Welcome to the Phoenix Helix podcast dedicated to maximizing autoimmune health through the paleo

diet and lifestyle. While there is no cure for autoimmune disease, the choices we make every day

can have a powerful impact on how we feel. I'm Eileen Laird, your host from PhoenixHelix.com, and I reduced my

rheumatoid arthritis pain by 95%, which took me from a life of excruciating

pain and disability back to a full and beautiful life. A short disclaimer, I'm neither a doctor

nor a nutritionist and the opinions expressed here are personal. Always consult with your

health care team before making medical decisions. Now let's get on to the show.

Welcome to episode 140. Our topic today is autoimmunity and the brain. If you've ever experienced brain fog, anxiety, or mood issues alongside your autoimmune symptoms, you're not alone.

Doctors know that mental health issues often increase with an autoimmune diagnosis,

but it was always assumed that this was simply an emotional response to living with the challenges of

chronic illness, and indeed that is part of it. But for many patients, it just didn't explain the severity

of brain symptoms. They knew it had to be more than that.

A new scientific discovery has now filled in that missing puzzle piece. There are cells in the

brain called microglia that are actually part of the immune system. And just as our body's immune system

can go into overdrive and cause chronic inflammation

with autoimmune disease, the same thing can happen in our brains.

My guest is Donna Jackson Nakazawa.

She is a science journalist and author of numerous books which focus on the mind-body

connection and autoimmune health.

She herself has autoimmune disease, and her latest book is called

The Angel and The Assassin, and it's all about these little brain cells and how they can help us

or harm us. Welcome to the show, Donna. Hi, Eileen. It's so great to be back. So for our listeners,

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