Ankylosing spondylitis, uveitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis are complex immune-mediated inflammatory diseases affecting millions worldwide. Nevertheless, the root causes remain elusive to most medical professionals after nearly fifty years of research. However, in the past ten years, promising information about the root causes and potential cures has come to light. For example, we now know that the human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) is a significant genetic risk factor for this family of diseases, referred to as spondyloarthropathies (SpAs). We also know that gut microbial imbalances, intestinal permeability, and uncontrolled immune and inflammatory responses trigger all. Perhaps most importantly, we know that targeting the gut microbiome with diet and herbal medicine can help manage SpAs successfully.
While most medical professionals have heard about the gut microbiome, only a handful can tell you about specific dietary and herbal interventions required to help manage SpAs. Instead, most doctors routinely recommend toxic pharmaceuticals, typically biologics, which offer a mere forty percent improvement rate. Since medications do not completely relieve SpAs, we can use dietary and herbal medicine interventions to improve treatment outcomes.
As someone challenged by HLA-B27-related gut, joint, and eye inflammation, I can tell you that a tailored anti-inflammatory diet plus herbal medicine has markedly decreased the severity of my symptoms. As a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I have helped many patients improve with this approach. Now, after an in-depth review of the most salient research regarding the impact of HLA-B27 on disease expression and the importance of marshaling the gut microbiome to balance the immune system, in this book, I offer a unique model for managing SpAs with diet and herbal medicine.
Ultimately you will learn about dietary and herbal medicine strategies that support the gut microbiome, balance the immune system, and slow disease progression. Whether consuming a Standard American Diet or the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), you will discover detailed lists of the most healing foods to include and the ones to eliminate specifically for those with HLA-B27-related diagnoses. You will also find a few recipes to try. But first, the following short questionnaire will help you determine whether or not my new book, The B27 Diet, may be helpful.
The B27-Diet Questionnaire
| GENERAL SCREENING | YES | NO |
| Diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (r-axSpa or nr-axSpA) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Diagnosed with Anterior Uveitis/Iritis | ☐ | ☐ |
| Diagnosed with Oligoarticular Asymmetric Synovitis | ☐ | ☐ |
| Diagnosed with Reactive Arthritis | ☐ | ☐ |
| Diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis | ☐ | ☐ |
| Diagnosed with Enthesitis Related Arthritis | ☐ | ☐ |
| Diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis | ☐ | ☐ |
| Diagnosed with IBD related Arthritis | ☐ | ☐ |
| DIET SCREENING FOODS HIGH IN STARCH AND ADDED SUGARS What do you notice after eating foods high in starch and added sugars? Examples include rice, bread, pasta, pastries, cakes, cookies, candy, soda, commercial cereals, cereal bars, and granola. | YES | NO |
| Digestive issues (gas/bloating/diarrhea/constipation) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Joint inflammation (pain and stiffness in the spine and other joints) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Eye inflammation (flare-up of anterior uveitis/iritis) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Skin inflammation (flare-up of psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Nothing | ☐ | ☐ |
| FOODS HIGH IN GLYCOALKALOIDS What do you notice after eating nightshades that are high in glycoalkaloids? Examples include Anaheim peppers, cayenne, chili peppers, eggplant, habanero peppers, jalapenos, potatoes, serrano peppers, sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, and tomatillos. | YES | NO |
| Digestive issues (gas/bloating/diarrhea/constipation) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Joint inflammation (pain and stiffness in the spine and other joints) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Eye inflammation (flare-up of anterior uveitis/iritis) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Skin inflammation (flare-up of psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis) | ☐ | ☐ |
Nothing | ☐ | ☐ |
| FOODS HIGH IN FODMAPS What do you notice after eating foods high in FODMAPs i.e., fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols? Examples include wheat, beans, lentils, garlic, shallots, onions, dairy, apples, dried fruit, canned fruit, stone fruit, and fruit juices. | YES | NO |
| Digestive issues (gas/bloating/diarrhea/constipation) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Joint inflammation (pain and stiffness in the spine and other joints) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Eye inflammation (flare-up of anterior uveitis/iritis) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Skin inflammation (flare-up of psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Nothing | ☐ | ☐ |
| FOODS HIGH IN SATURATED FAT What do you notice after eating foods high in saturated fats? Examples include palm oil, coconut oil, ghee, butter, fatty cuts of meat, duck fat, lard, tallow, organ meats, sausage, and bacon. | YES | NO |
| Digestive issues (gas/bloating/diarrhea/constipation) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Joint inflammation (pain and stiffness in the spine and other joints) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Eye inflammation (flare-up of anterior uveitis/iritis) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Skin inflammation (flare-up of psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Nothing | ☐ | ☐ |
If you have any of the above HLA-27-related diagnoses and notice a flare-up of symptoms from one or more of these food categories, The B27-Diet may be helpful.
