGuardian]

@@20storiesunder Yes, that too... cheers - Rich

[@angelinasouren]

@@theGuardian Thanks for explaining, Rich. It had made me curious too.

[@lindaj5492]

Not a cat lover then … 😂

[@sushie29]

The glued plywood on the walls is very toxic.I hope that is not his home. I might contribute to his MS

[@ricmay2837]

Can demons make people sick ? Pagan options ?

[@jazztheglass6139]

eat more meat, you'll be fine

[@brandon3872]

I'm glad it helps some people. I've tried it, and unfortunately it doesn't help me with my Graves disease and psoriasis.

[@theGuardian]

If only it were that simple. Thanks for watching - Rich

[@Mahamaat]

Atomic Therapy, Fitness, Nutrition try something real greetings i live with morbus bechterew. What real is if you have fun your symptomes will get better