Podcast Summary: "Why 80% of Autoimmune Diseases Happen to Women & Solutions From a Renowned MD"
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Mel Robbins Podcast
- Host: Mel Robbins
- Episode Title: Why 80% of Autoimmune Diseases Happen to Women & Solutions From a Renowned MD
- Release Date: February 3, 2025
- Description: Mel Robbins delves into the alarming rise of autoimmune diseases among women, featuring insights from Dr. Sarah Saul, a leading physician and author on the subject.
1. Introduction to the Topic
Mel Robbins opens the episode by highlighting the viral impact of a video featuring Dr. Gabor Mate discussing the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in women. This surge in interest prompted her to host Dr. Sarah Saul, a renowned expert in autoimmune conditions, to provide a comprehensive masterclass on the subject.
Notable Quote:
"Why 80% of autoimmune diseases happen to women. Holy cow."
— Mel Robbins [00:01]
2. Understanding Autoimmune Diseases
Dr. Sarah Saul defines autoimmune diseases as conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, likening it to a "civil war" within the body. She explains the concept of autoantibodies and how they contribute to various autoimmune conditions.
Notable Quotes:
"Autoimmune disease is when you've got a problem with your immune system. It becomes imbalanced, and it starts to attack your normal tissues."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [08:46]
"You can think of it like a case of mistaken identity... your immune system is attacking normal tissue."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [08:46]
3. Prevalence of Autoimmune Diseases in Women
Dr. Saul emphasizes that autoimmune diseases are significantly more prevalent in women, with four times the incidence compared to men. She attributes this disparity to a combination of biological and socio-cultural factors, including higher stress levels, greater exposure to trauma, and hormonal changes unique to women.
Notable Quotes:
"Four times more women than men."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [33:50]
"It's a health hazard to be female in our culture."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [35:17]
4. Root Causes of Autoimmune Diseases
Dr. Saul outlines three primary root causes of autoimmune diseases:
- Genetic Predisposition: Genetic factors that make individuals more susceptible.
- Leaky Gut: Increased intestinal permeability that allows harmful substances to trigger the immune system.
- Triggers: Events or conditions such as trauma, hormonal changes, or toxic stress that activate the autoimmune response.
Notable Quotes:
"Number one, genetic predisposition. Number two, leaky gut... number three, a trigger."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [16:50]
5. Leaky Gut Explained
Leaky gut refers to the weakening of the intestinal barrier, allowing bacteria, viruses, and food particles to enter the bloodstream, which then triggers an immune response. Dr. Saul connects this to the high percentage of the immune system located in the gut, explaining how its compromise leads to systemic inflammation and autoimmunity.
Notable Quotes:
"Leaky gut is a loss of a boundary in your body."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [19:04]
"When you have leaky gut... you're triggering the immune system in a way that it's not meant to be triggered."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [20:45]
6. Triggers: Trauma and Hormonal Changes
Trauma emerges as the leading trigger for autoimmune diseases. Dr. Saul discusses how unresolved trauma, especially from childhood, can dysregulate the body's stress response, leading to chronic inflammation and immune confusion. Hormonal changes, particularly those experienced during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause, also play a significant role in triggering autoimmune responses.
Notable Quotes:
"The number one trigger is trauma... toxic stress is a huge category."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [21:02]
"Pregnancy... immune system has to adapt to this foreign substance."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [21:02]
7. Lifestyle Medicine as a Solution
Dr. Saul advocates for a lifestyle medicine approach, which focuses on addressing the root causes of autoimmune diseases through diet, stress management, and lifestyle modifications rather than solely relying on pharmaceuticals.
Notable Quotes:
"Lifestyle medicine is probably the most effective approach, at least in the beginning."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [25:00]
"You can address the root cause... This is where you get lasting change."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [30:37]
8. Testing and Diagnosis
To identify autoimmune diseases, Dr. Saul recommends comprehensive testing, including:
- Complete Blood Count with Differential
- Inflammation Markers: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR)
- Metabolic Assessments: Glucose and insulin levels
- Hormonal Profiles: Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, vitamin D
Notable Quotes:
"You want to test your immune system... Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [61:35]
9. Healing Through Lifestyle Changes
Dr. Saul outlines actionable steps to heal and prevent autoimmune diseases:
- Elimination Diet: Removing gluten, dairy, alcohol, and sugar to repair leaky gut.
- Stress Management: Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga to regulate the nervous system.
- Addressing Trauma: Therapeutic interventions to resolve stored trauma affecting the body's immune response.
Notable Quotes:
"If you can't test, do an elimination diet. Give up gluten, dairy, sugar, and alcohol for three weeks."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [63:30]
"Your breath is the most underutilized health tool in the world."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [72:15]
10. Specific Autoimmune Conditions Discussed
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
An autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss.
Notable Quotes:
"Hashimoto's thyroiditis is nine times more common in women than men."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [76:45]
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
A condition where standing up causes an abnormal increase in heart rate, leading to dizziness and fainting.
Notable Quotes:
"POTS is postural orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome... it's part of long Covid."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [78:58]
11. Hope and Empowerment
Dr. Saul emphasizes that while genetics cannot be changed, addressing leaky gut and eliminating triggers can significantly reduce the risk and impact of autoimmune diseases. She encourages listeners to take control of their health through manageable lifestyle changes, fostering a sense of empowerment and hope.
Notable Quotes:
"You can make small changes. Bit by bit, those small changes add up to major transformation."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [70:35]
"It's so much easier to get into a state of regulation than it is to live with the misery of being dysregulated."
— Dr. Sarah Saul [88:01]
12. Final Thoughts
Mel Robbins concludes the episode by reiterating the importance of taking proactive steps towards health, validating listeners' experiences, and encouraging them to embrace the body's innate ability to heal when given the right conditions.
Notable Quotes:
"Your body is this magical Amazing thing that is designed to heal. And you just taught us how to activate that within ourselves."
— Mel Robbins [89:22]
Conclusion:
This episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast provides a comprehensive exploration of autoimmune diseases, particularly their prevalence in women. Through expert insights from Dr. Sarah Saul, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the underlying causes, the significant impact of trauma and lifestyle factors, and practical steps to mitigate risks and promote healing. The conversation empowers individuals to take control of their health by addressing root causes, thus fostering hope and actionable change.