The Immune System is a complex web of agents that protects the body from foreign invaders. It consists of white blood cells and barrier systems like the skin, lungs, mucous membranes, gut lining, and the blood/brain barrier. The human body is in a constant state of transition with cells constantly dying and being replaced by new and better functioning cells. On a daily basis, our immune systems are exposed to numerous chemicals and toxins, including the toxins present in our food/water supply, our environment and our medications such as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and immuno-suppressant drugs.  If the Immune System is not functioning properly, these toxins, along with the dying cells, will remain in the body too long and can become hazardous to our health.
To further understand Auto-Immune Disorders, it is important understand the difference between Auto-Immune reactions and Auto-Immune Disease. Auto-Immune reactions are when the Immune System is attacking the body. This can be an attack on any tissue in the body, such as an enzyme as seen in Hashitmoto’s thyroiditis, the central nervous system as in Multiple Sclerosis, or cartilage as in Rheumatoid Arthritis. In many cases, these reactions can occur for years before the autoimmune process reaches the point where tissue destruction is great enough to cause symptoms. When symptoms begins, the autoimmune process is now considered a disease. It is only once the autoimmune process has reached this point that your medical doctor will recognize it as an issue, despite the fact that you have been experiencing symptoms for years.
At Camarillo Functional Health, Dr. Michael Veselak focuses his treatment on recognizing these autoimmune reactions early on, before they reach the “tissue destruction” phase and have the opportunity to progress to an Auto-Immune Disease. As a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner and Board Certified in Integrative Medicine serving Thousand Oaks & Westlake Village, Dr. Michael Veselak uses specific lab tests and functional ranges to detect early signs of autoimmune reactions. The key is to address the underlying triggers that are causing the autoimmune reactions. This involves removing the autoimmune triggers from the body and balancing the different parts of the Immune System. Rather than using the medical approach of prescribing medication to suppress the autoimmune symptoms, Dr. Veselak uses a functional medicine approach by incorporating metabolic, neurological and state-of-the-art technologies to find and treat the actual cause of the autoimmune symptoms.
One key component to all autoimmune disorders is “Leaky Gut” syndrome, or intestinal permeability. When foods are consumed which cause an autoimmune reaction, the lining of the intestines becomes inflamed, and after prolonged inflammation, the gut lining becomes weak and permeable. This is the start of “Leaky Gut” Syndrome, where unwanted molecules and bacteria make their way into the body, causing further inflammation in the gut, body and brain. Â Because 70-80% of the Immune System resides in the gut, it is imperative that the beginning of any autoimmune treatment begin here. Dr. Michael Veselak utilizes specialized labs to test the autoimmune patient for any food sensitivities and immediately removes those foods from the diet.
Once the gut begins to heal, Dr. Veselak will work further into the metabolic and neurological aspects of care by identifying and correcting dysbiosis, regulating abnormal blood sugar, detecting abnormal thyroid function, hormone imbalances, abnormal liver and/or gallbladder function and poor digestion, anemia, and poor brain function. Due to the complexity of Auto-Immune Disorders, the length of treatment may vary depending on the severity of the case and the patients cooperation with Dr. Veselak’s Auto-Immune Repair Protocol.
