The Dr. Hyman Show

Healing Autoimmune Disease Using A Functional Medicine Approach with Dr. Sunjya Schweig

Jan 6, 2023

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Sunjya Schweig, founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine, delves into the rising prevalence of autoimmune diseases and the limitations of conventional treatments. He emphasizes a holistic, functional medicine approach that targets root causes like diet and lifestyle. Dr. Schweig shares compelling case studies, innovative telemedicine solutions, and personal success stories, advocating for personalized care to revolutionize autoimmune health. Discover how functional medicine can pave the way for true healing!

53:20

Creator website

Episode guests

Sunjya Schweig

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Functional medicine targets lifestyle factors to treat autoimmune diseases, emphasizing diet, gut health, infections, and environmental triggers.

Eliminating processed foods, sugars, gluten & grains through an anti-inflammatory diet can reduce symptoms of autoimmune diseases.

Chronic infections like Lyme disease contribute to autoimmune conditions, and addressing them with targeted treatments can alleviate symptoms.

Deep dives

Functional Medicine and Autoimmune Disease

Functional medicine offers a unique approach to treating autoimmune diseases by focusing on lifestyle factors, such as diet, gut health, infections, and environmental triggers. By addressing the root causes of inflammation and immune system dysfunction, functional medicine aims to optimize health and create sustainable wellness.

Intro

4min

Understanding Autoimmune Diseases

8min

The Costly Disconnect: Understanding Autoimmune Treatment Approaches

3min

Understanding Autoimmune Health

28min

Revolutionizing Telemedicine: The Functional Medicine Checkup

7min

Shifting Perspectives on Autoimmune Health and Functional Medicine

3min

This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens and InsideTracker.

The array of frustrating symptoms that come along with autoimmune diseases leave those who are suffering constantly looking for answers. Simply put, autoimmune diseases—like rheumatoid arthritis, celiac sprue, inflammatory bowel, type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto’s, Graves’, lupus, fibromyalgia, and so many more—are conditions where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues rather than a foreign molecule like bacteria. This happens when something confuses the immune system.

Today, I’m joined by Dr. Sunjya Schweig to discuss why autoimmune issues are on the rise and how we can treat them using a Functional Medicine approach.

Sunjya K. Schweig, MD, is deeply committed to building a cutting-edge, data-driven ecosystem for the prevention and reversal of chronic illness. As the founder and president of the California Center for Functional Medicine, Dr. Schweig and his team provide personalized, precision medicine care to help people with chronic illness recover their health. In 2021, Dr. Schweig founded the Functional Medicine Research and Technology Center, which aims to prevent and reverse chronic illness through research, education, and innovation. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Schweig completed his MD at the University of California, Irvine, and his family medicine residency at the University of California, San Francisco, Family Practice Residency Program in Santa Rosa, CA. He is board certified in family practice (ABFM) integrative and holistic medicine (ABIHM).

This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens and InsideTracker.

AG1 contains 75 high-quality vitamins, minerals, whole-food sourced superfoods, probiotics, and adaptogens to support your entire body. Right now when you purchase AG1 from Athletic Greens, you will receive 10 FREE travel packs with your first purchase by visiting athleticgreens.com/hyman.

InsideTracker is a personalized health and wellness platform like no other. Right now they’re offering my community 20% off at insidetracker.com/drhyman.

Here are more details from the episode (audio version / Apple Subscriber version):

Common root causes of autoimmune disease (6:32 / 4:04)
Diet and gut health (8:49 / 6:23)
What is autoimmune disease? (9:39 / 7:12)
The most common autoimmune diseases (10:39 / 8:17)
The conventional medicine approach to treating autoimmune disease (12:17 / 9:50)
Case study of a patient Dr. Schweig treated (15:31 / 12:57)
Healing the gut with diet and foods to avoid when treating autoimmune disease (25:01 / 22:15)
My personal experience with autoimmune disease (34:33 / 32:25)
Chronic infections and autoimmune disease (35:57 / 33:22)
The California Center for Functional Medicine (42:47 / 40:21)

Learn more about the California Center for Functional Medicine and the Functional Medicine Research and Technology Center.