Unlocking Epigenetics: How to Control Your Genes for a Healthier You With Dr. David Bilstrom
Overview
In this episode we dive into all things health, with Dr. David Bilstrom, a leading expert in the field of autoimmune diseases, functional medicine, and epigenetics! His comprehensive medical background includes four board certifications, making him a leading expert in addressing the root causes of chronic health issues through holistic and functional approaches. This episode is a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in taking charge of their health and learning about holistic and functional methods to live a disease-free life.
What You Will Learn
00:00 | Intro
6:24 | Dr. David Bilstrom's Journey Through Multiple Medical Specializations
13:30 | Understanding and Preventing Chronic & Autoimmune Diseases
18:24 | Understanding Epigenetics and Its Impact on Health
22:24 | The Health Benefits of Butter
25:28 | Epigenetics and Environmental Factors in Autoimmunity
34:55 | The Impact of Light on Health and Circadian Rhythms
40:59 | Self-Healing
44:05 | Challenges of the Immune System
50:32 | The Connection Between Leaky Gut and Brain Health
54:17 | The Central Role of Vitamin D
59:16 | Optimizing Gut Health with Probiotics and Vitamin D
Resources
Dr. David Bilstrom
Free 7-Day Medical Bill Detox
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Unlocking Health: Epigenetics, Autoimmunity, and Proactive Wellness
Key Takeaways:
Epigenetics over Genetics: It's not the genes we have, but which ones are turned on or off that truly impact our health.
Self-Healing and Prevention: Individuals have the power to reverse chronic illnesses and prevent future diseases.
Central Mechanisms in Wellness: Incorporating simple habits and understanding foundational health principles can lead to profound health improvements.
The Power of Epigenetics in Control of Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases have seen a significant rise, particularly among women, with 80% of those diagnosed being female. Dr. David Bilstrom, a quadruple board-certified MD, explains that this is not solely due to genetic predisposition but rather the result of which genes are activated or deactivated—a concept known as epigenetics.
"It turns out it's not what genes we have, it's which ones get turned on and turned off." - Dr. David Bilstrom
Epigenetics alters how genes express themselves without changing the genetic code itself. This means that lifestyle and environmental factors are pivotal in managing our health. For instance, engaging in meditation or deep breathing works through epigenetics, flipping our genes in a beneficial way. Supplements like butyrate and tudka are also powerful tools that work on epigenetic mechanisms to improve overall health.
Exploring the impact of stress, environmental toxins, and medications reveals how these factors can disrupt our epigenetics, leading to numerous chronic health issues. It's a reminder that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential, but sometimes not enough due to the current challenges in our environment.
Functional Medicine: A Pathway to Reversing Chronic Illnesses
Dr. Bilstrom emphasizes that the approach to treating autoimmune diseases through functional medicine—aimed at understanding and addressing the root causes—can significantly improve health outcomes. Functional medicine goes beyond merely suppressing symptoms with medications that often come with side effects.
"All healing is self healing." - Dr. David Bilstrom
To guide individuals towards self-healing, Dr. Bilstrom offers a free online educational email course that delves deep into the primary mechanisms driving autoimmune and chronic diseases. The course covers foundational topics such as the role of the gut, stress hormone cortisol, chronic infections, hormone imbalances, and environmental toxins.
This educational initiative aims to empower individuals by providing them with the knowledge needed to take proactive steps towards their health. Central to this approach is maintaining a healthy gut, optimizing vitamin D receptors, reducing exposure to environmental toxins, and engaging in simple practices such as getting early morning sunlight.
Exploring the Complex Relationship between Vaccines and Autoimmunity
One contentious and complex subject within public health and individual wellness is the role of vaccines. Dr. Bilstrom discusses the delicate balancing act faced by our immune systems when confronted with vaccine components. This balancing act is especially crucial because not all individuals react to vaccines in the same way.
"Anything that comes in from the outside, that's not us., that's going to kind of stress out the immune system.” - Dr. David Bilstrom
Vaccines contain preservatives and stabilizers, often metals like aluminum and mercury, which can challenge the immune system. In some individuals, particularly those with already compromised immune systems, these components can trigger autoimmune responses. This phenomenon is encapsulated in "Autoimmune Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA)."
It is crucial to understand that these reactions are not uniform, and while most people tolerate vaccines well, a significant minority may experience adverse reactions. Genetic factors, environmental exposures, and individual health history play a role in these differences.
This adds a layer of complexity to the vaccination debate, emphasizing the need for personalized health approaches and informed decisions based on comprehensive health assessments.
Empowering Patients and Practitioners Alike
Dr. Bilstrom's overarching message is one of empowerment. He stresses the importance of being proactive about one’s health, understanding the underlying mechanisms of diseases, and making informed decisions. By leveraging the available knowledge and tools, individuals can significantly improve their health outcomes.
"People can do profound things for their own health." - Dr. David Bilstrom
Implementing foundational health habits, such as using high-quality blue light blocking glasses, getting early morning sunlight exposure, and considering specific supplements like butyrate and tudka, can collectively lead to substantial health improvements.
Moreover, practitioners are encouraged to integrate these advanced understandings of functional medicine and epigenetics into their practice, enabling them to provide more holistic and effective treatments for their patients. The vision is clear: to have available specialists in every community who can guide individuals through their health journeys, reducing the prevalence of chronic and autoimmune diseases through education and proactive care.
A vivid illustration of this approach is the importance of the foundational triad of vitamin D, probiotics, and butyrate. This combination helps combat vitamin D receptor resistance, a central mechanism influencing chronic diseases and overall health. The success of fixing this receptor resistance showcases how tackling central issues can lead to broad health benefits.
By understanding these key principles and incorporating them into daily life, individuals can become the practitioners of their own health, leveraging the power of epigenetics, functional medicine, and informed lifestyle choices to reverse chronic diseases and prevent future health issues. The knowledge is there; it is up to each person to embrace it and take control of their health destiny.